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7r7. " 1997
SMOKE SIGNALS
Dear Editor:
I am writing this letter in response to a
recent letter to the editor of the Smoke
Signals. This letter recently mentioned
that it is not realistic for many tribal
members to move back to Grand Ronde.
This is a statement I can agree with. I am
sure that it may not be feasible for some
tribal members to move to Grand Ronde
or perhaps it isn't desirable for some
tribal members to move to Grand Ronde.
However, just as the Termination Act of
1954 was designed to send members
away from Grand Ronde, the Restoration
Act of 1983 was designed to bring
members back. I believe that even the
federal government realized that Grand
Ronde would never again be - the
Reservation it once was, that's why they
required the Tribe to designate a six
county service area to allow members
living within these counties to receive the
same benefits available to those who live
in Grand Ronde. The Tribe was also
required to select counties that connected
boundary to boundary.
In reference to Grand Meadows mobile
home park and the perception that some
tribal members don't appreciate the invest
ment the Tribe has made to allow tribal
members a chance to purchase a home of
their own, is a misconception I would like
to try to clear up. When talk of Grand
Meadows first started it was mentioned
many times that its purpose would be a
quick way to provide members a place
where they could place a mobile home to
live in Grand Ronde at an affordable price.
I believe that anyone purchasing a home
should be able to buy something that they
know they will be happy with for years to
come. The problems some members had
with Grand Meadows came up when
people were told that they would have to
add an extra $15,000 to the purchase price
of their homes to cover the cost of the
required front and back decks on the home,
the paved and covered carport, sidewalks,
and the required shed which has to match
the color of the home. I do not think it is
unreasonable for members to become upset
over an unexpected $15,000. I personally
do not believe that a $500 - $700 house
payment is affordable; especially if this
doesn't include the monthly space lease
amount. Just because it is now the going
rate for the area doesn't make it affordable.
I can see where it could be a hardship on
members living on a fixed income or
perhaps a single income.
The Grand Ronde Tribe is unique as it is
still a young Tribe; not quite 14 years old.
Look how much we have accomplished in a
relatively short period of time and lets not
forget what we had before Restoration
NOTHING. The Grand Ronde Tribe is
similar to other Tribes as in almost all
Indian Tribes have a reservation or a
limited service area. I would like to
encourage tribal members to be patient.
The casino is generating much needed
revenue for the Tribe, but in reality we can't
expect it to last forever. Doesn't it make
sense to try to keep improving the lives of
our tribal members through services
provided, like the recent health plan that
gives all tribal members some medical
coverage at no monthly premium cost to
them regardless of where they live?
Respectfully submitted by,
Janell Grout Haller
Roll 1523
Dear Editor:
I am writing in regards to the thank-you
letter printed in the May issue. I am glad
to see our elderly and the ones who are
misfortuned receiving monthly payments.
But I would like to see all members re
ceiving this also. There are some that say
the young generation would just use it on
drugs and alcohol, but all are not on drugs
and alcohol. The issue is that we should
not judge one another, but we should be
treated equally.
We as a Tribe should be as one and
stand together, if not we will fall. I see
members from other tribes receiving
monthly or quarterly payments from their
tribes and I believe we could do the same.
This is what we call "per capita," and it's
what most of us voted for. All members
could prosper from what is put into our
hands, instead of a certain few.
Karen Knight
Roll 117
ADDITION:
The Smoke Signals staff overlooked the fact
that Mike Larsen nominated Bob Mercier.
Sorry for not mentioning this in the May 19
issue. Also, Election Day is September 6.
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LETTERS FROM OUR READERS: Smoke Signals is a publication of the Confed
erated 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 necessar
ily reflect the opinions of Smoke Signals, tribal employees, or Tribal Council.
MAIL LETTERS TO: Smoke Signals, 961 5 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR
97347. Attn: Tracy Dugan.
SMOKE SIGNALS DEADLINES are the 5th and 20th of each month.
::.-..:! .11 .ti 1 ..i:-i;:u:
New committee format lets Tribal
Council take care of business
By Tracy Dugan
The Tribal Council has recently adopted a new way of taking care of tribal business and
acting on the information they receive. For the past few months they have been participat
ing in sub-committees, in which tribal issues are discussed, and brought back to the full
Tribal Council to vote on.
Every day a different sub-committee meets, and hears requests from tribal members.
After the sub-committee decides on a recommendation, they bring it to the Wednesday
night regular meeting for everyone to hear.
This process has proven to be more effective and expedient when it comes to hearing out
all sides of an issue. The following is list of all the sub-committees, so if you have any
requests or concerns to speak with Tribal Council about, you should be able to contact the
Chair of the sub-committee related to the issue.
Qni2Cs0jii23l
If you have recently moved or plan on moving, let us know so you won't miss a
single issue of your favorite newspaper. Smoke Signals is available to anyone at no
cost. Just fill out this form with your name and address, then mail it back to Smoke
Signals, Attn: Kim Mueller, 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347.
E-Mail us via Internet tracynewsmacnet.com or kimnewsmacnet.com
OLD ADDRESS:
NEW ADDRESS:
MONDAYS
Health and Human Services Committee
Community Services Committee
Chair: Margaret Provost
Alternate: Kathryn Harrison
Members: Ed Larsen and Ed Pearsall
WEDNESDAYS
Legislative Committee
Chair: Kathryn Harrison
Alternate: Ed Larsen
Members: Eugene LaBonte
and Margaret Provost
Economic Development Committee
Chair: Bob Haller
Alternate: Reynold Leno
Members: Ed Larsen, Ed Pearsall,
Margaret Provost, and Leon Tom
TUESDAYS
Tribal Government, Management, and
Budget Committee
Chair: Ed Pearsall
Alternates: Leon Tom and Bob Haller
Members: Margaret Provost,
Reynold Leno, Kathryn Harrison,
and Eugene LaBonte
THURSDAYS
Resource Committee
Chair: Reynold Leno
Alternate: Eugene LaBonte
Members: Bob Haller
and Leon Tom
Education Committee
Chair: Leon Tom
Alternate: Ed Pearsall ,
Member: Reynold Leno