Clyde Stryker receives national attention
Grand Ronde tribal member, Clyde Stryker, owner of Spirit Communications in Sherwood,
Oregon has been appointed to the White House Conference on Small Business. As one of
8 representatives from Oregon, Clyde will meet with the small business owners to carry
their concerns to President Clinton at the White House. Since his appointment, Clyde has
made several trips around the state to meet with tribal leaders, and Native American busi
ness owners to discuss issues hindering small business development in the State and in
Indian country.
The White House Conference on Small Business was created as a communication mecha
nism between small business owners and the President and his chief advisors. Small busi
nesses are currently the number one employer of Americans, so the success of entrepre
neurial ventures is critical to the U.S. economy. The May 1 6, 1 995 issue of Inc. magazine
highlights U.S. small business activity. In 1990 there were 8.8 million self-employed Ameri
cans; a 54 increase from 1975. U.S. small businesses account for more than one-half of
the sales of all goods and services in the U.S. and create 2 out of 3 new jobs. Given the
current impact of small business on the U.S. economy, President Clinton is prudent to
begin looking at business activity.
Clyde recently attended a regional delegate meeting in San Francisco, and will go to
Washington, DC in July. Conference delegates will meet with President Clinton and his
staff at the White House.
Clyde began Spirit Communications in 1994. The company specializes in data and tele
communications networks. The company currently employs over 20 people, and is grow
ing daily. In addition to growing his new company, Clyde is setting up the Oregon Ameri
can Indian Chamber of Commerce. If you are interested in small business issues, contact
Clyde at 503-628-0257.
Home-based business specialist hired
Small Business Development has a new smiling face. Sanda (please call her Sam) Henny,
formerly with Spirit Mountain Development Corporation has taken the Home-Based Busi
ness Specialist position within the department. Sam is a talented painter, and is enthusias
tic about developing an arts and crafts market for Grand
Ronde craftspeople.
Sam has over 15 years of small business experience,
and is an ON ABEN Greenhouse program graduate. She
was with Henny and Sons Nursery for over 1 8 years.
As the office manager, Sam was responsible for pro
curement, accounting, and sales. Sam brings a great
deal of problem solving skills, and enthusiasm to her
new position.
Within the next couple of months, Sam will be con
ducting a survey to determine the areas of expertise,
and the challenges facing Grand Ronde arts and crafts
people. If you are active in arts and crafts, be sure to
respond, so that your needs can be considered in the
planning process. Sam will work with Tribal members to: (1) develop markets to sell arts
and craft items, (2) develop wholesale supply sources, and (3) develop an arts and crafts
retail outlet.
Welcome to Small Business Development, Sam?
Elaine Moore, SBD Division Manager
Elaine Moore, formerly Small Business Develop
ment Specialist, has been named the new Division
Manager. Before coming to Grand Ronde, Elaine
owned and operated a commercial fishing boat for over
20 years, and has worked for several of the Washing
ton tribes, Elaine worked at the Lower Elwa Tribe as
General Manager and the Squaxin Tribe as the Social
Services Director.
Elaine has been with Small Business Development
for 3 years, and her area of expertise is accounting and
taxes. She has assisted tribal member-owned businesses
in setting up and maintaining computerized account
ing systems, inventory management and cash manage
ment systems, and with taxation issues.
f
- il
v v
Entrepreneur of the Month
Joann Mercier
By Tracy Dugan
Joann Mercier is entrepreneur of
the month. She owns White Buffalo
Trading Post, a craft and beadwork
home-based business.
Joann, who is well-known for her
beadwork in Grand Ronde, will take
orders for earrings, jewelry, breast
plates, chokers, dream catchers, talk
ing feathers, medicine wheels, and
craft supplies.
White Buffalo has been in business
for nearly eight years. "Christmas and
pow-wow season are my busiest times
of the year," she said. "People want regalia
and gift items."'
Currently, Joann is working as an Em
ployment and Training Counselor for the
Tribe, as well as going to school on nights
and weekends. "My crafts are really an
important part of my life," she said. "I wish
I had more time to devote to it."
Joann has been doing traditional Native
crafts for twenty years. She learned how to
bead right after her oldest son was born, and
they were living in Eugene. "A woman
named Wilma Crowe taught me," Joann
said. "I always admired everything she did.
Her work seemed perfect to me."
When Joann began to sell her beadwork,
she decided to save up for a tipi, and put all
I TxP "1 1
j f . fa J
of her profits into
achieving that
goal. When she
bought one, she
assembled it in
her yard, and
named it Wilma.
It was a very
popular place for
her children and
their friends to
sleep and camp
in. One day, a
sleeping bag
caught on fire,
and Wilma burn
ed down.
Joann has since owned many tipis, but
none that had the special sign ificance as the
first one she saved so long for.
Many of Joann's crafts have been dis
played for sale at local businesses. Cur
rently, she has some items at the Busy Hands
craft store in Grand Ronde. She usually re
ceives many calls from interested people,
who see her work on display.
In addition to White Buffalo Trading Post,
Joann also owns Executive Limousine Ser
vice. She owns one limo, has a hired driver,
and rents out the car for weddings, proms,
or just nights on the town.
If you are interested in contacting Joann
about crafts, beadwork, or the limousine ser
vice, please call her at 879-555 1 .
Education, continued from page 5
1994-95 Academic Year Graduates
EDUCATION TRUST FUND SCHOLARSHIPS
Pete Wakeland: Oregon State University, B.S. School of Forestry
Chadwick Stryker: Oregon State University, B.S. School of Engineering
HIGHER EDUCA TION PROGRAM
Dana Leno: Oregon State University, B.S. Home Economics of Family Development
Delight Satter: University of Washington, B.A. Anthropology
Lisa Leno: Oregon State University, B.S. Home Economics of Family Development
Eric Jordan: Dartmouth College, B.A. Liberal Arts
ADULT VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM
Rose Marie Dilling: Phagan's School of Beauty, Certificate of Hair DesignCosmetology
HIGH SCHOOL
Jason Mercier: Willamina High School
Chris Bailey: Willamina High School
Dustin Leno: Willamina High School
Celeste Wolf: Willamina High School
8th GRADE
Jenny Bailey: Willamina Middle School
Amelia Haug: Willamina Middle School
Brianna Leno: Willamina Middle School
Joe Mercier: Willamina Middle School
Brandon Robertson: Willamina Middle
School
Justin Phillips: Tillamook High School
Rebecca Gilliam: La Creole High School
Trecna Connelly: Willamina High School
Amber Finney: Pateros High School
Levi Leibclt: Willamina Middle School
Billy Deloe: Neah-Kah-nie Jr. High
Justin Leno: Tillamook Jr. High
Nick Bailey: Willamina Middle School
Dustin Billings: Willamina Middle School
Jamie Clark: Chapman Middle School
An Honors Recognition Reception will be held for all of the Graduates at the
Tribal Community Center on June 16 at 5:30 p.m. Please plan to attend.