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July 15,
1998
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Urban members vote for tribal priorities
Portland, Salem and Eugene forums favor sustainable tribal programs
Story and photos by Oscar Johnson
Dan Stroebel, like most who at
tended this year's first round of com
munity forums in Portland, Salem
and Eugene, thought the July 1 meet
ing near his Springfield home was
"real productive." This was the sec
ond local forum held by the Grand
Ronde Tribe that Stroebel has at
tended and he insists "these meetings
are always productive."
He said, "It's important because lo
cal people don't have the same ac
cess (to tribal officials) that tribal
members in Grand Ronde do."
Stroebel was accompanied by his
mother Bess Burgess who soon will
be moving from Washington State to
live closer to her son. He is one of
many members who told tribal offi
cials that resources and planning
should be invested in Elder housing
and assisted living because, "caring
for our Elders is real important."
Although Elder member and Eu
gene resident, Carl Jeffers, agrees the
meeting went "real good," he has a
slightly different view on program
spending. He favors programs and
recreation clubs for tribal youth.
"I'm worried about the young kids,
we have to give them something to
do so they don't get into trouble,"
says Jeffers. "I'm not worried about
me hell, I'm old."
These are just two of the many
views members had a chance to share
with tribal officials at the first three
of five community meetings to be
held this summer. The meetings were
called to solicit member input on com
munity needs, program spending and
other uses of tribal funds.
Overall, members from Oregon's
three most populous cities showed
broad support for long-term financial
planning while favoring enhanced
program services as the number one
tribal need.
Two more meetings are slated this
month in Grand Ronde and Bend.
At each meeting Acting Executive
Officer, Greg Archuleta, gave an
overview of the Tribe's recent his
tory, Strategic Plan and re
sources followed with a sum
mary by, Executive Assistant,
Chris Leno on tribal funds and
program spending.
Spirit Mountain Casino
President, Bruce Thomas,
was also on hand to outline
the Tribe's number one
source of annual income
while Intergovernmental Af
fairs lobbyist, Justin Martin,
reported on the Tribe's stake
holder interests in state and
federal legislative activities.
After the brief presentations mem
bers divided into smaller groups to
ask questions, list concerns and make
suggestions on tribal funds, programs
and future projects. The four-hour
sessions culminated in members vot
ing for general areas or specific
projects they wanted resources de
voted to in the future.
Pension, health and education ben
efits tied for the most votes in Eugene
while Salem members showed that
I . ?. ;
Tribal members in Eugene vote
on issues of concern at a commu
nity meeting.
developing Grand Ronde businesses,
, schools and utilities were their top
priority. In Portland members fa
vored education, Member Benefit
Fund, and health insurance. Other
ideas favored by members include
starting a tribal credit union, full-time
continued on page 3
Gaming Commission selected for pilot project
The Grand Ronde Gaming Com
mission (GRGC) is pleased to an
nounce that the National Indian Gam
ing Commission (NIGC), located in
Washington, D.C. has been selected
to participate in the second phase of
its pilot project. The project objec
tive is to "simplify and reduce the
amount of paperwork submitted by
tribal governments and reduce the
time and expense tribes spend on cop
ing with documents."
During the first phase of the
project, the background investigative
reports and licencing decisions of
tribal gaming commissions were re
viewed and evaluated. Based on the
results of the first phase, six tribes
were selected to progress to the sec
ond phase. The National Indian Gam
ing Commission stated that Grand
Ronde "has demonstrated the ability
to conduct thorough background in
vestigations and have submitted con
sistent investigative reports."
As a result, the GRGC will no
longer be required to submit a copy
of employee applications, investiga
tive reports, and licencing decisions
to NIGC. Since its inception in 1995,
the Grand Ronde Gaming Com
mission's top priority has been to es
tablish itself as a leader in the regula
tion of tribal gaming.
rfg. Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde PRESORTED
(gtSM Community of Oregon FIRST-CLASS MAIL
J3 9615 Grand Ronde Road U.S. POSTAGE
(M()M) Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347 PAID
1 jyjo Address Service Requested SALEM, OR
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Fox, James (Special Coll.)
Kni9ht Library, UofO
Eu9ene OR 37403
Hooley and Hatfield make recent visits
Oregon Representative Darlene Hooley (pictured below with Council
Chair Kathryn Harrison and Council member Chip Tom) toured the
Health and Wellness Center, Casino, and other tribal facilities earlier
this month.
Also, former Senator Mark Hatfield lead a delegation of entrepre
neurs and doctors who recently called on Tribal Council with a pro
posal to tackle the spiraling diabetes epidemic in Grand Ronde. Hat
field, who is honorary chairman of the Omega Point Foundation, out
lined a proposal called G.R.A.N.D. (Grand Ronde Action and News
about Diabetes). The Omega Point Foundation would like to implement
and manage this community-based diabetes program.
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