4 Opinion
Smoke Signals
Dear Editor:
First, we would like to thank the Edi
tor and staff for putting out an infor
mative newspaper. We enjoy and
look forward to getting ours. Thank
you!
Second, we would like to take this
opportunity to ask that the Tribal
Council vote to appoint a representa
tive in Central Oregon (Prineville,
Burns, Bend, Redmond, Lapine, etc.)
as liaison to the Council with our
needs and concerns. Also, we need
to add Central Oregon to the Ten
County Area for assistance. We have
a lot of Elders here who are in need.
Possibly, we can help this represen
tative in organizing a group to help
the Elders in need here. To hold
meetings and get an accounting of our
members here. We have a lot of ideas
to share and would like to have our
own representative.
Third, I purchased a home through
the Oregon Department of Veterans'
Affairs approximately 16 years ago
and neither myself nor my wife is edu
cated in fixed verse variable rates. At
the time of application neither the
Oregon Department of Veterans' Af
fairs or the lender explained this to
us. I am not proud to say I have a
limited education and this has really
hurt me financially. I purchased this
house for $38,000. At 16 years of
payments at a variable rate increase,
I still owe $30,000. If I had been in
formed at the time of purchase,, I
would have chosen the fixed rate and
would probably have had my home
paid for or close to paid off by now.
I would like to hear from other vet
erans who may have had the same
thing happen to them.
In closing, I would be interested in
hearing from members in the Cen
tral Oregon area with your ideas on
this letter.
Sincerely,
Robert E. Rife, Roll 1151
1501 Kramer Road
Prineville, OR 97754 '
Dear Editor:
I enjoy getting the "used to be"
Smoke Signals.
I don't care what other people out
side of the Tribe think. They are jeal
ous of who and what we are. If we
let other people dictate to us, then we
are no better than them.
And as far as Tribal Council mak
ing the decision for us, that was
wrong. We have our own minds, and
can speak our minds.
I am constantly hearing about the
Tribal Council members saying we
are all one. It's things like this that
make that statement untrue.
We need to have respect for all
tribal members feelings. We can
speak for ourselves, so give us a
chance.
The only time tribal members hear
about stuff is when it is done and put
in the paper. Then you have a whole
bunch of angry tribal members. I am
one of many.
Donna Morris
Roll 1363
To whom it may concern:
The name change of the tribal news
letter from "Smoke Signals" to
"Grand Ronde Review" will not im
prove the quality of information it con
tains. Changes other than the name
change will improve the quality.
The original tribal newsletter began
in 1974 in the office, of a Salem-based
C.E.T.A. program, and shortly there
after was named "Smoke Signals."
This small newsletter carried infor
mation to tribal members, organiza
tions, and local, state and federal
agencies.
Changing the name after 24 years
is losing a part of the Tribe's history
and is an injustice to the many people
involved in the twelve year journey
that ended with the Restoration of the
Tribe.
I firmly believe that the "Grand
Ronde Review" should revert back to
its original title of "Smoke Signals,"
the first and only newsletter of the Con
federated Tribes of Grand Ronde.
Marvin Kimsey
Roll 334
3& HPf30MT HftV
gMOKE SIGNAL
9615 Grand Ronde Road
Grand Ronde, Or 97347
EDITOR:
TRACY DUGAN 879-2254
REPORTER: ;
OSCAR JOHNSON 879-2321
GRAPHICS & COORDINATOR:
KIM MUELLER 879-2264
1-800-422-O232
NEWS FAX: (503) 879-2263 ;
E-MAIL ADDRESSES:
tracydmail.grandronde.org ?
kimmmail.grandronde.org -oscarjohnsonjournalist.com
Dear Editor:
I was very disappointed a few
months ago to see the name of the
Smoke Signals changed to The Grand
Ronde Review. The name "Smoke
Signals" is a name we all associated
and linked with the Tribe, even when
we were trying to get restored to
tribal status. We waited for those
copies of the Smoke Signals to arrive
at our homes so that we could know
how the Restoration effort was mov
ing along. At times we could hardly
read the paper when we got it because
it was done on an old mimeograph
machine and the ink was hardly vis
ible but it was still very important to
us and we knew there was no money
for better equipment.
After the Tribe was restored and I
was hired as a Nurse's Assistant in
the health program, I would do home
visits with tribal Elders in the sur
rounding areas and I would see stacks
of copies of Smoke Signals sitting
neatly on tables. The Elders would
talk about how important the paper
was to them and they would ask me
questions about how the tribal pro
grams were growing and if they rec
ognized a name or face in the paper,
they wanted to know about family
connections.
In my opinion, the "Smoke Sig
nals" is a tribal tradition and it is the
link that held us together, no matter
where we lived. I 'would like to see
the tribal newsletter name revert back
to "Smoke Signals." 1 v
Respectfully submitted,
Bonnie Martin-Tom
: Roll 534 -
Fellow tribal members:
I would like to respond to the re
quest for suggestions for a name for
our tribal community paper. I must
admit, I was disappointed at the name
change without notification, or any
say in the matter. I am compelled to
express my feelings and opinion on
this issue.
Let me say that our culture and heri
tage is a very important part of the
life of my children and myself, and
our household. We take pride in our
history, and are proud to express our
beliefs whenever, and wherever we
can.
Two hundred years ago, our fore
fathers felt the need to exchange news
and ideas just as we do now. Of
course, technology has made this
task much easier, but the end result
is still the same. When spreading
news or information, a runner was
dispatched from each encampment,
and tribe to tribe. Only the strongest
and fastest tribal members were cho
sen for this great honor, and they took
great pride in their task. For the most
part, these individuals were treated
with great respect and dignity.
For these reasons, I respectfully
suggest that the newspaper be re
named The Runner. I believe this
name is simple, and reflects the spirit
in which the exchange of news and
information was passed throughout
the local Native communities. I be
lieve it is extremely important to re
tain as much of our Native roots as
we possibly can,'; for ourselves, our
children, and our future. Thank you
all for your time.
Sincerely,
Mel Schultz
Roll 1401
One vote per tribal member over 18 years of age.
Grand Ronde Review
Grand Ronde Tribal Review ,
Grand Ronde Native Review
Five Feathers News
Grand Ronde Tribal News
Smoke Signals
I have no preference
Other
Please include your Roll Number:
PLEASE RETURN TO: Newspaper Office
9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347
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