September 15, 1996
SMOKE SIGNALS
Letters to the editor
2
To the Editor:
I would like to take time-out to thank the
people who said prayers for me when I was
up on Spirit Mountain doing my Healing
Quest. I went up on June 15 and 16, 1996.
First of all, my mother Donna Casey, for
being there for me when I needed her the
most, Candy and Jess Robertson for letting
me use their property on Spirit Mountain.
Judy Vinson for taking care of my two beau
tiful boys, David and Nakai. For Michael,
letting LaVonne Butler use the Sweat Lodge
and the area for her base camp. For all the
people who said prayers for me. (Trish
Haugen and John, Dorothy and Diane, my
Grandma Blanche Lillard, all my Family,
my Sundance brothers and sisters, aunties
and uncles.) I'd like to thank John Brave
hawk for loaning me a Chanupa (Sacred
Pipe). I would also like to thank Jackie Pro
vost and Kathy Coley for your prayers as
well.
A great big thank you to LaVonne Butler
for putting me up on the Mountain! May
the Creator watch over each and every one
of you, always. I had a giveaway when I
came off the Mountain, it went rather well.
Once again thank you for all of your prayers.
Sincerely,
Karen Blanchard
To the Editor:
My name is Dennis L. Smith, Jr. I'm an
enrolled tribal member of the Grand Ronde
Tribe.
I would like to take time out to give thanks
to all the people who supported me to make
it possible. If it weren't for these people
and whoever else helped me out, I wouldn't
be a part of this Tribe. The people who I
want to recognize are: Jackie Provost,
Kathy Coley, my Grandma, Rosemary
Smith, and to the people of Tribal Council.
Last, but not least, the people who I forgot!
Thanks for the support,
Dennis L. Smith, Jr.
To the tribal members:
I recently went to visit our Casino and
Reservation. I met with Ed Pearsall and he
gave me a short tour of our Reservation. I
was running late and could only do a short
tour.
I asked Ed a lot of questions about the
future our tribe was heading. He was com
pletely honest and straight with me, I can't
say I agreed with all of what Ed told me,
but he gave me the time and the respect to
listen to my feelings.
I left there feeling a lot more secure about
how things would be for us living off the
six service area.
I know that if all of us were like Ed, then
we'll truly be a tribe united and equal.
Thank you Ed, you not only have my re
spect, but also my trust and I don't trust
easily.
Thank You,
Vonnie Edmondson
Roll 105
To the Editor:
Dear Friends,
On behalf of the members of Gib Baker's
family, we would like to thank you for al
lowing our loved one to be placed near his
father, George Baker, Sr., in your tribal
cemetery. Gib often spoke of relatives and
lifelong friends in Grand Ronde. He intro
duced me to some of you, especially his sis
ter, Mabel Gaston, and her daughter, Elaine.
We thank you for the use of your Com
munity Center where lunch was served.
Joann Mcrcier was a big help when she al
lowed our friends from Tulalip to cook
salmon at her "Tipi Village."
With love and respect,
Nellie Baker
EDITOR'S NOTE: As a gift of thanks,
Nellie Baker donated a coffee maker to the
Community Center, which she brought in
on Election Day.
If you have recently moved or plan on moving, let us know so you
won't miss a single issue of your favorite newspaper. Smoke Signals
is available to anyone at no cost. Just fill out this form with your
name and address, then mail it back to Smoke Signals, Attn: Kim
Mueller, 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347.
OLD ADDRESS:
NEW ADDRESS:
I
L
Council meeting minutes: Major Actions
August 8, 1996
Mark Mcrcier was on annual leave during this week, and Kathryn Harrison was attend
ing a meeting out of town. The meeting was chaired by Secretary Ed Pearsall.
Natural Resources Division Manager Cliff Adams submitted and reviewed the Execu
tive Summary for the Remix Salvage Logging Unit with Council. Following the review,
Gene LaBonte moved, Ed Larsen seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 045-96
approving the Remix Salvage Logging Unit sale as presented. Motion carried by a vote
of 6-0.
NAPOLS contract renewal: Tribal Attorney Michael Mason submitted a draft resolu
tion for Council's consideration. It called for the renewal of the NAPOLS contract for one
year. Val Grout moved, Chip Tom seconded the motion to adopt Resolution No. 046-96
approving renewal. Motion carried by a vote of 6-0.
Ed Larsen moved, and Gene LaBonte seconded a motion to reappoint Bill Miles to the
Gaming Commission for a three-year term, as his contract was up. The motion carried.
Council adopted Resolution No. 047-96 approving a two-year contract extension for
the Tribal Court Judge Bob Goodwin.
August 28, 1996
All members of Council were present, except for Ed Pearsall, who was on annual leave.
Linda Layden, Housing Coordinator, presented the Housing Policy to Council for their
approval. Val Grout moved, Margaret Provost seconded a motion to adopt Resolution
No. 049-96, approving the policy as presented. The motion carried by a vote of 7-0.
Pat Mercier, Finance Officer, presented the Membership Benefit Authorization Ordi
nance to Council, which they had already reviewed a number of times. Gene LaBonte
moved, Val Grout seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 050-96, approving the
Ordinance. The motion carried by a vote of 7-0. Council also adopted Resolution No.
051-96, approving the Gaming Dividend Fund IPS, which carried by a vote of 7-0. Also
presented by Pat was information about the Use of Working Capital Bond Sinking Fund.
Val Grout moved, Margaret Provost seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 052-96,
authorizing the use of these funds. The motion passed by a vote of 7-0.
Executive Officer Francis Somday presented Council with information regarding the
interagency agreement with the Polk County Sheriffs Office. Kathryn Harrison moved,
Chip Tom seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 053-96, approving the agreement
as presented. Francis requested authorization to discuss a similar agreement with Yamhill
County Sheriffs Office, which Council approved by consensus.
Greg Archuleta, Policy and Planning Division Manager, presented Council with mate
rial on the Self-Governance Compact Renewal for 1997. Val Grout Moved, Ed Larsen
seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 055-96, approving the Self-Governance Com
pact as presented.
Council voted unanimously to approve the 1996 Education Budget Plan, as well as the
budget for the Student Advisory Council.
MEMBERSHIP INVESTMENT UPDATE
Every tribal member should have already received papers to complete regarding
the Tribal Member Investment Fund. All tribal members are required to fill out an
application form and a designation of beneficiary form for themselves and their
member children. This needs to be done regardless of your decision to leave your
dollars in the fund or withdraw them.
The Tribe originally intended to hire a trust officer to conduct investment briefings
and consultations with any tribal member wishing to withdraw funds. This person
will not be hired for a few more weeks, so those members wishing to make a
withdraw from their Investment Fund will simply be mailed a check after their appli
cations are received and processed. When the trust officer is hired, heshe will be
available to consult with members on their investment options. Please call Chris
Leno at 1-800-422-0232 for more information.
4 EDITORIAL POLICY V
ISJSSSSSL
r