November 15, 1998
Community 9
Budget hearing, continued from page 3
SMC receives community honor
Greg Archuleta, Acting Ex
ecutive Officer, shows the
plaque awarded to Spirit Moun
tain Casino by Today's Choices...
Tomorrow's Community. The
organization is dedicated to pur
suing a high quality of life for
the people of Polk and Marion
counties. The Casino contrib
utes to this cause. The Polk
County Service Integration
Team was also honored.
v v
Oregon Governor's School seeks
applicants for Summer 1999
started working when I was eleven
years old. There was no work here
when we were terminated, so I went
to work in a hospital in California. I
worked there for 28 years. And I
am not sorry. But I think some of
our young people should do the same
thing. Thank you."
Kim Contreras, Roll 2138: "The
Elders should have a volunteer pro
gram. I am willing to volunteer my
time to spend with Elders. To talk,
to read with them. I would like to
donate some time. I just got hired on
as Education Aide for the Tribe's
children in the Education department.
The Tribe has come a long way from
having nothing. There is a lot going
on. People working for the Tribe and
Council should commend them
selves. One thing I am going to do
with kids in grades K-12 is teach cul
tural history. Remember education
starts in the home. I would hate to
see this tribe be just about the
money."
Barbara Lake, Roll 952: "I'll just
take this time to encourage Tribal
Council to look at options so we are
not wasting this revenue we have.
The health insurance the Tribe
provides... the Tribe pays an indi
vidual premium for my four children
through the Member Benefits. If they
paid a premium for all of us on my
'employee plan, it would save the
Tribe about $600 dollars a month. I
am a little concerned that with all this
revenue, we are not taking the time
to explore ways to save money."
Perri McDaniel, Roll 2524:
"Back in 1997 I graduated with the
help of the Tribe from the University
of Washington. When I took fund
ing from the Tribe I made a decision
to work here upon graduation be
cause I wanted to give something
back. I do work for the Tribe's Small
Business Development program
now. I am very grateful to the Tribe.
My concern is that 25 of gaming
revenue is a lot of money. If my pro
jections are right, that's 20 million
dollars to give away, when we
haven't even serviced our debt yet.
We are a very young tribe, and we
have to consider the future. Short
sightedness can really hurt us. With
all the attacks on sovereignty, we can
really get hurt. If we lose state and
federal funding, we would be hurt
ing. I don't know if any of us would
be really better off. I think we need
to think about this real seriously.
Every tribe needs a strong founda
tion, a strong nucleus. We need to
develop our infrastructure, our home
base."
LaVeta Haller, Roll 732: "I
think we have heard a lot of good
comments here. And I think we need
to proceed with caution. If we look
at how it was last year, I think we have
a lot of happy people. Last year these
meetings weren't very happy some
times. I think our leaders are doing
a very good job."
Stanley Jeffers, Roll 1320: "I
spent the last twenty years in Alaska.
I went home to my parents after the
Marine Corps. I started a new life in
Alaska. I worked very hard, did
what I could do to survive. I gave up
everything to come home to my tribe
to make a difference. I didn't have
any money or a job and I came to the
Tribe for help. I was ridiculed, ac
cused of being threatening to endan
ger people around me. That wasn't
me. I was worried about my wife and
children. I got my own job at the
casino. I poured out all concrete for
the hotel. Since then I have not had a
job. As far as per capita goes, and
housing and all that, I am for that
because I can use that instead of pick
ing moss and picking up cans to feed
my children. I would like to see per
capita come so I can buy tools to work
because I owe my landlord $500 and
I don't have it. I don't want to go
through what I did last time. I need
work. I am not looking for favors, I
just want to work. Let's get it together
and take care of each other so we
don't have to ask for anything."
Rex Haller, Roll 905: "Last year
I went through a major addiction. I
lost about everything I had. I recov
ered through the Tribe's program. I
have been trying to get into a home
and a car. The money I have gotten
from the Tribe has helped me out quite
a bit. I would like to thank Tribal
Council for their support."
SALEM The Oregon Governor's
School (OGS) is currently accepting
applications from high school stu
dents throughout Oregon for its 8th
Annual Summer Institute and Lead
ership Training Program. The theme
is "Ethical Problem-Solving for Or
egon Communities."
OGS is a two-part, year-long lead
ership and community service train
ing program for high school students.
The program begins with a three
week, residential Summer Institute to
be held from June 20 to July 9, 1999
at Willamette University in Salem.
The Institute focuses on skill build
ing "in the areas of critical . thinking,
communication, negotiation, conflict
management, team-building and
project development. Students also
meet with key leaders in the state,
work on community service projects,
and participate in an outdoor wilder
ness and field studies project.
Following the Institute, students
participate in a series of follow-up
training sessions and opportunities to
work on both individual and group
service projects with other youth to
address the needs of their communi
ties. This phase of OGS is known as
"Youth Initiatives" and takes place
regionally throughout the state.
"We seek youth who represent di
verse ethnic, academic and socioeco
nomic backgrounds from all corners
of Oregon," says Dr. Marilyn
Johnston, executive director of OGS.
"We strongly encourage young
people who would like to gain fur
ther confidence and skills as a leader
in their school and community to ap
ply." To be eligible, students must be
entering their sophomore, junior or
senior year in either a traditional high
school or an alternative education
program in Fall 1999. Sixty partici
pants will be chosen to participate.
Applications are due by March 10,
1999, and are available through Or
egon public and private high schools;
Web site (http:www.willamette.org
ogs); or by contacting the OGS of
fice directly at Oregon Governors'
School, co Willamette University,
900 State Street, Salem, OR 97301;
phone (503) 373-3335.
Bingo fundraisers Nov. 17 and Dec. 1
"Welcome to Grand Ronde" signs is a community project that needs yout
support. In addition to the $1,000 already raised, Bingo fundraisers are sched
uled at the Casino on November 17 and December 1 to help raise more money
to furnish these signs. At a recent community meeting a decision was made to
have a tall "Welcome to Grand Ronde" sign with a long planter. For more
information or bingo tickets, call Barbara Lake at 879-2476.
Santa and JLudolpK
ate coming to townl
When: Monday, December 14, 1998
Where: Tribal Community Center
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For: Tribal children ages five and under
Please join us for arts and crafts,
refreshments, safety and prevention
activities, photos with Santa and Rudolph.
Great American Smokeout
November 19, 1998
Now is the time to make your plans to participate in the Great American Smokeout.
Everyone is encouraged to attend smokers, non-smokers, friends, family
whether you are thinking of quitting or know someone who is.
Kick-off Breakfast: 8 a.m. at the new Governance Center
Stay Quit Lunch: Noon at the Health & Wellness Center
Activities including speakers, games, prizes, food and tips to help you quit for good
will be held throughout the day. For more details call 879-2020.