Opinion
Smoke Signals
Letters
Dear Editor:
My name is Camden Kelley. My great grand
mother was Teanie Miller who just recently passed
away at age 96. My grandmother, mother, and
sister are all tribal members.
I am presently a student at Treasure Valley Com
munity College in Ontario, Oregon. I am a sopho
more this year and will transfer to a four year
school next year to complete my education.
I am writing this letter to the tribal Council to
express my thanks because this year I was awarded
an undergraduate scholarship when the Council
generously decided to offer seven additional schol
arships to tribal applicants. I consider myself very
fortunate and proud to receive this scholarship. It
will enable me to complete my college education
without having to take out substantial loans which
I would have to pay back after graduation.
I also want to publicly thank Marion Mercier and
Dean Azule for their help in attaining scholarship
money, and to let you, the Tribal Council, know
that these are good people and very supportive of
students in the Higher Education program.
Finally, I also wanted to let you know that it makes
me proud to say I am a member of the Grand
Ronde Tribe when I read in the Smoke Signals about
the housing project, the new health center, the
health insurance program, the Elders' Pension pro
gram, and the various public donations to things
like OMSI. I believe that is an excellent way to
spend tribal income.
Again, I want to thank you for your support and
commend you for your work.
Camden Kelley '
Roll 3454
To the Editor:
I wish to add my two cents worth to the discus
sion on sharing Casino profits. I'd like to thank
Mr. Haller. I planned on sending in my thoughts
on the subject, but Mr. Haller did much better than
I could.
What he says is true, especially about the few
who are benefiting. I am an Elder and I am happy
I am getting the monthly check and insurance. I'm
also happy my children and grandchildren will too,
someday. However, I don't think I am greedy by
wanting to benefit NOW. After all, there are some
of us who will not be around to share this happy
future which "they" are forecasting.
Sincerely,
Sally E. Weiss
Roll 2765
Dear Tribal Council:
After reading my January 20 Smoke Signals, I
felt that as a member I would try to explain why
members are not happy with your decisions as a
Tribal Council. Ed Pearsall's letter was very good,
but as a tribal member living outside of the area, I
benefit very little from my tribal membership. You
say that we need to work together to achieve our
common goal; that goal being in the long-term fu
ture. Well, that is all fine and good, but for most
of us, the long-term future is now. After losing
two family members in the last two years (my fa
ther and my granddaughter) and having a heart
attack myself, it makes me wonder how you can
justify this statement. Are you not supposed to
help all members equally? We on the outside are
making our own way with no help. What about
you over there with all your benefits and jobs sup
plied by the Tribe?
My father and granddaughter passed away while
waiting for your past promises to come true. They
will never see any profits or benefits like you do,
but I don't worry because I know you are looking
out for us.
I don't understand why we can't have two or three
Council members who live outside of the area on
conference calls when the Council meeting is in
session. If we can afford a new retail center (what
are our qualifications to manage it, and are we
going to let someone, not a member, manage it for
us) we can surely afford a conference call! And
while I am making suggestions, what about a tribal
member booklet printed annually, that lists names,
addresses, and phone numbers so that other mem
bers could mail them campaign literature, infor
mation, or opinions on issues? As it stands now,
the Tribal Council members have control of the
votes isn't that nice. This will keep all the greedy
and ugly people (basically 80 of the members
that live off of the reservation) from getting upset,
because we know that you are looking after your
best interests! It seems to me that Tribal Council's
policy is "They don't live here, so let's ignore
them."
You asked for comments, so I guess what I am
trying to say is that we are all tribal members
equally and we should benefit equally and have
equal say. We should plan for the future, but we
should also take care of the present. I would like
to hear from other members.
Cliff Gregg, Roll 202
65317 Saddle Drive
Bend, Oregon 97701
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OLD ADDRESS:
NEW ADDRESS:
Recent Tribal Council actions
Wednesday, January 28, 1998
Kathryn Harrison called the meeting to order at
5 p.m. All Council members were present except
Mark Mercier, who was on travel status and he
was excused.
The Council unanimously voted to submit a grant
application for $50,000 for the purpose of historic
preservation. The grant was written by Bob
McElderry with the assistance of June Olson, Cul
tural Resource Protection Specialist.
The Government, Management, and Budget Sub
committee recommended publishing changes to the
Tribal Tort Claims Ordinance and the Employee
Claims Ordinance (See page 11). They also rec
ommended to approve changes to the Housing
Authority's repair and down payment assistance
programs (see page 9).
Employee Curtis Rentsch asked Council to ap
prove a one hour administrative leave for all staff
on February 20 so that staff can attend a Safety
Awareness Day at the Community Center, hosted
by the Tribe's Safety Committee. Tribal Council
approved the request.
SMOKE SIGNALS
9615 Grand Ronde Road
Grand Ronde, Or 97347
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SUBMISSIONS FROM OUR READERS:
SMOKE SIGNALS, a publication of the Confeder
ated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Or
egon, is publised twice a month. 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 signa
ture, address, and phone number in order to be con
sidered for publication. 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 re
flect the opinions of SMOKE SIGNALS, tribal em
ployees, or Tribal Council.
UPCOMING DEADLINES:
Monday, February 16, 1998
Thursday, March 5, 1998
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