OR. COLL.
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78
.06
S66
September
1, 1998
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Tribal properties may become
Grand Ronde Reservation
By Oscar Johnson
The Grand Ronde Tribe is cur
rently penning a proposal that
would make certain tribal
properties part of the federally rec
ognized reservation ending 44
years that the Tribe has gone without
an official reservation homeland.
If passed, the Grand Ronde Reser
vation Act would redefine the offi
cial status of seven parcels of land
purchased after the Tribe was re
stored in 1983. The 191 acres, cur
rently held in trust by the U.S. gov
ernment, would officially become
part of the Grand Ronde Reservation.
"It is a technical amendment to en
sure that lands are kept and maintained
in trust for the benefit of the Tribe,"
explained Grand Ronde Acting Execu
tive Officer, Greg Archuleta.
If Congress grants the properties
reservation status they would be fur
ther protected from any legislative
challenges to the process of putting
land into trust that might arise in the
future, said Archuleta.
The properties outlined in the
amendment include the location of the
Grand Meadows and pending Elders'
housing developments, Grand Ronde
Gaming Commission office, cem
etery, old depot and remaining tribal
lands around Spirit Mountain Casino.
Tribal lobbyists are adding the fin
ishing touches to the bill which Grand
Ronde officials hope will be ratified
by both the U.S. House and Senate
then signed into law by October, Ar
chuleta said.
However, legislative protection of
tribal lands may not be the only ben
efit of the amendment.
In a recent address to Hillsboro
residents and city officials, Council
Chairwoman, Kathryn Harrison,
punctuated Grand Ronde 's heritage
by chronicling the Tribe's history.
A history that links the well-being
of the Tribe both to U.S. recognition
of its own treaty obligations; and the
aboriginal recognition of Grand
Ronde as a homeland.
"What is an Indian without land?"
she asked. "What is a tribe without
resources?"
The questions recall a history in
which the U.S. government began
whittling away the original 69,120
acre Grand Ronde Reservation by
privatizing 33,000 acres in 1887; then
reclaiming and selling an additional
25,791 in 1901; followed by termi
nation in 1954 stripping the Tribe
of all treaty and land rights.
Even after regaining 9,811 acres of
the original reservation five years
after the Tribe was restored to its fed
erally recognized status in 1983, Har
rison noted "we didn't even know at
the time it was uninhabitable land."
Outlining the struggle first for res
toration and then for resources and a
homeland to help rebuild the Grand
Ronde Tribe, Harrison said, "We
only want our rightful place back
amongst the recognized tribes of In
dian nations."
If Congress passes the Grand
Ronde Reservation Act, properties
vital to the Tribe's communal resi
dence will not only be secured as a
reservation but another significant
step would be taken in rebuilding the
indigenous nation of Grand Ronde.
Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde
Community of Oregon
9615 Grand Ronde Road
Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347
Address Service Requested
Serials Dept. - Knight Library
1299 UNIVERSITY OF OREGON
EUGENE OR 97403-1205
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PERMIT NO. 178
Agency Creek Road closed for two weeks
Two culverts on Agency Creek that have been a fish passage problem are
being replaced. Starting August 28, Agency Creek Road will be closed at
"Mile Post 6" for approximately two weeks. Following this project, another
culvert at the start of the Upper West Fork Road of Agency Creek (500 Road)
will also be replaced, and is expected to take two weeks.
We apologize for the inconvenience, but we assure you that this will in
crease fish habitat and improve fish populations. Detour signs will be in place
to guide you around the road closure and the Tribe's Natural Resources Divi
sion office will have maps. You may call them at 879-2382 to get the latest
road closure report.