January 6, 1997
SMOKE SIGNALS
4
Casino Employee Spotlight
Mark Cook enjoys job, co-workers
fJSI' the Facilities Maintenance department
7 j V of the Casino. He was one of the first
to begin, by virtue of the fact that he
was hired about two weeks before the
Casino opened in October, 1995.
His job duties include "...every
thing that needs assembly,
plumbing and electrical work,
and every other detail that needs
fixing." Mark said that every de
partment calls on the mainte
nance staff, and all departments
work really well together. "We
arc all very supportive of each
other," he said.
Before he came to work for
the Casino, Mark worked in the
tribal maintenance department
for many years.
"I really liked working for
Public Works," said Mark. "But
everyone kept telling me to ap
ply at the Casino. At first 1 didn't
really want to, but now that I'm
j !
if ZJ
i - '
here I like it very much. I like going to work everyday.
There is always something new to do, and I also get to meet
and greet tribal members and other guests."
He said every new employee must attend a Human Re
sources orientation where certain customer service tech
niques are taught: the impor
tance of greeting people, being
friendly, and always being will
ing to assist anyone.
Mark thinks most of his co
workers had those skills al
ready. Their outgoing person
alities and love for their jobs re
flect that type of image.
Mark also wants to thank
Tribal Council for their support
of Bruce Thomas and the Spirit
Mountain Board of Directors
for giving them a free hand to
run the Casino and trusting their
decisions.
As far as his job goes, Mark
said, "I think I would be very
happy to be able to work here
for along time."
Chris La Chance receives
honorable mention
Eastern Oregon State College senior Chris La Chance
received Honorable Mention All-Conference Defensive
back. Chris was also named the Columbia Football
Association's Defensive Player of the Week after Eastern's
victory over Lewis and Clark. He had nine tackles, includ
ing three quarterback sacks.
"We take pride in playing at home," stated La Chance.
Chris has played defensive back for the past two seasons.
Eastern had a strong season, ending the season with an over
all record of 6-4. This marks the first winning season for
Eastern since 1982.
A Grand Ronde tribal member, Chris will graduate this
winter with a Bachelor of Science in Business Economics.
He plans to return to his home in San Diego, California,
and help out with the family business.
There are four Grand Ronde tribal members who cur
rently attend Eastern Oregon State College in La Grande,
Oregon. These students have represented themselves very
well, states Jackie Leno-Grant, Director of Eastern's Na
tive American Program. While maintaining a high grade
point average, these students have been visible in activities
and programs on Eastern's campus. In addition, these stu
dents are part of Eastern's Native American Program, which
has a total enrollment of 66 students. The Native Ameri
can Program is a student support service program designed
to recruit, retain and graduate American Indian and Alas
kan Native students at Eastern Oregon State College.
OFFICIAL APPLICATION FOR ENTRY -Full
Name:
Mailing Address:
Phone Number:
Roll Number:
Place of Birth: .
Date of Birth:
.Age: .
Father's Full Name:
Mother's Full Name:
ParentSponsor:
ParentSponsor's Phone Number:
Sponsor's Mailing Address:
Elementary School Attended:
High School Attended:
College Attended:
Please answer the following questions on separate
sheet of paper:
1. Have you held any titles in the past?
2. List any special accomplishments,
3. Why arc you entering the Miss Grand Ronde com
petition or honorary court?
ParentSponsor's Signature
Grand Ronde Royalty Court
Happy New Year! 1996 Was a busy year for Royalty Court
and the Pow-wow Committee, and now it's time to tum our at
tention to 1997. If you or someone you know is interested in
participating in Royalty Court for the upcoming year, now is the
time to start thinking about it. The following is a list of rules and
guidelines for the young women and girls interested. If this is
something you would like to do, please fill out the application
form provided and send it to the new Royalty Court Advisor,
Donna Casey, at the address provided below. Royalty Court is
an excellent chance for young members to represent their Tribe
with pride and dignity. It is an obligation which requires a lot of
time and commitment, but it's also a tremendous honor.
The next issue of Smoke Signals will contain information re
garding the first Royalty Court meeting, which is mandatory for
all who wish to participate. The sooner you send in your applica
tion, the faster it can be processed. If you have any questions,
please contact Donna Casey or Norma Billings at (503) 876-4663.
GUIDELINES FOR ROYALTY COURT
Participants must be an enrolled member of the Grand Ronde
Tribe, enrolled in public or provide school (unless graduated or a
Tiny Tot) and in one of the following age categories: Tiny Tot
0-5 years; Honorary Court 6-10 years; Jr. Miss Grand
Ronde 1 1-14 years; Sr. Miss Grand Ronde 15-19 years.
Participants must have their own regalia that is appropriate for
all events. It is not the responsibility of the Pow-wow Commit
tee, Royalty Committee, Tribal Council, or any other tribal pro
gram to provide these things for participants. There will be a list
of scheduled events to attend. Part of the judging requirements
will be to attend each event.
Members of Royalty Court are not paid positions. The two
chosen Queens will receive a preset amount of travel money for
attending required events. Fund-raisers are the responsibility of
the Court and their parentssponsors to coordinate. The monies
raised will help the participants with travel expenses.
Royalty Court participants are expected by their conduct, to rep
resent the Grand Ronde Tribe, their family, and themselves with
integrity and gracious spirit at all times. This means that partici
pants must show good judgement by not participating in any ac
tivities that could bring adverse publicity to themselves or the
Tribe while a member of Royalty Court. Full dedication and prepa
ration to represent the Tribe in a positive way is expected. Par
ticipants must be single, childless, and never married. All young
women and girls participating must be drug and alcohol free.
Royalty Court participants and their parentsponsor must attend
all required evenfs (pow-wows, parades, fund-raisers, organiza
tional meetings and others). Absences can be prearranged with
the Royalty Committee Advisor. Three unexcused absences will
result in disqualification from Royalty Court. Please note that all
participants receive 1 point for every event. Royalty Court par
ticipants are expected to stay for the duration of the events. This
includes helping setup for events such as meetings and parades,
as well as dancing during Grand Entry and staying until the flags
are retired unless pre-approved with the Royalty Advisor. Par
ticipants are expected to speak in front of large groups of people.
Royalty Court participants must be willing and able to dance.
Remember: You are all part of a team and are expected to treat
yourselves, running mates, and others with respect at all times.
Royalty Court participants will be judged at the Royalty Court
Pageant during the Annual Pow-wow in August, 1997. Partici
pants will be judged on speech, attendance at required events,
interview questions, and raffle ticket sales. Participants are re
quired to make at least one article of their regalia.
Participants must have a parentsponsor who will accompany
them to required events and help coordinate fund-raisers and re
lated events. Any misconduct will result in disqualification from
the Royalty Court.
Royalty Court Advisor: Donna Casey
P.O. Box 901, Willamina, Oregon 97396