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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 1996)
OR. COLL. Ill 'jw'iu&samiww GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING Sunday, February 4 at 1 1:30 a.m. Tribal Community Center Meal Provided Everyone is welcome to attend INSIDE: Enrollment Report, page 3 Casino Liquor Ordinance, page 6 Royalty Information, page 8 J" n I I I Eric Anderson, Fish and Wildlife Coordinator Fish and Wildlife program update The Fall and Winter months have been productive ones for the tribal Fish and Wildlife department. The Day Use Park located on the reservation is nearing comple tion, and the official opening is scheduled for this Spring. The park is located along Agency Creek and includes five separate picnic areas and 3,000 feet of recreational trail. Eric Anderson said that before it officially opens to the public, he would like to create some educational signs for visitors. "If there are any tribal members who know about the cultural and historical significance of the plant life sur rounding the park, we'd like to put some of the informa tion on signs throughout the trail," he said. There are many plants on the reservation that were used historically by Grand Ronde Indians for medicinal purposes, food, and crafts. If you know about any, please contact Eric at the Natural Resource office. The Fish and Wildlife department received a grant from the National Marine Fisheries Service that helped employ fisherman to work on the reservation, and was received in conjunction with Polk County Soil and Water Conservation Services. In 1996, the grant will enable the fisherman to help complete the Day Use Park and plant between 4,000 8,000 trees on the reservation lands. Said Eric, "We will be planting Western Red Cedar, Western Hemlock, and Douglas Fir this year, as well as continuing our stream restoration projects." Also, for those of you wishing to fish on the reservation, Karen Larsen, Fish and Wildlife Assistant Coordinator, will issue a hunting and fishing licence to tribal members prior to heading up to the reservation. Although the licences are required identification when hunt ing or fishing on the reservation, they are free and permanent. "Please call for an appointment to receive your licence at least one hour before coming to Grand Ronde," said Karen. "Also, we want to remind members that the 1996 Fish and Wildlife Handbooks will be available in April." If you have any questions about the Day Use Park or hunting and fishing licences, please contact Eric or Karen at extension 2376. University of Oregon Librar Received on: 01-31-96 Smoke signals 4 ill J" - w Am : t - -- r u 'Mm.' . " -J- - PICTURED AT TOP: Natural structures in Agency Creek at the Day Use Park. BELOW: Structures created last summer by Natural Resource crews. Due to the winter storms, Mother Nature has helped debris collect in these structures making it a great success. V. -r f ... i M Aar wiiimai wmmH iimmh JSW.f tin?: Tribe donates tO local Head Start programs: Over $1,500 contributed since Casino opened A v x 1 y r w he Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community and Spirit Mountain Casino are donating the financial offerings left at the statue of Martha Jane Sands, located just inside the Casino entrance, to local Head Start programs to assist in the education and development of disadvantaged children. In addition, the Casino will match the statue offerings, currently over $ 1 ,500, as part of the donation to the Head Start programs. Offerings to Martha Jane, which have varied from bouquets of flowers to cash donations, usually in the form of coins, began appearing at the base of the bronze statue shortly after the Casino opened in mid-October of 1995. "In many cultures, including our Tribe's, people make offerings to the departed to honor their spirits or for personal good fortune," explains Bruce Tho mas, President of Spirit Mountain Gaming. Although the offerings are spontaneous and have not been encouraged by the Casino, the cash donations have continued to accumulate, reaching over $1,500 by early January. "We agree, given the symbolism of the statue, that the offerings should be donated to a charity that benefits disad vantaged children in our area," Thomas says. The initial donation will be divided equally among three local Head Start programs, including those in Grand Ronde and Willamina. Future donations will be given to a different Head Start program each month, rotating among both those Head Starts in the local communities and those in surrounding commu nities, such as McMinnville, Dallas and Salem. The Casino will con tinue to match the amount each month as part of the donation. Martha Jane Sands, portrayed in the statue with her granddaughter Gertrude at her side, symbolizes the proud spirit of the Grand Ronde Tribe. A survivor of the infamous "Trail of Tears," Martha Jane later became a renowned basketweaver and an inspiration to her people. This statue, by sculptor Rip Caswell, portrays the passing of Tribal culture and traditions from generation to generation. Located in Grand Ronde on Highway 18, 30 miles west of Salem, Spirit Mountain Casino is Oregon's newest and largest tribal gaming center. For more information on Spirit Mountain call 1-800-760-7977.
