July 1, 1996
SMOKE SIGNALS
3
Council candidate withdraws from election
Dear members of the Tribal Council, General Council,
Election Committee, Fellow Tribal Members, family and
friends;
My name is Pam Warren. I'd like to take a moment to
share with you what I have been doing for the past 2-12
years since I returned home.
From January 1994 to April 1996, 1 was the secretary for
the Tribal Family Action Program. In April of this year I
took over the General Assistance Program and am now the
General Assistance Counselor within the Tribal Family
Action Program.
Around the same time as I changed positions, I was ap
pointed by the Tribal Council to the Kwelth Tahlkie Heri
tage Society Board as one of seven members. This is a
great honor for me. My gratitude is infinite. Within this
board, my fellow board members unanimously elected me
to be their Chairperson. Again, beyond my expectations,
and I hold this position in great esteem. My dedication to
this position has no bounds.
As I reported in the Smoke Signals newspaper, I also at
tend classes as Chemcketa Community College at night. I
will be going full-time in the fall. This will continue for as
long as it takes for me to obtain my Bachelor's Degree in
Psychology.
I greatly appreciate the confidence that was shown for
me at being nominated, and I hope that in the future this
will continue to hold true.
To make this short and easy as possible, I wish at this
time to withdraw my nomination to the Tribal Council until
such time that I have the experience and time to dedicate
my full attention to such a high honor.
Thank you, Pam Warren
Insurance meetings to be scheduled for Elders
Tribal Elder insurance program update:
Enrollment meetings will begin for Elders who live in
the Oregon counties listed in the "First Choice 65" and "Pre
ferred Choice 65" groups below.
Enrollment meetings will be scheduled in Grand Ronde,
Salem, Portland, Eugene, and Bend during the week of July
8-12. Each Elder will receive a letter instructing them which
meeting they should attend. Should an Elder live too far
from a meeting site or be unable to attend, telephone en
rollments will be arranged.
Elders who live in Jefferson, Lincoln, Coos, Wasco,
Deschutes, Crook, Curry, or Klamath counties in Oregon,
or outside of Oregon will be receiving an enrollment packet.
This enrollment packet will include instructions and the toll
free telephone number of our insurance agent so each Elder
can be personally guided through the process.
An introductory letter (and a meeting schedule, if appli
cable) for all three of these plans were mailed the week of
June 24 to each tribal Elder. If you are an Elder who is
unable to attend the enrollment meeting in your scheduled
area, please call Marsha Jonson at 1 -800 422-02032 or (503)
879-2490 and different arrangements will be made for you.
Remember, this is a voluntary program. Even if you have
other supplemental insurance coverage, we encourage you
to attend the enrollment meetings, or discuss this coverage
with our agent over the phone. We will be able to help
compare what coverage you may have now and help you to
decide if you want to change your medical coverage.
Tribal member insurance coverage:
The Tribe has received many phone calls from tribal mem
bers under the age of 65 who are curious about when their
insurance program will be offered. Because of the com
plexity of the plan and the anticipated volume of partici
pants (over 3,500), the program is targeted to begin some
time around the end of this year. Each tribal member will
be receiving a letter and information survey to complete in
the next couple of months. Like the Elders' program, this is
also voluntary, but we want every tribal member to have the
opportunity to participate if that's what they want.
Supplemental Insurance Program for Elders underway
A supplemental insurance program will be offered to all
tribal Elders. This is a voluntary participation program in
that Elders will be asked to decide if they want to enroll in
the program or keep their current method of coverage.
COVERAGE OUTLINE
1. All insurance premiums are fully paid.
2. All medical expenses are covered with no co-pay.
3. Medical coverage includes all major medical proce
dures, including preventive care.
4. Use of the insurance plan for preventive care is encour
aged. 5. Prescriptions are fully covered (100 of cost) with no
co-pay.
6. Vision coverage is available to anyone enrolled in the
HMO components of the plan.
7. Dental services are not covered.
8. All pre-existing medical conditions are covered from
the first day of the plan.
HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS
1 . Once enrolled, the Elder is presented with an insurance
card.
2. This card authorizes medical services and prescriptions
for no co-pay.
3. Other than filling out the initial enrollment papers, no
other paperwork is required.
4. If enrolled in the "First Choice" and "Preferred Choice"
plans below, an authorized primary physician needs to be
selected.
5. If a person needs to see a specialist, the physician is
responsible for making the referral.
PLAN COMPONENTS
Based upon location, Elders will be enrolled in one of
the plans below. Only the names of the plans and the
premium rates for those plans differ. Coverage for these
plans are identical.
FIRST CHOICE 65
HMO plan for those in Clackamas, Columbia,
Multnomah, and Washington counties.
PREFERRED CHOICE 65
HMO plan for the following counties in Oregon and
Washington: Clark, Clatsop, Tillamook, Yamhill, Polk,
Marion, Benton, Linn, Lane, Douglas, Coos, Curry,
Josephine, Jackson, Hood River, Umatilla, and Baker.
BLUE CROSS SHIELD OF OREGON
Covers all Elders residing in any county or state not
mentioned above.
Candidates: Improving
communication ranks high
continued from page 1
years previously, and knows the laws and ordinances
every Council member must be familiar with, "I am out
going, honest, and I want to listen to the members," he
said.
MARK MERCIER: "We have to keep close tabs on
politicians who want to limit Indian gaming," said Mark.
He said that his position as Council Chairman for the
past ten years has allowed him to establish crucial con
tacts with senior officials and politicians on both the
state and local levels. He has been involved in all the
growth and development the Tribe has seen in recent
years.
PATSY PULLIN: "I have a strong desire to return
to my roots. I recently received my Associate's degree
from the University of Alaska, and owned a lounge in
Nevada, so I am familiar with the knowledge it takes to
run a business, and with basic gaming laws and regula
tions," Patsy said.
DEE EDWARDS: Dee has a position with an Or
egon economic development program which is funded
by lottery revenue and she says she understands the im
portance allocating those dollars wisely. Her position
has allowed her to obtain knowledge about business.
"My job is very flexible," she said. "I can devote a lot
of time to a position on Council."
ALBERT JEFFERS: Albert has worked in the natu
ral resourcesforestry field and has also worked as an
archeologist. He wants to pursue our cultural artifacts
and other historical pieces that are being kept on behalf
of the Tribe by museums and cultural agencies. "These
Grand Ronde artifacts are being held in museums, but
are ours to claim," he said.
JOYCE DEHART: Joyce said her experience in
nursing will allow her to serve extensively for the health
care interests of the Tribe. "I could help set-up a health
benefit package that will enable all our members to re
ceive comprehensive coverage," she said. Because she
owns her own business, Joyce said she understands the
necessary rules and regulations businesses must adhere
to, and would be useful on Council in that capacity.
EARL FLOYD "BUTCH" LABONTE: Butch lives
in Grand Ronde and said that he is a member of the
Veterans' Committee and has traveled to Washington,
D.C. as a veteran to attend meetings. "I feel comfort
able traveling to Washington, D.C. or anywhere to at
tend meetings on behalf of the Tribe," he said.
JUNE SELL SHERER: June said she wants to pur
sue establishing an ombudsman with Spirit Mountain
Casino to address perceived unjust hiring practices. She
moved back to Grand Ronde to be involved in her com
munity, and wants to work towards a better life for all
members. She said, "I believe there should be more
training for tribal members who wish to work at the
Casino."
ELECTION DATE: September 7, 1996 at the
Tribal Community Center. Absentee Ballots
will be mailed out July 1st. You may also
register to vote through the Tribal Enrollment
Office.