Page 2 June 15, 1995 Smoke Signals
More reasons to participate in the Tribal Council elections
By Tracy Dugan
Once again this year there are
a large number of candidates
running for positions on Tribal
Council. The newsletter plays
a role in helping to introduce
the candidates to the tribal
membership by printing com
ments from each of them along
with a photo. This is in orderto
help voters who live outside
the community learn more
about the people who are run
ning. This year there are fourteen
candidates. Some changes have
been made by the Election
Committee regarding voting
procedures and how the names
will appear on the ballot. They
are in random order, not alpha
betical order, to avoid confu
sion between candidates who
may have the same names, etc.
I've been coordinating the
tribal newsletter for three years
now, and every summer I write
an editorial urging tribal mem
bers to vote in the election, no
Office of Tribal Justice
By Mark Mercier
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matter where they may reside
in Oregon, or for that matter,
the nation.
I have explained the impor
tance of each vote, the careful
selection each tribal member
must make in order to ensure
the best and most qual ified can
didates are elected into office.
I have addressed those tribal
members who live out of state,
who may think that the Tribe
has nothing to offer them
that tribal actions and decisions
are of no consequence if you
are not a local member.
I won't go through all that
again this year. Except to say
that the Election Committee
has passed several new ordi
nances making it extremely
easy for everyone to vote. For
example, all registered voters
will automatically receive an
absentee ballot in the mail. All
anyone has to do is read about
the candidates in the August 1
edition of Smoke Signals, make
On June 2nd and 3rd Tribal
Council member Kathryn
Harrison, Ed Larsen, along with
tribal attorney Michael Mason and
I travelled to Salt Lake City to at
tend the Northwest American In
dian Justice Conference, hosted
by the United States Department
of Justice.
Attorney General Janet Reno
and Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah
were the keynote speakers at the
conference. Reno told the tribes
that on January 30 the Department
Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347 ATTN: Kim Mueller
their selections, and mail the
ballot back. It's never been
this easy!
Of course, if you would like
to vote in the election, but you
are not registered, you may do
so in the Enrollment Office any
time between now and the elec
tion. You can even register on
election day.
In addition, for those of you
who found last year's
Candidate's Forum informa
tive, the Election Committee is
holding another one this July at
the Community Center. It will
be on Sunday, July, 1 6 from 1 -3
p.m.
Tribal members will be able
to ask the candidates questions
aboutthe significant issues fac
ing the Tribe in the upcoming
year. All voters are encour
aged to attend.
This is an ideal chance to find
out how candidates feel about
the specific tribal areas you
care about most.
discussed at Listening
of Justice created the Office of
Tribal Justice. This office was
established to serve as the coordi
nation center for all Department
of Justice activities relating to
Native Americans.
The mission of the Office of
Tribal Justice will be to coordinate
and focus the Department's poli
cies and positions on Native
American issues, maintain liaison
with the federally recognized In
dian tribes, and work with appro
priate federal, state, and local of
I
Tribal Council
Elections
September 1995 at the
Tribal Community Center
Candidates will be featured
in the August Smoke Signals
TO ALL TRIBAL COUNCIL CANDIDATES
August 1 st Smoke Signals will print profiles of all Council
Candidates for this year.
You must submit your statement and photo of yourself by July 10,
1995 in order for it to be printed.
Your statement must be 400 words or less.
We will be available to take a photo of you, if you don't have one
you want to publish.
Call Tracy or Kim if you have any questions. Our numbers are
1-800-422-0232, or 879-2254.
ficials, professional associations,
and public interest groups. The
major functions are as follows.
Communicate with the tribal rep
resentatives on Department issues
of concern to tribes.
Ensure that the Department's
policies and positions are clearly
communicated to tribes.
Maintain liaison between the De
partment and the various divisions
and bureaus of the Department
and the state, county and local
governments, professional organi
EDITORIAL POLICY: Letters From Our Readers
Smoke Signals is a publication of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand
Ronde Community of Oregon. We have recently adopted an Editorial
Policy that encourages input from readers about stories printed in Smoke
Signals, as well as other tribal issues.
Letters must be printed or typed, and cannot exceed 300 words. Smoke
Signals reserves the right to edit any letter for clarity and length, and to
refuse publication of any letter or any part of a letter that may contain
libelous statements or personal attacks. Not all letters are guaranteed
publication upon submission. Published letters do not necessarily reflect
the opinions of Smoke Signals, tribal employees, or Tribal Council.
Mail letters to: SMOKE SIGNALS, 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand
Ronde, OR 97347. ATTN: Tracy Dugan
Conference
zations, special interest groups,
and private entities with interests
or responsibilities in tribal matters.
Coordinate federal Indian policy
with federal agencies that have a
role in Indian Country.
The actions taken by Reno and
her staff deserve recognition and
appreciation by all Indian tribes
throughout the nation. The Tribe
is grateful for all the support that
the Department of Justice and the
Oregon District United States At
torney Office has given.
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