November 15, 1998
News 3
November General meeting focuses on 1999 Proposed Budget
By Tracy Dugan, Editor
By now tribal members should have
received a copy of the 1999 Proposed
Budget, Special Edition of Smoke Sig
nals for their review. Oral testimony
regarding the Proposed Budget was
heard at the General Council meet
ing on November 8. Members re
quested the testimonies be printed in
the tribal newspaper. For those mem
bers unable to attend the General
Council meeting, written comments
regarding the Proposed Budget will
be considered by Tribal Council be
fore they adopt the budget formally.
Comments will be accepted until De
cember 4, 1998, at 5 p.m. Written
comments should be hand-delivered
or mailed to: CTGR, Attention Lauri
Smith, 9615 Grand Ronde Road
Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347. Only
tribal members who are 18 years of
age or older on or before November
1, 1998 may submit comments. All
comments must include the author's
Roll Number. Oral Testimony from
November 8:
Jan Reibach, Roll 668: "I think
that a lot of members are hoping that
this per capita happens as soon as
possible. Today we have talked about
getting tribal members housing, Gen
eral Assistance, and other things. I
think we will see a decline in these
requests if this passes. I would like
to see per capita expedited."
Cheryle Kennedy, Roll 1: "I sup
port the budget process. I recom
mend comments be published. I think
we should support single mothers
and young families who need help
starting out. And I support our moth
ers being able to raise their children
in a cultural setting."
Christine Contreras, Roll 3431:
"Congratulations to Tribal Council.
We all need to appreciate the hard
work it takes to put together a budget
like this. I know there is pressure
from the membership to get per capita
going. I think we should be cautious.
We need to slow down a little bit and
make assurances for our children."
Linda Olson, Roll 3 17: "I see pros
and cons of per capita. Some people
would use it to change their lives,
some wouldn't. It's not up to you or
me to place value judgements like that
on people. The paperwork members
have to fill out when they seek emer
gency assistance and the questions
they are asked causes them to lose
their dignity. We should do some
thing for all members so they don't
have to lose their dignity."
Julie Goad, Roll 1327: ttI am here
pitching for the Elders. We have done
a wonderful job providing for them,
but not enough. Our Elders don't
have the long run. They are entitled.
We have a responsibility to make
sure they are provided for. Maybe
we could increase the retirement.
Maybe not. But we are falling short."
June Sherer, Roll 735: "I would
like to propose that Elders who live
outside of local area and do not have
access to Grand Ronde for the meals
and other things that they receive a
stipend or a voucher so they can also
have free meals. Because to me, if
you are and Elder, you deserve that."
Ken Gregg, Roll 208: These
questions will progress throughout
the year. I think a communications
officer ought to be put into place for
the Tribe. To field questions from
tribal members like yourselves when
we have questions about departments
and budget issues.
Mark Cook, Roll 73: "I work in
the maintenance department down at
the Casino, and it is the best job I have
ever had. I owe it to the Tribe. I
have always been against per capita.
You give people money, and they will
just want more the next year. And
it's not really doing anything for our
Elders."
Dakota Whitecloud, Roll 1597:
"When Elders' retirement first began,
it was $100 per month. Then it took
a jump to $400 per month. I know
because I talk to a lot of Elders that
for a lot of them that money is what
is keeping them afloat. I would like
to ask Council to consider increasing
the retirement again. Even $100
would mean a lot."
Dorothy Greene, Roll 198: "I
was born and raised in Grand Ronde.
I started working out in the woods.
Picking fern and peeling bark and us
kids took all of our money home and
we gave it to our mom and dad. I
continued on page 9
Tribal members complete training for HR Management
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The folks pictured above recently completed the Human Resources Man
agement Certification program offered by Portland State University (PSU).
This was the first Human Resource Management Certification program to be
offered off-site by PSU. The class met for one weekend a month (Friday
night, all day Saturday and Sunday) for six months at the Tribal Training
Center. This program included classes in Recruitment and Selection; Equal
Employment Opportunity; Basic Compensation; Counseling, Conflict and Com
munication; Benefits; and Management of Human Resources. There were 18
training hours per class. The majority of class participants were Spirit Moun
tain Casino employees, followed by three Tribal employees, and employees
from Praegetzer Industries; Salem Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic; A-dec; and
Klamath Tribal Youth Treatment Center. Eight tribal members completed the
course including Teresa Bailey, J.R. Jones, Carol Scott, Robert Schmid, Tersa
Stewart, Marilyn Porter, Cheryl Carl and Connie Holmes.
Pictured in back row from left: Teresa Bailey, Scott Mode, Cindy Free
man, Sheila Elliott, Marilyn Porter, Stephanie Valleton, John Reis, Robert
Schmid, Wendy Izlar, J.R. Jones, Tersa Stewart, and Verna Spaniol.
Front row from left: Daphney Colton, Patti Norton, Tammy Gould, Connie
Holmes, Karen Schmid, Cheryl Carl, Candy Rice, Bev Smith, and Carol Scott.
Not pictured: Hester Phillips and Karen Realander.