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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 1999)
JULY 1, 1999 7 Earl Floyd (Butch) LaBonte Hello: My name is "Butch" LaBonte and I would like to expand on some of the ideas. I would like to see some things done to help our people which includes continued support of the member benefit distribution. Not all of us are in a position to do much more than get by. These are some of the specific ideas I have. I believe it's time that we make the "talked about" Tribal Food Bank a reality. This is something that will show we are a single people and what happens to one, happens to all. I also think we need to teach our members about economic development of our tribal lands and make available land for garden plots for tribal members functioning similar to a Tribal Member Farmers' Co-op. This would allow people who rent housing to still grow their own food. The setting up of a place for a Farmer's Market would also help our people. We have current programs in effect for tribal mem bers to purchase housing. But, in spite of these, I believe that we still have a great need for additional housing for our people. We, "The Tribe" could pur chase and renovate an area such as "Bunnsville," for example and lease the lots for a fixed period of time with an option to buy, providing guidelines are met through the trial period. Certain criteria would have to be established, such as responsibility of the tribal family occupying the dwelling. If the trial period guidelines are met, this property could then be pur chased with lease payments serving as the down pay ment on purchase price. This would make available housing for many tribal members who do not have the resources on their own for a down payment or cannot meet banking institution requirements for the loans. If this "pilot" program meets with success, it could be expanded to serve other areas. I have spent many years working for the Natural Resources Department of the Tribe and there are some things I think we should do to maintain our ties with the earth. First, I think we should become involved with enhancing the fisheries and restoring our salmon, not just on our tribal land, but within the treaty area where we fish and hunt. I would also focus on the acquisition of more. We could do this through purchase from BLM and private property owners. Our reservation needs to be re-explained back to us for our future well-being and the future of our children's children. I would appreciate your support in the upcoming Tribal Council election on the 11th of September. I am looking forward to working for our "People" and if elected, I will work to make our Tribe self-sufficient and improve and expand our natural resources so that we and our future generations can have a land we can enjoy and be proud of. Thank you, Earl Floyd "Butch" LaBonte Orrin (Bud) White My name is Orrin "Bud" White. I'm 61 years old. I was raised in Grand Ronde by my grandparents, Sam and Clara Riggs. My wife Anna and I live in Grand Meadows in Grand Ronde. Between us we have five grown chil dren. Leaving high school a year early I served four years in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged. After the service, I had several jobs ' t "V V.' , i until 1974 when I was hired by the City of Willamina Police De partment. May 1978, I joined the Yamhill County Sheriff s Office where I worked until my retirement in De cember, 1998. I am currently working part-time as court house security in Mc Minnville, which is un der the supervision of the Yamhill County Sheriffs office. I chose to be nominated for Tribal Council at this time because I'm at a stage in my life where I can devote the time that is required of this complex posi tion and understand there are many decisions that need to be made, which must comply with Federal, State, and County regulations. Some of these deci sions may not be pleasing to all. Being a conservative person with a Christian atti tude I have many concerns, I certainly don't profess to know it all nor would I make promises I could not keep. I was raised to become a productive working mem ber of our society, to be honest, responsible and accountable. I continue to live by these standards. I feel my law enforcement career of 25 years has groomed me with the ability to relate reasonably, rationally and reach common sense conclusions, will ing to listen and hear what our people have to say. Just a few thoughts: I've read and heard stories that many feel, to some degree, that there is a divi sion between those of us that live locally and those that live far away. If this is true, it should not exist. I would be interested to see why these feelings are there. I will continue to support programs for the Elders and would entertain the thought of perhaps two tier programs. Those who are 55 years to 65 years may not have the needs of those 65 years and older, possi bly increasing the pension for those in their more senior years. I have shared thoughts with several Council mem bers at times about creating our own security depart ment for our campus buildings and perhaps even ex panding that into our own police department. I feel these goals can be reached. In closing, I seek your support during the election and give the glory to God. Thank you! Eugene LaBonte My name is Eugene LaBonte, I was born and raised in Grand Ronde. My parents were the late Alexander Gus LaBonte and Edna K. LaBonte. I previously served on the Tribal Council from 1994-1997, from which I was privileged to be involved with the beginning of our ca sino', Spirit Mountain. With the money gen erated from the casino we were able to finance the following programs: Health Insurance: This program is set up so that all tribal members living outside the service area can have health insurance no matter where you live. Retirement for Elders: With this fund in place Elders have been able to enjoy retirement, a reality few of us dreamed possible. I was instrumental in the decision to refund the additional money to the Elders that Social Security took out for Medicare supplemen tal insurance. If re-elected I will push to add addi tional funds to this program and hope to increase the amount that we are currently receiving. This fund will benefit all as well, as we reach 55 years of age. Education: The increased funds added to this pro gram have made it possible for all tribal members to further their education if desired. Stressing the im portance of education for our youth is important to prepare them to be the leaders of our future growth. Dividend Fund: I was involved in the first distribu tion of money to our General Council of $1,000. I believe in giving back to the Tribe by being involved in the community and tribal committees. I am currently the chairman of the Timber Committee and have served for 10 years. I will continue to support the importance of preserving our heritage and culture to pass on to future tribal members. In closing I ask for your support and would appreci ate your vote in September. Gene LaBonte for Tribal Council. Sincerely, Eugene LaBonte Dean Mercier My name is Dean Mercier, Roll 541. I've lived in Grand Ronde all my life. I live on the same prop erty I was born on and currently take care of my 90-year-old father, Harold. I am very fa miliar with the com munity of Grand Ronde and the people, both Indian and non Indian. I remember the year 1954 when our tribe was terminated through a law passed by Con gress. A number of our tribal membership moved to major urban centers throughout the western U.S. since it was the policy of the U.S. government to "assimilate" the Indian into the non-Indian society. A few tribal member families, including mine, chose to stay. The important thing to me is that this was and continues to be where my roots are. In the mid 70's, a core group of tribal members from this commu nity got together to discuss what it would take to reverse the 1954 Termination Act. Those who had remained in Grand Ronde voiced concern about many of their relatives who had moved away but wished to return. Shortly thereafter, tribal members chartered our first "Tribal Council" (a 501 (c) 3 non-profit corpo ration under the state of Oregon Commerce Depart ment). This enabled the Tribe to secure grants from the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) and private foundations. From 1980 to 1983, I served as Tribal Chairman when President Reagan signed Public Law 98-165, the "Grand Ronde Restoration Act." Since then, I have seen a lot of our accomplish ments like our timber land, casino, hotel, etc. I know the casino generates a lot of money and I am very proud of our success. I do, however, have some concerns. I realize a great number of our members live throughout the U.S. I would like to see the Tribe secure more land here to provide the opportu nity for those who want to, return to Grand Ronde. This won't be easy. Many critical issues need to be addressed such as water, sewer, roads, and other utili ties necessary for community and economic develop ment. A comprehensive plan is absolutely necessary to address these needs. I also realize there are many tribal members who do not wish to return to Grand continued on next page ""V TV
