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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 15, 1998)
OR. COLL. E 78 J .06 I S66 I i J f J t j Deceiber ! 15, i99aa 4 Publication of the Grand Ronde Tribe Umpqua Molalla Rogue River Kalapuya Ciasfa estoratioin Day: every yeair, a little more progress By Chris Mercier Contributing Writer On November 22, roughly 200 tribal members and their families gathered at Grand Ronde Elementary to observe the anniversary of the Grand Ronde Tribe's Restoration. The celebration opened with a drumming procession of our veter ans, Royalty, and a score of traditionally-dressed members. Ila Dowd, who one day earlier cel ebrated her 90th birthday, spoke a blessing in Chinook jargon. Becky Gilliam sang a prayer, and Tribal Chair Kathryn Harrison gave a brief speech of welcome. Following the Color Guard and Royalty introduc tions, dinner was served. While the crowd settled in for its meal of salmon and pumpkin pie, Mark Mercier spoke on Restoration. To commemorate the occasion, past Council members were honored and given gifts as a sign of tribal grati tude. Special awards were given for unique services. Roger Harrison, who designed the tribal logo, was given a Pendleton Blanket. Wanda McCoy, who has not missed a tribal function in many years, was given a bouquet of roses. Past Tribal Council who received honors were: Marvin Kimsey, Mar garet Provost, Merle Holmes, Bill Soderberg, Margo Mercier, Patti Tom-Martin, Darrel Mercier, Sharon Herron, Cheryl Carl, Merle Leno, Bob Leno, Dean Mercier, Jackie Whisler, Vikki Lawrence, Wilmadene Butler, Dorothy Greene, Cheryle Kennedy, Candy Robertson, Tom Through the years... 1954: The Grand Ronde Tribe, along with two-thirds of the Indian tribes in the United States are dissolved under the Termination Act. 1975: The first meeting is held by a handful of tribal members to discuss the possibility of restoring the Grand Ronde Tribe to federal . recognition status. November 22, 1983: President Reagan signs the Grand Ronde Restoration Act. 1984: The first official Tribal Council is sworn into office. The Tribe establishes program services for members. November, 1985: The Grand Ronde Reservation Plan is adopted. The Tribe receives 9,811 acres of original homeland for its reservation. 1989: Nanitch Sahallie, a youth residential treatment center, opens in Keizer, Oregon. Nanitch" SafiaJI Grand Ronde TriBei" 1989: The Tribe purchases 5.5 acres along Highway 18 (now the site of the Casino) for the purpose of housing Natural Resources offices. March, 1992: The Tribal Community Center is completed and be comes a gathering place for meetings and social functions. 1993: The Tribe purchases 240 acres of additional land on Highway 18 to pursue economic development opportunities. 1994: Membership votes to pursue gaming at a General Council meeting. October, 1995: Spirit Mountain Casino opens. October, 1997: The Health and Wellness Center opens in Grand Ronde. December, 1997: Grand Meadows, the Tribe's housing development project, is completed. Tribal families begin to move into their new residences. October, 1998: The Governance Center is completed. December, 1998: Spirit Mountain Lodge opens to the general public. Leno, Henry Petite, Nancy Cole-man, Russ Leno, Rick McKnight, Andy Jenness, Beverly Cooney, Priscilla Hofenbredl, Jackie Provost, Les Houck, Brad Kowing, and Eugene LaBonte. continued on page 3 TRIBAL CHRISTMAS PARTY J' .i.'4mw" fAMM' fMMsr, :". Tribe invests in Portland housing By Adam Henny SMC Public Relations On what was once the Russellville school site now rises Portland's new est neighborhood: Russellville Com mons, a $44 million transit-friendly housing, retail and office project. In its first business foray into the Port land area, the Grand Ronde Tribe an nounced that it has joined with de veloper Wayne Rembold and inves tor Franklin Pacentini to build the 480 dwelling unit project in the Gateway district on the MAX light rail line. The 11.5 acre development is lo cated near the SE 102nd Avenue and Burnside MAX station on the site of continued on page 2 Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde f-.'&rtU Community of Oregon 9615 Grand Ronde Road Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347 Address Service Requested PRESORTED FIRST-CLASS MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID SALEM, OR PERMIT NO. 178 University of Oregon Library Received on: 12-15-98 Serials Dept. - Knight Library Saoke signals 1299 University Of Oregon Eugene OR 97403-1205 Tart Three: In this issue of Smoke Signals, we feature nart three of our five-part series of Grand Hide's five tribes. On pages 6-7, you ill find the story of the Umpqua. I right! LaRota NeplMank-Qtieiiell It4i.lt32). J i
