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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 1996)
2 f!)mtl 1 SMOKE IgNALS Tribal Council minutes Letter to the Editor To all tribal members, Can we remember what our mothers and fathers told us about their lives, coming from a family that migrated at will through out the northwest? I would like to say that being a member of a tribe which is recognized by the fed eral government is a relief. (Which enroll ment should be open to all tribal members.) Often I have heard of my heritage as a boy. The land was territorial with large borders, they moved about it at will and then came the land grabbers, they put tribes on reser vations so today we still have those who keep all tribal benefits restricted to the res ervations. Now is a time for change once again. All members need to look strongly at candidates running for election. I encourage you all to vote as I am. If you want a council and those governing us who will benefit all tribal members.. .VOTE! Look for those that are working to benefit us as members. What, as a tribal member, do you want? A coun cil that works for all! Or those who are for a few? My family and myself will live day to day as we always have, but there is a choice! Please support those working to improve the lives of ALL TRIBAL MEM BERS, not a few. What we need is young educated mem bers to work with their elders. These are modern and fast moving times. June Shercr is such a person. Please pick whoever you feel strongly about, at least VOTE! So as Chief Joseph of the Kalapuya might have said, "Follow the rules for the betterment of all tribal members. Freedom lives as the bird flics, as the wolf roams, and the bear dominates." Vote as your ancestors would! William A. Jones Kellogg EDITORIAL POLICY: iaii-iimm-:ii',iL: June 27 ENROLLMENT NEW MEMBERSHIP. Information was presented pertaining to 203 new membership applications. The Enrollment Committee recommended approval for membership for 172 of those applicants. Council adopted Resolution No. 037-96 approving tribal enrollment for the 172 members as recommended by the Enrollment Committee. TIMBER SALE APPROVAL RESOLUTION. Following a pre sentation, Council adopted Resolution No. 038-96 approving the Running Bear timber sale as presented. SELF GOVERNANCE ANNUAL FUNDING AGREEMENT 1997. Council consensus was to continue negotiations with the Indian Health Service on the 1997 agreement. ELECTION COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS. Council ap pointed Tracy Dugan, Dorothy Lawe, and Dakota Whitccloud as Election Committee members, and Heather Blivens as an alternate. Election Committee will appoint a Chairperson to be approved by the Tribal Council. July 2 BOND RESOLUTION. Council adopted Resolution No. 040-96 to authorize the Tribal Chair to execute the Bond documents in cluding the Bond Purchasing Agreement with Seattle National Se curities, the Reimbursement Agreement with Bank of America, and the Trust Indenture with First Trust Washington. This was done in order to move forward with selling bonds for the Wellness Center Health Clinic. ELDERS' SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PRO GRAM ORDINANCE. A note will be made in the resolution to declare an emergency and waive the mandatory 21 -day waiting period. (All checks were mailed out the week of July 14.) COLUMBIA SOUTH SHORE ARTIFACTS. Council approved to draw up a lease for storage with the Oregon Historical Society in Portland. WATERLINE EASEMENT RESOLUTION. A recommenda tion was presented to approve easements and waterline easements for properties of Darrel Mercier and Don McMillan to provide for tribal services now and in the future. Resolution No. 041-96 was adopted as presented. July 17- NEW NATURAL RESOURCES FACILITY. Tribal Council voted unanimously to begin construction of the Natural Resources office building. The division offices were located along Highway 18, but the division had to relocate to make room for the Casino. For the past year, Natural Resources have worked out of trailer offices on Hebo Road, on another land parcel the Tribe owns. Coun cil approved construction of permanent offices in this location, with a building cost not to exceed $850,000. HOUSING PLAN. The Council unanimously approved the Hous ing Plan. See sidebar story below. POSTAL PRESENTATION. Sharon Kesey, Grand Ronde Post master, made a presentation with commemorative plaques depict ing the new series of stamps recently released by the U.S. Postal Service. The new stamps commemorate different Native Ameri can dance styles from tribes across the nation. Sharon gave a plaque to Tribal Council, Spirit Mountain Casino, the Tribal Mail Depart ment, and Smoke Signals in appreciation of the business relation ship we have with them. Many items available to the public, see; front page. " "' Model of the future Natural Resources Facility. mm r mil t (D y POSTMASTER PRESENTS PLAQUES OF APPRECIATION. From left: Sharon Kesey, Grand Ronde Postmaster; Mark Mercier, Tribal Council Chairman; Tracy Dugan! Smoke Signals Editor; Jeff Mercier, Tribal Mail Department; and Mike Larsen Chairman of Spirit Mountain Board of Directors. Housing plan approved The Tribal Housing Ordinance adopted by the Tribal Council in March established the Grand Ronde Tribal Housing Authority for the purpose of developing and implementing housing programs for tribal members. The Ordi nance requires that the Housing Authority develop a Housing Plan as a guide for this work and present it to Tribal Council for their review and approval. The Housing Plan was presented to Council and approved at the July 17 meeting. The plan includes specific goals, objectives and strategies over the next five years, as well as some longer term ob jectives. A summary of the Plan's five-year goals and objectives can be obtained by calling the Hous ing Authority office at 879-240 1 . Look for additional information about the Housing Plan and spe cific housing programs available to tribal members through the Housing Authority in the Septem ber issue of Smoke Signals.
