Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 1999)
Smoke Signals 2 General Council meetings resume Continued from front page redeem points for cash. The Casino is also gearing up for a Restoration Celebration in November with an expanded Native American menu, n Lodge Spirit Mountain Lodge has been doing extremely well with full occu pancy on the weekends. SMDC is starting to analyze and research how profitable it would be to add more rooms and possibly conference space. B Gaming Issues Anti-Gaming initiative ballot mea sures in Oregon will be a big issue for the Tribe and Casino within this next year. It is important that tribal members educate themselves and vote on these issues in 2000. Spirit Mountain is facing competi tion from gaming establishments in southwest Washington, just a short drive from Portland. D Spirit Mountain Development Corporation (SMDC) The Tribe owns all the economic de velopment projects. The biggest is SMDC, which owns Spirit Mountain Gaming, the retail centers, a residen tial real estate subdivision, a con struction management company, and Grand Ronde Industries (GRI). SMDC oversees the following busi nesses for the Tribe: Russellville Com mons, an apartment complex in Port land; and Spirit Mountain Environ mental Services (SMES), an environ mental remediation services company. GRI update: Hewlett Packard con siders SMDC a premier supplier, and has offered another potential busi ness opportunity a 3rd party ware house and shipping company. HP would like to hire a company to house and ship aprons and gloves they use in their factories. The Albany Lakeview residential real estate subdivision is exceeding its projection to sell 3 lots a month. With a profit of $10,000 a lot, just under 30 lots have been sold. Russellville, the Tribe's project that SMDC oversees, is making the Tribe a great return of over 17. The apartments are selling as fast as they are being built. SMES, a company formed in part nership with an environmental remediation firm, (ranked in the top 15 in the country) to do projects pri marily for the government. HOUSING UPDATE In July, the housing staff was hon ored at the National Indian Hous ing Conference in Seattle for its in novative, proactive approach to providing housing to tribal members and their families. Last year, $771,000 in direct grants and loans were administered by the Housing Authority. Tribal Council has generously funded the down payment program, with 70 grants expected to be given by the end of the year. At this time, the maximum waiting time is 6 months. Grand Meadows Home Park was the first step that Grand Ronde Tribal Housing Authority (GRTHA) took in providing housing opportu nities for tribal members. The second step is the 38-unit in dependent living Elder Housing project. The construction schedule is right on target with completion for August 2000. The units are du plexes, triplexes, and four-plexes, each with 900-square feet and all are handicap accessible. All Elders in terested are encouraged to apply to the waiting list now. For applications or more informa- tion on the housing program, please contact Bryan Langley at 1-800-422-0232 or 879-2467. D Housing Survey The third step will be a 32-unit project for families. All housing de velopment plans are based on the housing surveys. The last survey was taken in 1995. Because the Tribe has grown and many needs have changed expect to see the next housing survey within the next few months. It is very important that members fill out their housing needs. The meeting closed with the door prizes: $50 to June Sell-Sherer; $50 to Butch LaBonte; $50 to Violet Zimbrick; $100 to Kathy Pattersen; and Randy Travis concert tickets to Billey Mann. Constitutional Amendment approved by BIA The Constitutional Amendment to the tribal enrollment criteria was approved by the Northwest Regional Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs on September 14, 1999. The amendment is effective as of this approval date. The Regional Director sent the following memorandum to the BIA office with responsibility for the Tribe: DATE: September 14, 1999 REPLY TO ATTENTION OF: Northwest Regional Director SUBJECT: Grand Ronde Constitutional Amendment TO: Superintendent, Siletz Agency We have received the results of the election held on July 27, 1999, by the qualified voters of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon. The election was called in accordance with an order issued on March 19, 1999, by the Portland Area Director, which permitted the qualified voters of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde to vote on the adoption or rejection of the proposed constitutional amend ment pertaining to Article V, Section 1, Membership. As evidenced by the completed Certification of Results of Election, the amendment which shall be numerically numbered Amendment No. 1 to the Constitution of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Com munity of Oregon, was duly adopted in the election in which at least 2 3 of the 1,440 members registered and entitled to vote cast their ballots. There was one challenge to the election, which was denied by the Elec tion Board Chairman on August 4, 1999. Amendment No. 1 to the Constitution of the Grand Ronde Commu nity of Oregon is hereby approved pursuant to the authority granted to the Portland Area Director by the Deputy Commissioner of the Indian Affairs. FAREWELL WISHES Councilmen recognized by staff Councilmen Leon Chip Tom and Mark Mercier were celebrated for their contributions to the Tribe. v - n Chip Before a room of fifty tribal employ ees, Janell Haller said, "I think some times Council has a tough job. Any time you have to make a decision for more than two people, it is a no win situation." The "thank-you" celebration was complete with a cake for each man, presents and remembrances from friends and family members. Chip's new Pendleton jacket fit perfectly, and with a chuckle he said, "I'll be able to keep warm while I'm sitting around." Mark Mercier was given a Pendleton blanket. As laughter from the crowd qui eted down, Chip continued, "It's been great working with you folks. When I first came here we were across the fields in the mobiles. We've come a long way, not because of Council, but because of you people. We were just implementing your wishes. Sure, we made mis takes, but you have to look in four directions before you do anything and when we sit down to the table and we all don't agree well, that takes some discussing. All and all, I want to thank each and every one of you, I just want to say thank you." At the September General Council meeting, Chip and Mark spoke to the membership, saying they really en joyed their time on Council, and en couraged folks to acknowledge their Council. Standing next to Chip, Mercier who has served on Council for fifteen and a half years, said, "We have the po tential to do a lot more, it just takes a lot of hard work. Let's eat cake!" : With that conclusion to the formal speeches, the crowd laughed and .tit- ' 1 It Mark Mercier clapped and the cake was cut and passed it out to the crowd. Best of luck to Chip and Mark in whatever opportunities the future brings.
