2 JULY 15, 2001
Smoke Signals
MS
Dear Margo and staff,
I would like to take this opportu
nity to personally thank the Tribe
and Margo Mercier for assisting in
my father's burial.
"He was a big man with a gentle
heart."
For the Tribe to come forth and
offer assistance to our family in such
an emotional time, reinforces our
beliefs of how much our Tribe does
really care for its people.
Your kindness and generosity is
greatly appreciated.
All of our Thanks.
Sincerely,
John Pearce Roll 2382
Rocky Pearce Roll 2311
Lisa Crawford (Pearce)
Roll 2329
Thank You
We would like to thank the Tribal
Council, Elders, doctors, medical staff,
family and friends for the flowers and
care during Blanche Lillard's hospi
talization and recovery.
Thank you again,
Blanche & Family
Important
Housing Meeting
Tuesday, July 24 from 2-4 p.m.
Tribal Community Center
TO: CTGR Tribal members interested in liv
ing in new "tawmoderate income" rental hous
ing in Grand Ronde.
PURPOSE: The Grand Ronde Tribal Hous
ing Authority (GRTHA) staff and Ankrom
Moisan Associated Architects will be hosting
a meeting to discuss a rental housing devel
opment planned for "low and moderate in
come" CTGR Tribal families in Grand Ronde.
The project will consist of 18 duplexes (36
housing units) for families and single persons.
One, two, three, four and five bedroom units
are planned, with a primary focus on families
with children. Initial concepts for the site
design and housing units will be discussed.
Tribal members will have an opportunity to
ask questions and comment on the proposed
design. Additional meetings will be held in
the future to review more detailed plans as
the project further develops.
If possible, please notify GRTHA at 503-879-2401
or 1-800-422-0232, ext 2401, if you are
intending to attend so we can plan accordingly.
Housing Opportunities
Available in Grand Ronde
To The Editor:
I just learned that our Dental Clinic
will soon be serving only Indians and
a "phasing out" process has begun
for those non-Indians who have had
appointments scheduled for future
visits. I'm very upset and disap
pointed in this decision.
I was fortunate to be involved early
on in the Tribes' Restoration effort
and feel I can truly say that without
the whole Community supporting us,
it would have been much more diffi
cult to reach our goal. Giving some
thing to a group and then taking it
away again sounds a little familiar
doesn't it?
I urge those who made this deci
sion to reconsider, maybe it's not too
late to fix what in my opinion only is
a very large problem.
Jackie Whisler
Roll 545
Editor's Note
According to Dr. Eric Webster, a
lack of sufficient professional staff
time and a lack of adequate facility
accommodations required to elimi
nate delays of appointments re
quested by Tribal members led to
this decision. In a letter of explana
tion to non-Indian clients, Dr.
Webster said "at the present time
there is more need and demand for
dental services for the eligible Indian
population who seek treatment at
this facility than can be met with the
staffing and facility accommodations
which we have available."
Dr. Webster also said "routine den
tal services for non-Indian Tribal em
ployees, health center employees, ca
sino employees or other community
members andor dependents who are
currently receiving routine dental ser
vices may be continued until the cur
rent treatment plan is completed."
According to Dr. Tom Austin, Ex
ecutive Director of the Health and
Wellness program, non-Indians can
still be served under certain circum
stances like: the provision of services
to non-Indians will not diminish or
delay services to eligible Indians, no
reasonable alternative facility is
available and that the ineligible per
son pays for the full amount of ser
vices. "We're trying to comply with the
federal laws regarding this matter,"
said Dr. Austin. "And, we are cur
rently researching additional fund
ing sources that would enable us to
add staff and return to the level of
services we have enjoyed in the past."
For more information contact the
dental office at 503-879-2020.
Correction
In the last edition of Smoke Signals, we
misidentified the person responsible for the
new artwork at the Tribe's Natural Re
sources Center. The artist's name is Tracy
Walts. Walts said he spent 1,000 hours
completing the wooden 3-D structure out
of Fir, Pine, Cedar, Redwood, Dogwood,
Myrtle, Poplar, Aspen, Oak, Walnut, Cherry
and Madrona. The staff apologizes for this error.
V a
Dear Tribal members:
Well, I've done it! I have just
graduated from the University of
Oregon with two degrees, one in In
ternational Studies and one in Jour
nalism. I would like to thank
everyone in the Higher Education
department for their help and sup
port during the past four grueling
years. I would also like to thank my
family for their inspiration and un
dying encouragement during my
time of study. Thank you too, ev
eryone else who has helped me to
achieve this education goal.
Now comes the arduous task of
finding employment. Although I am
applying to several international com
panies and organizations in devel
opment and mediacommunications,
I am also applying for open positions
with our Tribe. Without the support
of the Tribe through programs,
friendship, and sustained, meaning
ful cooperative spirit I would not
have had such a positive educational
experience; perhaps not an educa
tional experience at all. Hopefully,
by working for the Tribe, I can share
some of the knowledge and skills that
I have acquired at the University of
Oregon to promote the ideals in our
Tribal Constitution.
Again, thank you all for your help
and sponsorship.
Sincerely,
Charles G. Haller II
Roll 1032
Dear Editor,
I wish to thank Kathryn Harrison
for all her hard work and the dedi
cation to our Tribe. She is retiring
as Chairwoman of the Tribal Coun
cil this fall. She has worked exten
sively for the Tribe as Treasurer,
Vice-Chair, and Chairperson for the
Grand Ronde Tribe. She was Chair
person for the Tribe during our res
toration era.
I remember when she first came to
work for the Tribe; she did not re
ceive a salary, only getting mileage
for work related travel. Her work
environment was uncomfortable at
times. The Tribal office was a tiny
building that was located at the cem
etery and initially was without sup
plies and telephone. When she re
turned to work for the Tribe she was
considered by some as an "outsider."
There was tension over this. But
Kathryn not only returned, she
stayed to dedicate a major part of her
life to Restoration and restructuring
of the Grand Ronde Tribe. She also
became Tribal Historian.
As a daughter, I am proud of all
the accomplishments and awards my
mother has received throughout the
years she worked for the Tribe. As a
Tribal member I am thankful for her
part of the hard work, leadership and
charisma that she brought to our
Tribe. Her work and influence con
tinue to manifest today, in the form
of the Tribal self-governance and will
remain solid for generations to come.
Love you, Mom.
Diane Harrison
Roll 908
9615 Grand Ronde Road
Grand Ronde, OR 97347
www.grandronde.org
1-800-422-0232
FAX: 503-879-2173
BRENT MERRILL
PUBLIC INFORMATION COORDINATOR
EDITOR
503-879-2321
brent.merrillgrandronde.org
KIM MUELLER
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
503-879-2264
kim.muellergraridronde.org
JUSTIN PHILLIPS
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
503-879-2190
justln.phillipsgrandronde.org
SMOKE SIGNALS, a publication of the Con
federated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Commu
nity of Oregon, is published twice a month. No
portion of this publication may be reprinted with
out permission.
Our editorial policy is intended to encourage
input from Tribal members and readers about
stories printed in the Tribal newspaper. How
ever, 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 purposes. Full addresses and phone
numbers will not be published unless requested.
SMOKE SIGNALS reserves the right to edit
letters and to refuse letters that are determined
to contain libelous statements or personal at
tacks on individuals, staff, Tribal administration
or Tribal Council. Not all letters are guaranteed
publication upon submission. Letters to the edi
tor are the opinions and views of the writer.
Published letters do not necessarily reflect the
opinions of SMOKE SIGNALS, Tribal staff,
Tribal administration or Tribal Council.
ELECTION EDITORIAL POLICY:
In order to ensure a balanced election
campaign and fairness to all candidates, the
SMOKE SIGNALS 2001 Tribal Council Election
Editorial Policy for letters to the editor will be
as follows:
Subject to existing editorial policies
regarding libel, personal attacks, and
unsubstantiated facts,
1 . Letters in support of candidates will not
be published in regular editions of SMOKE
SIGNALS.
2. Statements from candidates will be
published in a special election edition of
SMOKE SIGNALS, currently scheduled for
July 1, 2001.
3. Letters to the editor from candidates
will not be published during the time period
from nominations to the conclusion of the
Tribal Council Election.
4. Feature articles and spotlights involving
candidates will be suspended during the time
period from nominations to the conclusion of
the Tribal Council Election.
This policy Is intended to ensure an
equal forum for all candidates.
PEAPUNE PATE $$VE PATE
Fri., July 20 ; AUGUST 1
Fit, August 3 AUGUST 15
Mon., August 20 . ... SEPTEMBER 1
Wed., September S ... SEPTEMBER 15
Thurs., September 20 ............ OCTOBER 1
Frl., October S OCTOBER 15
Frl., October 19 NOVEMBER 1
Mon., November 5 NOVEMBER 15
Mon., November 19. .. ...... DECEMBER 1
Wed., December 5 DECEMBER 15
Mon., December 17....... JANUARY 1
Members of: Native American
Journalist Association
Society of News Design
SND iThe Associated Press
I ' till .KUI4I. ! IHM
Printed on recycled paper.