Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 15, 1997)
OR. COLL. 7.U kitltoiWli'i iff December 15, 1997 of 0? K PSITffHipBPPWMiSW (0 livMii: hpjiiii(ipi 1 5K. I' 9 Native leaders meet at NCAI Santa Fe, NM (AP) Indian leaders from across the nation gathered in Santa Fe last month, including members of Grand Ronde's Tribal Council, to find out how best to tell "the biggest untold story in America." The National Congress of American Indi ans (NCAI) drew more than 2,000 tribal lead ers and delegates to its 54th annual conven tion a record, according to its organizers. They spent their time discussing how to preserve and protect tribal sovereignty and how to make headway in the U.S. Congress on issues such as education, health, hous ing, and jobs. NCAI President Ron W. Allen opened the convention with a call to mobilize Indian Country. "We must.. .show the leaders in Washing ton, D.C. what their obligations are to our people, to our nations, what those treaties meant, what those responsibilities are," said Allen, chairman of the Jamestown S'Klallam tribe in Washington. "The Indian story is the biggest untold story in America, so we have to engage in a campaign that is going to educate America," Allen told the crowd. The gathering included representatives from more than 200 tribes, organizers said. Henry John, a Tribal Council member from the Puyallup tribe, said the convention was a good opportunity to hear what is happen ing elsewhere in the nation. John said he and other members of his tribe were inter ested in sharing ideas about economic de velopment. He said his tribe has a casino, but "gam ing is not the ultimate answer; we want to diversify." Rep. Patrick Kennedy, (D- Rhode Island), said the tribes' friends in Congress really have to work hard this year to defend the progress tribes had already made. Defeating a plan by the Ways and Means Chairman Bill Archer (R-Texas) and other Republicans to impose taxes on Indian ca sinos was a great victory, Kennedy said. Tribal youth experience national meeting f 1 , r- f - 1 km ill if a , : . . S V i. i it 'VXY if '111 The Native American Club from Willamina High School was invited by Tribal Council to attend the NCAI meeting in Santa Fe (see story). Students were chosen by their peers to attend. Clockwise from left: Dustin Harmon, Wellness Component; Lisa Leno, Education Division; Joe Mercier; Brian Krehbiel; Sol George; Brandy Leno; Brianna Leno; and Marie Schmidt, from the Education Committee. Dr. Ryan reports on Nanitch Sahallie at December General meeting The December Genera! Council meeting focused on the Nanitch Sahallie progress report and update, given by Dr. Bob Ryan, Nanitch Division Manager. Dr. Ryan spoke about Nanitch's culturally-specific and gender-specific program and how well it is working. Comple tion rates for Nanitch have increased since they implemented the new program, (sec chart, page 2) and Dr. Ryan believes that the gender-specific program has something to do with that. In that past when boys and girls were in the treatment program together, problems such as competitive sexual relationships, boygirl altercations related to relationships, in ability to speak in mixed groups, and abuse issues affected Nanitch 's treatment environ ment. Now, Nanitch alternates from all boys to all girls every eight weeks. "The highest rate of death among American Indian people is in our youth," said Dr. Ryan. "That's pretty sad, considering how valuable our young people are." And that is one of the teachings at Nanitch. That they learn how to respect themselves continued on page 2 Community fund grants help during holidays Your help needed for fire victims One of our tribal families have lost their home and everything they own in a house fire last month. Donations are being excepted at the tribal offices. Any household goods and furniture would be greatly appreciated, but the family is especially in need of clothing. Please contact Julie Little in Contract Health (ext. 2009) for donation information. Below is clothing and shoe size information for the family members. Mother: size 10-12, shoe size 6 Father: pants size 34x30, shoe size 10 Son, age 18: pant size 38x30, shoe size 10 Daughter, age 14: size 12, shoe size 8 12 Daughter, age 13: pant size 38x32, shoe size 9 Son, age 11: pant size 14 slim, shoe size 8 Son, age 10: pant size 14 regular, shoe size 5 The Grand Rondc Tribe and Spirit Moun tain Casino have announced two grants from the Spirit Mountain Community Fund to be awarded this month. The first grant, for $10,000 was awarded to a McMinnville-based organization, Health Dynamics Hospice, established in 1981 to "assist the dying person in manag ing his own death, in his house, surrounded by family and familiar faces." The grant will assist the organization which is part of the Legacy 1 lealth System. The second grant was awarded to the Portland Firefighters Toy and Joymakers which provides toys to children of needy families during the December holiday sea son. In operation since 1914, the future of the Toy and Joymakers program was ad versely impacted because of Measure 475 1 budget cuts. Over 1 7,000 children and their families received toys through this program in 1996. West Valley service organizations which will directly benefit from the grant will in clude Polk County Service Integration; Wil lamina, Sheridan, and Dallas Fire Depart ments; and the Mid-Valley Crisis Center in Salem. Patrick Fuge, Director of the Toy and Joymaker Program said, "Our program was on its way down and on its way out. And the Confederated Tribes of Grand Rondc stepped forward to improve Christmas for about 23,000 children this year." The grant award was for the sum of $50,000. Spirit Mountain Community Fund was created carl icr this year under a historic gam ing compact between the Tribe and Gover nor John Kitzhaber. The Tribe annually con tributes 6 of its gaming revenue to be used for grants to community projects in eleven Oregon counties. The estimated amount for the Community Fund in 1997 is $2 million. Grants have been provided to the Life Flight Network, Portland Art Museum, Or egon Beach Cleanup, Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism (SOLV), Yamhill and Polk County Sheriff's Offices, Oregon Gambling Addic tion and Treatment Foundation, American Diabetes, Elizabeth Furse Grant Program, Young Audiences, Grand Rondo Library, and Portland Repertory Theater. The eight-member Spirit Mountain Com munity Fund Board of Trustees include Kathryn Harrison, Grand Rondo Tribal Council Chair; Ed Pearsall, Council Secre tary; Leon Tom, Council member; Oregon State Senator Kate Brown; Polk County Commissioner Ron Dodge; Portland area businessman and civic leader Sho Dozono; Chuck Galford, Marketing Director for the Casino; and U.S. Attorney Kristine Olson.
