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Smoke Signals
Tribal Chair attends White House Christmas party
only got to speak with the
President for a few minutes, so
I gave him the card and told
him it was signed by our Elders.
I told him we supported him.9
Kathryn Harrison
By Tracy Dugan
Editor
Tribal Council Chair Kathryn Har
rison and Legislative Affairs Special
ist, Justin Martin traveled to Wash
ington to attend a Holiday party at
the White House in December.
Harrison received a special invi
tation inviting her and a guest to the
party early that month, but didn't
consider attending until the tribal El
ders prompted her to go on the Tribe's
behalf.
"It was really close to Christmas,
and the weather wasn't that great,"
said Harrison. "I really didn't plan
to go."
But the Elders at the Mealsite en
couraged her during lunch one day,
so she reconsidered.
"We couldn't let Kathryn pass up
this opportunity," said Violet Zim
brick. "It took a lot of convincing,
but we finally got her to go, on be
half of the Tribe and the Elders."
Tribal Elder Dorothy La we also did
some encouraging, arid said that
when they saw the invitation, that
was addressed to Harrison person-
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President Clinton accepts a Christmas card from Kathryn Harrison on behalf of the Elders.
ally, they knew it was a big deal.
Harrison invited Justin Martin,
who is a tribal member and .the
Tribe's Legislative Affairs Specialist,
to go with her. All the Elders at the
Mealsite got a Christmas card and'
signed it, for Harrison to give to
President Clinton.
"Looking back now, I am glad I
went," said Harrison. "I only got to"
speak with the President for a few
minutes, so I gave him the card and
told him it was signed by our Elders.
I told him we supported him."
Harrison said that President
Clinton was visibly' moved by the
gesture, and a few weeks later she
received a thank-you note from him.
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Tribe thanks retiring Willamina Mayor
Last month, the Tribal Council hosted a party for Twila Hill, the re
tiring Mayor of Willamina. Mayor Hill has been supportive of the
Tribe and its economic endeavors over the years, and has many
good friends in Grand Ronde. Tribal Council presented her with a
Pendleton blanket, and wishes her the best in whatever she chooses
to pursue next. Thank you Mayor Hill! Photo by Lauri smith
Lodge Celebration
Continued from front page
Tribe's desire to give back to the
Grand Ronde community and the
sate of Oregon, as well as work to
help better the lives of tribal mem
bers. "Our way is to work hard and share
what we have. That's what we have
been taught."
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4
Grand Ronde Royalty also at
tended the celebration. Ali Holsclaw
(Jr. Miss Grand Ronde) and Halona
Butler (Miss Tiny Tot) helped meet
and greet guests.
Part of the celebration included
special events inside the Casino, like
the Cash Cube. The Cash Cube is a
large glass box that uses forced air
to blow money around.
Casino guests were picked
at random to enter the
cube and try to pick up as
many bills as possible in 30
seconds.
Little Zoey Holsclaw
poses with her sister
Ali (top left) and Halona
Butler at the Spirit
Mountain Lodge Grand
Opening Celebration.
The children especially
enjoyed the traditional
music of the flute player
who was invited to
perform.
Photo by Dale Petersen