OK. COLL.
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78
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CHASTA
UMPQUA
MOLALLA
KALAPUYA
ROGUE RIVER
1" TT
1999
A Publication of the Grand Ronde Tribe
JUNE 15, 1999
Toils to
by BDdl housiinQi ftwr
By Tracy Dugan
Though it was typical rainy Or
egon weather in the days and weeks
prior, the sun shone brightly on
June 10 for the groundbreaking cer
emony of the Elder housing complex.
"This is a real historic day for the
Tribe and especially for the Elders,"
said Linda Layden, Housing Direc
tor. We are glad that so many El
ders could join us."
Tribal Elders, staff, Council, and
members of thefaousing Authority
all participated in uncovering some
earth to prepare for the upcoming
months of construction.
Tribal Elder Ila Dowd gave an
opening prayer, followed by the
blessing by Travis Benoist, who had
earlier performed a sacred blessing
ceremony at the project site.
"It is important for us to pray for
the Elders, as well as generations to
come," he said. "We learn from our
Elders to live a good life. It is impor
tant to honor them. Even though
we have been through trials and
tribulations, we are all still here."
The Elder housing complex will
hold 38 separate two-bedroom apart
ments, and will be located on Grand
Ronde Road.
Bob Watson, who chairs the Hous
ing Authority Board of Directors, said
that this complex, along with Grand
Meadows, is an important step in de
veloping homelands for the future.
He said, "our people once lived
here. They'll live here again. Tribal
Council gave the Housing Author
ity tremendous support and guid
ance on this endeavor. This is a
, IF
V
IK
7
' - ' '
m n
Members of the Elders Committee participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Elder Housing Com
plex on June 10. Photo by Bob McElderry
memorable day. A start."
Bruce Sternberg, the architect
who designed the complex, also
thanked the Council and Housing
Authority for the chance to partici
pate in this project..
"One of the joys of what I do is be
ing able to take someone's vision or
idea and translate it into something
real," he said.
Before the groundbreaking, Kath
ryn Harrison spoke about what this
new Elder housing project means to
her. She said that she could remem
ber tribal members asking about
moving back to Grand Ronde, even
before the Tribe was restored. .
She said, "We had to tell our own
Elders that there was no place to live
in Grand Ronde. I'm sure they un
derstood. But I believe things hap
pen for a reason. Who would have
thought we'd have a casino? In the
end, we find a way."
Harrison said that the Elders are
the essence of a tribe, the "glue that
holds us together," and we should
honor them by remembering their
valuable lessons: rise up to chal
lenges of the day, and share with
others who may be less prosperous.
'Thank you Elders, for believing
in us, for holding the faith. For com
ing to meetings those years ago
when we were trying to get restored.
Now we are a tribe that can help its
people. Now we can tell our Elders
and our young people, 'There are
jobs here. There's a place to live
here. You can come home now."'
If you are a Grand Ronde Elder
and are interested in learning more
about the apartment complex for El
ders in Grand Ronde, call the Hous
ing Authority at (503) 879-2401.
0D Q&J
Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde
Community of Oregon
9615 Grand Ronde Road
Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347
Address Service Requested
Fox Jamas Special Coll
Knieht Uibrarw. UofO
Eu-Omnm OR 9403
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Received on: 06-18-99
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