July 15, 1998
News and Opinion
3
SMOKE SIGNALS
9615 Grand Ronde Road
Grand Ronde, Or 97347
EDITOR:
TRACY DUGAN
(503) 879-2254
REPORTER:
OSCAR JOHNSON
(503) 879-2321
GRAPHICS SC NEWS
COORDINATOR:
KIM MUELLER
(503) 879-2264
1-800-422-0232
FAX: (503) 879-2263
E-MAIL ADDRESSES:
tracynewsmacnet.com
kimnewsmacnet.com
oscarJohnsonjournalist.com
Members of the Native American
Journalist Association, the Associated
Press, and Society of News Design.
SUBMISSIONS
FROM OUR READERS:
SMOKE SIGNALS, a publication of
the Confederated Tribes of the Grand
Ronde Community of Oregon, Is pub
lished twice a month. We have estab
lished an Editorial Policy to encourage
Input from readers about stories
printed in SMOKE SIGNALS, and
other tribal issues. However, all let
ters must be received at the newspa
per office with author's signature, ad
dress, and phone number In order to
be considered 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 con
tain libelous statements or personal at
tacks. Not all letters are guaranteed
publication upon submission. Pub
lished letters do not necessarily reflect
the opinions of SMOKE SIGNALS,
tribal employees, or Tribal Council.
UPCOMING DEADLINES:
Monday, July 20, 1998
Wed., August 5, 1998
0
Printed on recycled paper.
Dear Editor:
We would like to thank everyone
who has made it possible for my fam
ily and I to own our own home.
Donna Both from Valley Home Cen
ter in Fruitland, Idaho helped us
through the process step-by-step. She
said when she spoke with Bryan Lan
gley he was very helpful. Also, the
Housing Department sent our grant
right out to us. So thanks to all, and
to Bryan Langley for helping us into
our new home.
Ken Haller, Roll 224
New Plymouth, Idaho
staffing of the Tribe's Portland office,
diversifying Smoke Signals' news
coverage and acquiring more tribal
lands.
While the votes showed over
whelming support for the Member
Benefit Fund, many such as Sharon
Hanson, voiced concern that the
Tribe continue "spending money
wisely." For Hanson that means more
than just spending, "it means saving
and investing."
Hanson's concerns echoed state
ments made by several members in
all three cities that favored using tribal
resources sparingly to ensure future
prosperity over paying out larger
sums of cash to individuals.
Discussions on the topic ranged
from Portland members proposing a
self-sustaining Member Benefit Fund
such as interest or profit sharing
which would save the principle bal
ance for future use, to those in Salem
voicing concern over undue depen
dency on the annual disbursements.
But Hanson and other members at
the June 30 Salem meeting were also
worried about something else mem
ber participation.
"Very few people came that were
just ordinary tribal members," Han
son noted. Although 25 to 30 mem
bers not employed by the Tribe came
to cast their votes at each of the Port
land and Eugene meetings, only six
showed up in Salem. "It's vital for
us to have input from people who
Dear Editor:
I just want to thank the Tribe for
helping to make me a first-time home
buyer. I couldn't have done it with
out the Grand Meadows project and
the Down Payment Assistance pro
gram. I am very grateful to the Coun
cil for having the vision to set up these
programs which enable tribal mem
bers to become self-sufficient. I am
also very grateful to such dedicated
employees as Bryan Langley and
Terri Easttorp for going beyond the
scope of their duties to help make the
transition a little easier.
In Spirit,
Perri McDaniel
Special thanks
To JILL JEFFERS: The Elders
would all like to have you on our trips
with us. We all feel safe and cared
for. You are cheerful, and make us
feel cheerful, too.
To LISA ADAMS: We would also
like to thank you for being so helpful
with us. You are a bit of sunshine...
Thank you both,
The Elders
take the time to come," she added.
For conscientious members such as
Kristin Senner, however, a chance to
give her input at a public forum in
her home city of Portland has been
long over due.
"I'm glad they have these meet
ings," says Senner. "We feel that we
aren't included in a lot of the deci
sion making process."
Senner was one of many active par
ticipants in a crowd of about 50 mem
ber, Council and administrative at
tendees of Portland's June 29 meet
ing. Her main concerns are about
unchecked growth based solely on
Casino revenues and adequate mem
ber participation in tribal decision
making. Since she became an en
rolled member of the Grand Ronde
Tribe two years ago the concerned
constituent says it has been difficult
to learn about tribal issues let alone
have a say in them.
Candidate withdraws
Dear tribal members:
I am withdrawing my name from
the Council election. This decision
has not been made in haste or with
out extensive consideration. Since
accepting the nomination for Coun
cil, I have accepted a new position
with Spirit Mountain Casino. This
position will afford me the opportu
nity to learn and grow. The decision
to run for Council or to take the posi
tion was very difficult. I believe in
the long run, that when I do decide
to run for Council again, this posi
tion will definitely add valuable ex
perience, knowledge, and make me
a much better candidate.
Respectfully,
Sanda (Langley) Henny
Roll ft 409
August 1 at 11 a.m.
Community Center
Tribal members who have questions
but can not attend, may send their
questions in writing to: Valorie Sheker,
Election Board, 9615 Grand Ronde Rd,
Grand Ronde, OR 97347.
"Calling (the tribal office) doesn't
work to get information after you
get someone on the line you just get
shifted from one person to the next,"
she says. "Forums like this are good.
I would like to have them here more
often."
However, the community meetings
are more than just an open forum.
For many tribal members living in
larger cities outside the Grand Ronde
area the meetings are a rare opportu
nity to come together as a tribal com
munity. Streobel notes that although
it was almost 9 p.m. when the Eu
gene meeting adjourned, most of the
25 or so members milled about Lane
Community College socializing for a
good reason.
"This is not just a bunch of people
getting together," he explains. "This is
community. That's why our name is
the 'Confederated Tribes of the Grand
Ronde Community of Oregon."'
WOT
- 7
I ... -- . - -
Portland: Justin Martin relays current legislative happenings to members.
Tribal community meeting results, continued from page 1