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:
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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.
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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.