Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 15, 1998)
4 News and Opinion Smoke Signals Maxine N. Porter Tribal member Maxine N. Porter, 77, passed away on Saturday, Decem ber 5 at Grays Harbor Community Hospital in Aberdeen, Washington. Maxine was bora on July 12, 1921 in Portland. She attended grade school at St. Andrews Catholic School in Pendleton, Oregon and attended high school at Chemawa Indian School in Salem. After her schooling, she was em ployed as a domestic. In 1955 she started working at a tuberculosis hos pital in The Dalles, Oregon. In 1960 she moved to Aberdeen, where she worked at St. Joseph Hospital, Grays Harbor Community Hospital, and the Grays Harbor area nursing homes as a nurse's aid. Maxine then attended Grays Har bor Community College in Aberdeen, taking additional medical courses. Maxine was then employed by the Quinalt Indian Tribe as a Community Health Representative for five years. In 1984, she began work in the Al cohol Care Unit at St. Joseph's Hos pital in Aberdeen. Maxine retired in 1987. She loved crafts, beading, making Indian dolls, painting, and sewing. Maxine married Albert E. Porter, Jr. on September 22, 1973, in Montesano, Washington. Maxine is survived by her five chil dren: sons Steve Ibabao of Cosmopolis, WA; and Conrad Ibabao of Portland, OR. Daughters Yvonne Naumu of Mililani City, HI; Cheryl Peterson of Aberdeen, WA; and Arlita Spears of Honolulu. She is also survived by her sister, Patricia James of Toppenish, nineteen grandchil dren, and fourteen great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at Coleman Chapel in Hoquiam, Washington. Dear Editor: On Nov. 8, I attended the General Council meeting which was held on the Proposed Budget. The per capita plan sounded like a good and posi tive idea. After the meeting a few members commented on how they felt per capita was not a good thing. I disagree. Per capita is not like a donation or a handout. It is earned from our in vestment in the Casino, and as long as our Elders are taken care of, and our programs are funded, we deserve it. Our casino was built on a gamble and it has been a success. I have been working in it since it opened, as a blackjack dealer. The place is always busy, sometimes more than others. Twenty-five percent of revenue is not a lot or too much money. There are a lot of tribal members who don't live here and don't have access to our services. Per capita can help them out with rent, bills, or what ever they need. There are also plenty of single par ents out there who could really use the help. Per capita would give them a chance to get on their feet. If any thing, I feel per capita would help our tribal budget, because people could take care of their families without re ceiving help from tribal programs. I have faith in our Tribal Council. I remember around four years ago when some of our current members were in Washington, D.C. trying to make our casino possible. Well it worked out well. Good job!! I really hope the right decision is made this year. There are still many having hard times and could desper ately use a little extra help. Happy Holidays to all, Rex Haller . Roll 905 S MOKE SIGIIALC? 9615 Grand Ronde Road Grand Ronde, Or 97347 EDITOR: TRACY DUGAN 879-2254 REPORTER: OSCAR JOHNSON 879-2321 GRAPHICS fit NEWS COORDINATOR: KIM MUELLER 8 79-2264 1-800-422-0232 FAX: (503) 8 79-2263 E-MAIL ADDRESSES: : tracydmall.grandronde.com kimmmall.grandronde.com oscarjohnsonournallst.com Members of the Native American Journalist Association, the Associated Press, and Society of News Design. J Printed on recycled paper. SMOKE SIGNALS, a publication of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon, Is published twice a month. We have established an Edito rial Policy to encourage Input from read ers about stories printed In SMOKE SIG NALS, and other tribal Issues. However, all letters must be received at the newspa per office with author's signature, address, and phone number In order to be consid ered for publication. SMOKE SIGNALS reserves the right to edit any letter for clar ity and length, and to refuse publication of any letter or any part of a letter that may contain libelous statements or personal attacks. Not all letters are guaranteed pub lication upon submission. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SMOKE SIGNALS, tribal employees, or Tribal Council. Dear tribal members: It has been my privilege and honor to be contracted by our tribal Voca tional Rehabilitation program as VEEP project coordinator. The latest group of clients started small, but ready to take a new course in their individual lives. Within a few weeks of getting to know each other a strong support system developed be tween clients. It was then that we dis covered what their employment bar riers were: low self-esteem, anger, and ignorance of their Indian heri tage. Under the supervision of Patti Tom-Martin and Jon George's cru cial input, we have contracted pro fessionals to deliver services to these tribal members. The results have been amazing. These tribal members have many skills that are currently being used as career strengths. They have success fully completed the career exercises outlined for them. The Portland VEEP participants are in the third phase of three six-week phases needed to graduate from the program, and have received Certificates of Completion from the first two phases. They are in the final stage of die cul ture class and the anger issues class. The group in Grand Ronde just fin ished the first phase. My hope is that there will be a way (in the upcoming budget) to continue this program. Eighteen weeks is not enough to correct a life of pain, abuse, and disabilities. VEEP par ticipants are so proud of their accom plishments, and most will be on solid ground by the end of this program. It would be devastating if other tribal members will not have an opportu nity to take advantage of a program that works. Personally, I would like to see the program open to all tribal members with serious employment barriers. We now have a proven program. Let's keep it alive. Some of our cli ents are manic-depressive, in recov ery from substance abuse, clinically depressed, arthritic, fetal alcohol af fected, or otherwise forgotten. They have found family in VEEP and last ing friendships. They are continu ing to gain self-esteem and pride in their Tribe. VEEP WORKS! Thank you. Trade Meyer Roll 2776 (RM01CE SIGNALS UPCOMING DEADLINES: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18 TUESDAY, JANUARY 5 Letter to the Editor, I am currently receiving SSI and the Supplemental Disability Income from the Tribe. Beginning August 1998, the supplemental payments have become income for SSI and I am now cur rently $1,200 in debt to SSI for ac cepting the supplemental payments. I had a chance to talk with the tribal lawyer about this situation and it is my understanding that ,the Tribe is currently working to try and correct this problem with the Social Security Administration. I understand there are other tribal members in this situation and would strongly urge them to check into this information in order to prevent them selves from falling into debt. I would like to find out if SSI will be reimbursed to correct this prob lem throughout the Tribe, relieving myself and others from debt to SSI. I would also like to support that the Tribal Council put the supplemental money into a different type of pro gram that helps the disabled instead of putting them into debt. Sincerely, Les McKnight Roll 510 Dear Editor: This letter is written to share my support of a program that is currently underway within the Grand Ronde Health and Wellness Center. This program is called the Vocational Em ployment Experience Program (VEEP) and is sponsored by the tribal Vocational Rehabilitation program. This program has been a breath of fresh air to the fortunate tribal mem bers who have been able to partici pate. My concern, however, is that if this program isn't allowed to con tinue, tribal members will be greatly short-changed. Tracie Meyer and Jon George of the Vocational Reha bilitation program have been very in strumental is assuring the success of the program and its participants. Low self-esteem has long been iden tified as a barrier to employment and self-sufficiency and this program of fers this plus so much more. I urge Tribal Council to take a close look at this program and the possibilities it offers to so many. At any time, when there is something that has the poten tial to help even one person get on the road to self-sufficiency, we must support it. Anyone with questions regarding this program, I urge you to call the program directors I have mentioned above and ask, ask, ask... thank you. Pam Warren Roll 1081 j
