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."
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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.