April 15, 1997
SMOKE SIGNALS
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Pauline Johnson
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Tribal Elder Pauline Johnson passed
away on March 2 at her home in
Warm Springs. She was 92.
Born April 26, 1905 in Grand Ronde to
Marcel John Warren and Cecile Leno War
ren, Pauline came from a historically sig
nificant family. Her grandfathers were
treaty signers: Tyee Bogus of the Umpquas
and Tyee Lipasank of the Rogue Rivers.
She passed on the oral history, as told to
her by her parents who were among those
removed from our homelands, of how the
government soldiers herded our people to
gether and moved them to Grand Ronde,
and how life at Grand Ronde was.
Pauline had 16 brothers and sisters. Four
teen preceded her in death, and one sister,
Nora Kimscy, lives in Grand Ronde.
Pauline married tribal member Elmer Tom
Lavvney and they had four children, three
of whom died in childhood. The fourth,
Cordelia Tom Knccland, grew up in Grand
Ronde.
During the 1930s, many Grand Ronde
Indians, including Pauline, went to CC at
HeeHee on the Warm Springs Indian Res
ervation. While there, Pauline was remar
ried to a Warm Springs tribal member, Orin
Johnson. Together they made their home
in Warm Springs. Family and family val
ues were important to Pauline, and she
taught those around her the cultural ways
of survival.
Pauline loved life and music, and in her
younger day was known to "kick up her
heels" dancing. She taught many how to
preserve foods by canning and drying eels,
fish, deer, fruit, and berries which she con
tinued to do throughout her life. Not only
did she preserve the foods but she also gath
ered and hunted. Her many other talents
included being a skilled harmonica player,
welder, renown biscuit maker, seamstress,
quilter, crafter, farmer, and livestock
rancher. She was a preacher to Indian tribes
in the U.S. and Canada, and for many,
Pauline was known as "Gramma."
Pauline had an open door policy that
meant if you needed a place to stay, you
were welcome in her home. She always
had many children at her home including
great grandchildren, great-great grandchil
dren, and many non-relative adoptives. She
always said that children keep you young.
Nieces and nephews fought to be able to
spend summers at Pauline's, where every
one was expected to contribute to the up
keep of the home and family. Her caring
attitude spilled over to taking Elders under
her wing, making sure they had a hot meal,
food in the cupboard, and firewood.
Several times per year, Pauline returned
to Grand Ronde to visit relatives. She would
take something to each household food,
clothing, fabric and always a warm smile
and a prayer. As important as teaching oral
traditions was to Pauline, she also insisted
that the children know the relatives, and
often took them on her visits. Her faith in
God sustained her to cope with her handi
cap, which afflicted her later in life. She
was a model of kindness until the day she
passed away. She left us all with her teach
ings on how to live a successful life.
Pauline is survived by her daughter
Cordelia and sister Nora, as well as 8 grand
children, 23 great grandchildren, 16 great
great grandchildren, and hundreds of nieces
and nephews.
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cost. Just fill out this form with your name and address, then mail it back to Smoke
I Signals, Attn: Kim Mueller, 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347.
I E-Mail us via Internet tracynewsmacnet.com or kimnewsmacnet.com
OLD ADDRESS:
NEW ADDRESS:
Letters to the Editor.
Dear tribal members:
As an Elder who lives outside the Grand
Ronde and Six County Service areas, I was
recently able to visit the Spirit Mountain Ca
sino, and was impressed with the profes
sionalism and courteousness of the Casino
employees, and the cleanliness of the Ca
sino. They made me feel very proud to see how
far our tribe has come. I have family that
live inside the Six County Service Area, so
I am very thankful that they are able to take
advantage of the employment opportunities
and tribal programs that are offered.
I attended the April 6th General meeting.
Discussion was brought up about the
amount of money that the Tribe has paid
for the modular park. Approximately
$27,000 per space has been spent. This
money, approximately one million dollars,
is free gratis to the families who move into
the park, and yet I heard a lot of complain
ing from a few of the tribal members about
the move in cost.
I believe some of the tribal member El
ders need to be reminded that they are privi
leged to receive the benefits that they do.
Some of us are not so lucky. I believe that
tribal members living outside of the com
munity would be grateful for a small por
tion of the money that was spent on the
modular home park to use for housing or
repairs.
As for the comment that was made at the
General meeting about tribal members liv
ing outside of the Grand Ronde community
who want benefits should move back, that
is not realistic.
Let us all examine our motives: are we
motivated to financially gain for ourselves
or are we willing to look out for the welfare
of all our brothers and sisters in the Tribe?
Remember, mighty nations have fallen over
the greed of a few.
Betty Haller Garrett
Dear tribal members:
As a tribal member I wish to thank those
working for all members. A special thanks
to Eugene LaBonte. The money and insur
ance we have received is a true blessing.
Our past Chairman did a lot for the Tribe.
Mrs. Harrison looks to be doing a good job
now as Chairman. But what is our past
Chairman doing now? Our Council is our
life blood. Without proper leadership,
members will suffer. Committees such as
the Timber Committee are very important.
Without timber revenue we would not be
where we are today. I urge you to be aware
of what's going on within our leadership.
Demand your rights as a member! We
hope to gain in stature because of leaders
working for all members, not just a few.
Read your Smoke Signals and stay in touch
with Council members. We as members
must weed out those with self interests. I,
being unable to move back to Spirit Moun
tain right now, can only talk to you through
the Smoke Signals. I would like to see all
tribal members benefit. Look at what has
been achieved for us in the last few years.
Who is responsible?
Sincerely,
Bill Kellogg
Member hospitalized
Tribal member Albert Low is in the hos
pital. His family would like to encourage
support by visiting, sending cards, or phon
ing Albert to lift his spirits. You may write
him at the Albany Hospital, 1046 6th St.
S.W., Room 201,' Albany, OR 97321 or
phone him at (541) 926-2244. Thank you in
advance, your support is greatly appreciated.
Correction
Nikki Norwest is the granddaughter of
Marcellus and Sharon Norwest, which was
misprinted in the last issue of Smoke Signals.
LETTERS FROM OUR READERS: Smoke Signals is a publication of the
Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon. We have
established an Editorial Policy to encourage input from readers about stories
printed in Smoke Signals, as well as other tribal issues. However, all letters
must be received at the newspaper office with author's signature, address,
and phone number in order to be considered for publication.
Letters must be printed or typed, and cannot exceed 300 words. Smoke
Signals reserves the right to edit any letter for clarity and length, and to
refuse publication of any letter or any part of a letter that may contain libelous
statements or personal attacks. Not all letters are guaranteed publication
upon submission. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of
Smoke Signals, tribal employees, or Tribal Council. ;
MAIL LETTERS TO: Smoke Signals, 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand
Ronde, OR 97347. Attn: Tracy Dugan.
SMOKE SIGNALS DEADLINES are the 5th and 20th of each month.
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