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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 6, 1997)
Tribal Christmas Party rated "best ever By Tracy Dugan The annual Tribal Christmas Party was held at Grand Ronde Elementary on Decem ber 14. The turnout was tremendous, with about 350 tribal members and their fami lies in attendance. The afternoon began with a welcoming speech from Council Chairperson Kathryn Harrison followed by a large meal of ham, turkey and assorted trimmings as well as several different des sert selections. Many different raffles were going on, including the Health and Wellness raffle for a Pendleton Blanket, and this year they added a beautiful Christmas wreath to the prizes. Also, the Culture and Heritage Board is holding a raffle for an elk leg bas ket, which was made by Vivian DeMary. The money will be used to help fund the Elders' Quilting Project. Christmas carols were sung by the Be fore and After School Care children and also by children enrolled in the Tribe's preschool program. A special women's ensemble also sang for the party-goers, mostly employ ees of the Tribe or the Casino. They were: Sharon Hcrron, Tamera Kennedy, Ruth Adams, Karen Haskins, Chcryle Kennedy, and Annabelle "Peachy" Hamm. There was a raffle drawing for prizes that included beautiful poinsettia plants and specially-made fruit baskets filled with an as sortment of treats, including a bottle of spar kling cider. Santa and Rudolph were both there to have their picture taken with many of the children and to listen to their Christmas wishes. Many tribal members rated this year's party as "the best ever." rr. f gy ..M-sry-,,.--- ' -i ;,y- ' r V f 1 tit . ' v II Iff :C II $ r i' 1 lfe ' r II 4 Lit 1 nut t-r-1 ? Tribal Coucil meeting minutes: 1997 Budget approved DECEMBER 11, 1996 Full Council present D Tracy Biery reported that $2,279 has been raised to date for the Coat Drive to provide coats and gifts for 119 children whose names have been turned in. There was a miscommunication getting name tags to Spirit Mountain Casino in time for employees there to help. At the time of the meeting, 35 gifts and nine coats had been received out of the 119 tags taken. Tracy asked Council to consider contributing $1,000 to this project in or der for all the kids to receive coats. Those receiving assistance are largely single par ents, foster children, and low-income families. Gene LaBonte moved, Ed Larscn seconded a motion to approve the $1,000 donation, Motion carried. H Pam Warren, Chair of the Kwelth Talkie Culture and Heritage Board rec ommended Council approve Dave Brummit to fill the current vacancy posi tion on the Board. Motion carried. Pam also submitted the Kwelth Talkie Quar terly Report for Council's review. D Council liaisons are needed for both the Pow-wow Committee and the Elders' Committee. Council consensus was to appoint Reyn Leno as Pow-wow repre sentative and Margaret Provost as Elder's representative. DECEMBER 18, 1996 Full Council present B Tribal Council approved the 1997 Cal endar Year Budget as presented by Pat Mcrcier and Greg Archuleta. Council also gave authorization to proceed on the con struction of a new Administration build ing which will house tribal programs. They also approved the architect's con tract for hire and authorized him to pro ceed in the design of the building. B Chris Leno proposed a more efficient way for tribal members living in Grand Ronde to receive their commodities. As it is, those who are eligible for monthly shipment of commodities must travel to either Silctz or Salem to pick them up. He suggested that the Tribe check into the possibility of a delivery system or a pick-up area in Grand Ronde so those who have trouble arranging transporta tion won't have to go so far. Council asked Chris to check into these things and get back to them.
