March 15, 1998
Tribal Life
9
RtSCry New heritage group is formed
Alice Jane 4Roni' Petite, 47, of Salem, died at
her home. She was born in Tillamook and worked
for the Oregon State Agriculture Department for
30 years. Alice loved fast cars. She was a mem
ber of the Grand Ronde Tribe and St. Joseph Catho
lic Church.
Survivors include her brothers, Henry Petite and
Philip LeBeau, both of Salem.
Spouse passes on
David Lopez, husband of tribal member Connie
(Mercier) Lopez passed away at his home in Santa
Rosa Village, Arizona due to diabetic complica
tions. Services were held on February 19 & 20
and were attended by Darrel and Ruth Mercier of
Grand Ronde. David was a member of the Tohono
O'odham Nation of Arizona.
Thank you to members
I wish to extend my heartfelt thanks for the $150
check brought to me by my mom and dad for my
husband's wake and funeral. Your prayers and
thoughts toward me are appreciated. Although
David's death was most sudden and unexpected,
everyone has told me he suffered from his illness.
His adult children, siblings, Papago relatives, and
Yaqui friends have also said that he's in a better
place and no longer suffering. I feel enriched by
the emotional support of people here... my family,
relatives, the Val Grout family, and tribal mem
bers. Again, I say thank you.
Sincerely, J - - '
Connie Lopez
Roll 532
Special thanks
The Elders' Committee wishes to thank the anony
mous contribution of $50 they received last month.
Whoever you are, your generosity is greatly appreciated.
March 26
Happy 2nd Birthday,
THOMAS
I I
1
Love, your mom and dad
Thomas Murphy Schmitt is the son of
Steve and Patti Schmitt of San Jose, Ca.
Grandparents are Gary Lewis and Polly Lewis.
Great grandparents are Norma and Peb Lewis.
A new group designed to protect and preserve
tribal heritage has been founded. "Seekers" is
made up of tribal members, Elders, and citizens
with an interest in preservation. The first meeting
was held February 21, where a chairman, Tho
mas LaChance (503-864-3327) was elected; and
co-chair, Cindy Gulledge (503-864-3385) was
elected. Charlene LaChance was elected secretary.
Many ideas and areas of interest were shared. Each
individual is seeking information in a particular
area, but the group acknowledges the need to share
information with each other and the Grand Ronde
community.
Cultural Resource Protection Specialist June
Olson was the guest speaker. She shared a brief
history of the Tribe and contact information about
other persons in her department and other tribal
departments who may have information. Seekers
unanimously voted to share all information it finds
with the Cultural Resource Department.
The frist project Seekers will be working on is a
traditional cookbook fundraiser. The group hopes
to be able to present the recipes of tribal ances-
fT. PADDY'S DAY CASH CIV6AWAYS I
Spirit Mountain will be giving out $25 to $100 cash .
prizes to lucky casino goers on March 17. $1500 1
I will be handed out in all a total of $500 during
C three different time periods: 1 1 a.m.-I p.m.( 3 p.m.-5 3
P p.m., & 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
MARCH 20: SPRING FUNC DANC6
MARCH 21: '50S SOCK HOP
Put on your dancing shoes (and socks). Come to
Spirit Mountain on March 20th and dance into
spring as KLOO s DJ spins the hits of the '50s through
P the '90s. Then return on the 2 1st for a '50s sock hop
, featuring the sounds of the Bouncing Baby Boomers.
r Both dances run from 9 p.m. to midnight, with doors
opening at 8:30 p.m. No charge for admission. No 1
one under 21. Spirit Mountain Casino. Hwy. 18,
I -800-760-7977. www.spint-mountain.com
JPIWT
MOUNTAIN
CASINO
tors, and many Elders have already offered to help.
The group is currently seeking permission from
Cultural Resource Protection to be able to provide
a drop box for tribal members to bring in their
recipes. All recipes will be copied from the origi
nals, which will be left on file at Cultural Resource
Protection office.
Seekers would like to have a way to contact con
tributors, either by telephone or through the mail,
and would also like to include photos with each
recipe. Any historical information about the reci
pes would be greatly appreciated. For example,
was it changed from it's original form to accom
modate the times? Was a recipe originally pre
pared with wapatos rather than potatoes? Please
share what you have.
We are all seekers and finders, and the interpre
tations are left up to the tribal members. Anyone
who is interested in participating in Seekers is wel
come to come to the meetings and get involved.
The next meeting is scheduled for Saturday,
March 21 at the Community Center, beginning at
10 a.m.
it
HUNT
f
Saturday April ll
10 a.m.
6irand Ponde elementary School
Ages 0-10, Open to the Community
Sponsored the Tribal VMlnea Program.
happy eAsrep.!
1
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