December 16, 1996
SMOKE SIGNALS
Chair report
Letters to the Editor
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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
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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
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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
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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