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
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"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