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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 15, 1997)
2 December 15, 1997 SMOKE SIGNALS W Letters to the Editor . Hi, my name is Herb Waggoner. I am a rehire in housekeeping at Spirit Mountain Casino. I would like to say thanks to all the housekeepers for all the help they give me. If there was an award for a whole crew I think they deserve it, for they are all team players. The little bit I work with the grave and swing I see how much they do to help me. So thanks to everyone, no one could ask for more. You're all great keep up the good work. Sincerely, Herb Waggoner Roll 2554 To the Editor: My favorite Christmas was celebrated in 1946. I had been attending Chemawa In dian School, along with my younger sister, Sharon. We stayed in McBride Hall, which was for girls in the 1st through the 6th grades. Some of the 6th grade girls were moved to the big girls' building, but I was allowed to room with my sister. I was terri bly homesick. The train track ran through Chemawa and the sound of the old steam engine's whistle would wake me up and I would think about my home in Chiloquin, Oregon. I missed my family and friends. I played a little flute and was asked to perform for the staffs Christmas Party. That was very exciting. I played Joy To The World and Silent Night. Mom and Dad sent for us at Christmas time and we were so glad to be returning home. When we went in to the house, we found a beautiful Christmas tree decorated with blue lights and ornaments, silver icicles, and angel hair. Ever since that Christmas I remember how beautiful that tree was and how happy I was to be home. HAPPY HOLIDAYS. Claudette Parazoo Roll 2923 My name is SpecialistMICKY HERRON. I'm in the United States Army. Back in March, I was deployed to Bosnia. I was there for seven months. During that time I realized how much small things get taken for granted and how important family is. I got alot of support from my family members, but the person I would like to thank the most is my grandmother Margaret McAbee. I recieved a letter from her almost every day. Gram, I just wanted to say thank you and I love you. I'm looking forward to being home in December, thanks for everything and it is great to be back in the United States. General meeting reports on Nanitch; casino A special family note to his proud gram: After returning to his base in Kansas, Micky was married on November 8 and they are expecting their first baby together in July 1998. Micky also will be moving home at the time of his discharge from the Army. i t0 - I r 4 m( continued from front page and their bodies by learning to value them selves as people. "So many times, a young person comes to us with a feeling of lone liness; he or she thinks they are nothing, and Dr. Robert Ryan no one would ever want them around," he said. Dr. Ryan said that we need to talk to our youth with respect, and instead of judging them, let them try to explain for themselves why they chose to make the decisions they have in life. "It is important to keep in touch with our clients after they finish the program," Dr. Ryan said. "We need to develop an after care program and keep in contact with our community and clients." Bruce Thomas, President of Spirit Moun tain, Inc., gave his usual gaming update at the meeting. "We now have 147 tribal members em ployed by the Casino," he said. "And our expansion is ahead of schedule by a couple of weeks." Brace said the hotel project will be put out to bid in mid-February, and that Novem ber was a profitable month for the Casino. Spirit Mountain has embarked on a new development venture to join in a real estate partnership in order to purchase a small re tail mall in Salem. "We have agreed to finance the construc tion project through our line of credit," said Bruce. "Then we will own 55 of the project." The property, which Tribal Coun cil and Spirit Mountain Board of Directors approved to purchase this month, is located on Commercial Street in Salem. So far, one business has already committed to leasing part of the 22,000 square-foot space. Door Prize winners were: Betty Felix, $50; Bob Mercier, $50 (donated to the Elders' Committee); Adrian Contrerras, $50; and Albert Ellison, $100. Nanitch Sahallie Completion Rates 60- 50- 30 20 - 0 "i i i '- I 1994-26 1995-62 -66 1997-71 Q Years 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 libel ous statements or personal attacks. Not all letters are guaranteed publica tion upon submission. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the opin ions of Smoke Signals, tribal employees, or Tribal Council. Submissions to Smoke Signals MUST reach the office by the 5th or 20th of each month for the following issue. Send to: SMOKE SIGNALS, 961 5 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347 Fax: (503) 879-2263 Phone: (503) 879-2253 TRACY DUGAN - Editor - e-mail: tracynewsmacnet.com KIM MUELLER - Assistant - e-mail: kimnewsmacnet.com SMOKE SIGNALS is a member of the Native American Journalist Association. Please claim dental insurance cards If your name is on the list below please claim your dental insurance cards by calling the Risk Management office at 1 -800-442-0346 or (503) 879-222 1 . Tyler Hudson Gregory Ballcras Jessica Leibelt LeviLeibelt LeeGolcsis Taylor Tinaco Robert Holmes Savanna Moreno Tiffany Cullen Mason Keppinger Amy Jeffers Alicia Petite James McCool III TonyMcDaniel John Simmons Anthony Lopez Brandi Stevens Tina Gregg Marlee Davis Mciy the spirit of this peaceful season touch, your heart and bring yon joy.
