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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (April 15, 2001)
Smoke Signals APRIL 15, 2001 Dear Editor, ' My earliest memories as a child growing up in the 1940's were of the stories told to me by the adults of my immediate and extended family. There were stories about many different things, such as great hunting trips, who had the best shot, and who had killed the biggest buck. Also, stories teasing someone about funny or embarrassing things that they had done in the past. The stories that everyone in the family got the most excited about, and that all us kids love to hear were the stories about the old times and the Indian lands that we would get back someday. This was land that belonged to the Tribe, and most important to a boy my age was that we would be able to hunt and fish on our own land whenever we wanted to. Another part of these stories that we could talk about for hours at a time was when we would get our Indian money. As kids we did not know exactly why we would be getting this money. Although from listening to the adults of the family, we knew that the money would eliminate every problem that we had ever had. It would even take care of all of our wants and wishes for the future. We would spend hours and hours looking through the Sears and Wards catalogs, trying to decide what we would buy with our money that should be coming to us at anytime. When ever one of us kids asked for something that our family could not afford, which was most of the time, when you come from a poor family with nine kids. The answer to the request was always the same, "Wait until you get your Indian money, then you can get whatever you want." Very few of the Elders that used to tell us that lived long enough to get any money or benefits from the Tribe. The very first money that I received from the Tribe carried a lot of baggage with it, all of those wants and wished from my childhood and the wonderful memories of the Elders of my family. I am very proud to be a member of the Grand Ronde Tribe, and I am very pleased with all the different programs and benefits that the Tribal Council and Tribe have put in place for the Tribal members. All Tribal members that can should help the . Tribe to make things better for the children's future and to honor the members of the past. Those who have went over to the other side before us, would have a hard time believing all the wonderful benefits what the Tribe provides for the members. It is my feeling that Tribal members should treat each other like we are family. It is so very important that we get along and show respect for each other. It is also important that we are respectful of our Tribal Council. They have a near impos sible job, yet they try their hardest to please everyone. The children of the Tribe will learn by the example that we present to them. Our future as a Tribe looks good, if we can work together in a positive and effective manner. We should treat our fellow Tribal members as brothers and sisters, and the Elders with the same love and respect you would give your parents and grandparents. The decisions that we make today, and the actions that we take as a result of those decisions will affect the Tribe every day for many years in the future. We can live our lives as people who just react to what happens to them, or we can make a difference and live our lives with a sense of purpose, worth and integrity. Monty Parazoo Roll 2620 ' Dear Editor, I'm not really certain who I should address this letter to, but it is neces sary that I give thanks to all who were involved in procuring health insurance for Elder spouses. Last August 5, my husband woke up and could not walk. After many tests and considerable pain, it was found that my husband needed a hip replacement surgery. This was not to be completed until October 31, as they needed time for my husband to give his own blood for the surgery. Everything appeared to be going well, until his hip popped out of place. This required being sent to Emergency in an ambulance, as he was unable to move. After four trips to the hospital, the doctor decided this hip wasn't in place, so it was back to the hospital January 16 for a sec ond surgery. Praise God this time, the hip stayed in and he is healing. He will be able to re turn to his part-time job soon. Wayne and I just can't find words enough to thank the Tribe for all they do for the Tribal members. We would never have made it through all of this without the medical insurance provided by the Tribe. Those of you who worked so hard to provide this benefit, Wayne and I are eternally grateful, this experience is probably well over $70,000, something we would be totally devastated by. Al though we don't know you all by name, we give thanks and we pray God's bless ing on you. 1 ' Sincerely, Anna Hopson Roll 722 Dear Editor, This is a long overdue expression of thanks for sending me Smoke Signals since working in a variety of assign ments for the U.S. Census Bureau in your community. While not Native American, in my youth in the LafayetteDayton area many years ago I learned of your many struggles having become acquainted with several Grand Ronde folks such as the Riggs and LaBontes. From these experiences I especially look forward to receiving Smoke Signals watching the many positive changes for your people. Thank you again for including me on your mailing list. Sincerely, Wendell Hoist McMinnville SMOKE SIGNALS, a publication of the Con federated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon, is published twice a month. No portion of this publication may be reprinted without permis sion. Our editorial policy is intended to encourage input from Tribal members and readers about sto ries printed in the Tribal newspaper. However, all letters received must be signed by the author, an address must be given and a phone number or email address must be included for verification pur poses. Full addresses and phone numbers will not be published unless requested. SMOKE SIGNALS reserves the right to edit let ters and to refuse letters that are determined to contain libelous statements or personal attacks on individuals, staff, Tribal administration or Tribal Coun cil. Not all letters are guaranteed publication upon submission. Letters to the editor are the opinions and views of the writer. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SMOKE SIG NALS, Tribal staff, Tribal administration or Tribal Council. ' fJ3H'; 19EG92QS Wednesday, March 14, 2001 4:00 p.m. Meeting was called to order by Kathryn Harrison. A quorum was present. Reyn Leno moved, June Sell-Sherer seconded to approve the February 28, 2001 Tribal Council meeting minutes with the addition of the following language added under agenda item 4 (a) "Appointing SMDC Board Member:'' "Butch LaBonte explained that his reason for voting 'no' is from his concern that Pete Wakeland would then be serving on the SMDC Board in addition to serving as a member of the Tribe's Fire Crew. " Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS O Member Benefit Ordinance Amendments. Ed Pearsall moved, Reyn Leno seconded to adopt Resolution No. 040-01 amending the Member Benefit Ordi nance to make technical changes and to include provisions on eligibility for full and partial Member Benefit Payments, provisions for set-off of Tribal member debts to the Tribe, provisions allowing minimum balance payout for balances below $100, and provisions for distribution of Member Benefit Savings Fund accounts upon relinquishment of Tribal membership. Motion carried 8-0-0. P ANA Language Grant Application. Cheryle Kennedy moved, Ed Larsen seconded to adopt ResolutionNo. 041-01 to approve an application to the Admin istration for Native Americans for up to $200,000 for an Native American language grant (due 316) including $96,389 in matching funds (from in-kind staff time, forgoing 14 of our normal Indirect and from Tribal revenues) to develop and imple ment a language immersion program for preschool students. Motion carried 8-0-0. RESOURCES SUBCOMMITTEE D EPA Superfund Cooperative Agreement Application. June Sell-Sherer moved, Bob Haller seconded to adopt ResolutionNo. 042-01 authorizing submis sion of a Cooperative Agreement application to the EPA to support Tribal participa tion in the Taylor Lumber, Portland Harbor and McConnick and Baxter cleanup sites. Grant funds will be used to support the Tribe's participation in the investiga tion and planning associated with the cleanup of these sites. Motion carried 8-0-0. TRIBAL GOVERNMENT, MANAGEMENT & BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE D Dan Kauffman Excavating Inc. Contract Extension Funding for Con struction of Rodeo Grounds. Bob Haller moved, Ed Pearsall seconded to adopt Resolution No. 043-01: 1) approving an agreement between the Tribe and Dan Kauffman Excavating Inc., in an amount not to exceed $72,000 for the Tribe's rodeo grounds, 2) ap proving a contingency budget for project expansion in the amount of $15,000, 3) directing that said funding of $87,000 be allocated from the Capital Projects Budget, and 4) authorizing the Executive Officer, with the assistance of the Tribal Attor ney, to negotiate, finalize and sign said agreement. Motion carried 8-0-0. H Road Maintenance Funding. Jan D. Reibach moved, June Sell-Sherer sec onded to adopt Resolution No. 044-01 which supports "Affiliated Tribes of North west Indians" Resolution No. 00-26 requesting the BIA Northwest Region to adopt an "Interim Maintenance Distribution Formula for the Indian Reservation Roads Program." Motion carried 8-0-0. D CkyoteThin Logging Unit Ed Pearsall moved, Reyn Leno seconded to adopt Resolution No. 045-01 which provides that the Coyote Thin Logging Unit be offered for sale at a minimum advertised rate of $219.00 per MBF for Douglas-fir and Other Conifers - Peeler and Sawmill Grade Logs, a predetermined rate of $343.59 per MBF for Red Alder and Other Hardwoods, and a predetermined rate of $68.19 per MBF for Conifer Woodlogs and Other Wood Products. Resolution also rescinds Resolution No. 011-01. Motion carried 8-0-0. D KatsukTmnliOggingUnit June Sell-Sherer moved, Ed Larsen seconded to adopt Resolution No. 046-01 which provides that the Katsuk Thin Logging Unit be offered for sale at a minimum advertised rate of $256.00 per MBF for Douglas-fir and Other Conifers - Peeler and Sawmill Grade Logs, a predetermined value of $4,176.90 for Red Alder and Other Hardwoods, and a predetermined rate of $77.40 per MBF for Conifer Woodlogs and Other Wood Products. The Resolution also rescinds Resolution No. 012-01. Motion carried 8-0-0. D Enrollment: Infant Detenninatkm, Bob Haller moved, Ed Larsen seconded to adopt ResolutionNo. 04741 which approves three (3) applicants to be added to the official membership roll, numbers 5126 - 5128. Motion carried 8-0-0. an mass, mo a "IN (Mbdi (Jip ft.lillimiitfft (ggnSi TRIBAL COUMOL : WOMI1MATIONS Anyone interested in making a nomination must . Be 18 years old . An enrolled member of the Tribe .Must makp the . MWMm,auu ii i Lierbgn aiuie meeting. Tribal members accepting a nomination for Tribal Council must be present
