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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
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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.