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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 16, 1996)
December 16, 1996 SMOKE SIGNALS Chair report Letters to the Editor 2 s '. ' - , ' -.' $ u - ' K ' 'x ' it V " Dear Tribal Members: As this year draws to a close and we enter the Holy Season, it is time to reflect on the blessings this Tribe has received from our Creator. One only needs to see the little cemetery office where we started, then look around at the many departments utilized to day, each with its expert staff, to realize the progress made in serving our people. All this is a result of our Restoration effort which took eleven years to achieve by 1983. Then the Reservation which was fought for and won by 1988, five years later. And, whoever thought we would have our Spirit Mountain Casino, also, added to our accomplishments as a way of not only helping ourselves but the whole community as well? Having had the drastic experience of being a terminated Tribe for twenty-nine years, we know the value of becom ing a federally-recognized tribe and returning to our right ful place in the family of Indian Nations. Yes, the Tribe has seen many changes since our beloved ancestors were forced to walk their "Trail of Tears" to this new Homeland. As their descendants, we can reach back to their resilience, endurance and spirituality as we face the . new challenges. As the Chair, I see that we can now share our duties as Tribal Council members and can draw on each others' knowledge and expertise. We are a "team" with the majority willing to be "team players" already. It is my prayer to continue to give thanks for our many blessings, that we learn and gain new strength from our mistakes, and that we continue to seek His guidance in our endeavors as we face 1997. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. May God Bless!!!! Kathryn Harrison EDITORIAL POLICY Letters From Our Readers mtwsm urns 4wm&&& immmm To the Editor: I want to thank everyone that supported the fund raising efforts for the Tree of Giving, Christmas Food Basket, and Coats for Kids activities this year. A spe cial thank you to the Tribal Council for the donation of the Pendleton Blanket for the raffle and to the Ca sino for the turkeys and the food they collected. Also, thank you to everyone that took tags for the Tree of Giving and the Coats for Kids. I especially want to thank the staff that supported these efforts and gave their personal time to raise funds for these activities. An extra special giant thank you to Tracy Bicry, Peggy Biery, and Kerrie Jones (pic tured at right) for coordinating these activities and fund- raising events. Your extra efforts have made this year the biggest and best yet! Thank you, Teri Holsclaw Dear Editor: In the November 15 issue of Smoke Signals there was a front page article about members of Tribal Coun cil meeting with the staff from Oregon's Life Flight Network to discuss the possibility of setting up a heli pad at the Tribe's new Health Clinic, currently under construction. From personal experience with Life Flight, I endorse this possibility. My son, Anthony Williams, was res cued by Life Flight from the Tulalip Indian Reserva tion near Marysville, Washington on November 15. He had fallen from a moving vehicle and struck his head on the pavement. I was told by an attending phy sician at Harbor View Hospital, Trauma Unit, in Se attle thai Tony's life was saved because of that flight. He probably would not have survived the ride in an ambulance. Because he arrived at the hospital in a timely man ner, was able to receive immediate surgery, and go into a state-of-the-art trauma unit, he has survived this terrible accident. He does have a long way to a full recovery. The point is, Anthony has a chance at life, which he wouldn't have had without Life Flight. Thank you members of the Tribal Council for the consideration you are making for this important res cue element to our community. Sincerely, Claudette M. Parazoo Roll 2923 I" Ajm.-" ... . n .. i r V': " .... mil:. C AS 10 TO TMt ,n - .lf hH 1 . Ok nut Of: L-Li To the Editor: I am deeply saddened by the recent resignation of Merle Leno, Pow-wow Committee Chairperson, and his wife Claudia, Fry Bread Stand Coordinator. This is a great loss to our tribal mem bership. Merle is the most devoted, hardworking, caring, and patient person I know. He has ran this Pow-wow Committee (I believe) since the first pow-wow began for our Tribe. No one could have done a better job than Merle has. He is always there, always on top of things, and running things smoothly. It is a thankless job, and he's asked for nothing in return. His committee not only puts on the biggest event of the year for our Tribe, the Annual Pow-wow, but also puts on the Resto ration Celebration, Christmas Party and dinner, and they do many fund-raisers to help support these events, and attend many pow wows with the fry bread stand. Merle has put in more hours of his own time for our tribal membership than any other person I know to put these events on. Now that's devotion! Merle has kept these events both traditional and cultural which has not been an easy job with the changing of the times. Merle we love you and you will be greatly missed! This Tribe has a very, very difficult task before it. Trying to find someone to fill your shoes, Merle, and do the exceptional job you have done all these years! I think it will be impossible. I do not think the Tribal Council or the tribal membership real ize what a great loss this will be! Pow-wow Committee Member, Julie Little Roll 1899 To the Tribal Membership: I just want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the elders committee for the beautiful beaded belt buckle, which was presented to me at the General Council meeting on Decem ber 8th. No doubt, this is the best surprise I have received in the year of 1996! Once again, THANK YOU ELDERS! I will always cher ish this gift. Also at this General Council meeting, representatives from the Life Flight foundation made a presentation to the meeting attendees. Life Flight is interested in a joint ven ture with the Tribe, by having a helipad constructed at the Health Clinic, which is currently under construction. There is another aspect under which I urge the Tribe to consider? which is possibly having the Tribe provide an insurance "Tnr 1 1 I ( j J I T1- plan to its membership. Currently, Life Flight offers an insurance plan, for $50 annually, which will cover the costs of having Life Flight to fly to a site to pick up anyone in a life threat ening situation. At the General Coun cil meeting, it appeared to me there was some skepticism among some of the group. The point I wish to make is this: hopefully, none of us will ever need to use Life Flight. However, if we do need it, wouldn't it be nice not to have to worry about a $5,000 or more bill for a Life Flight pickup? Whether an individual is covered or not, Life Flight will provide its ser vice to anyone in need. To me, this is a good insurance just in case it should ever be needed. Mark Merrier Council member
