Smoke Signals
2 OCTOBER 15, 2001
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Dear Editor,
The "Spirit Mountain Rodeo"
board wishes to thank all of the
sponsors for the 2001 rodeos, espe
cially the major sponsors. The
sponsors were the Confederated
Tribes of Grand Ronde and the
Tribal Council, Spirit Mountain
Casino, Boyd's Coffee and Pepsi.
We want to express our apprecia
tion to our regular sponsors for
their support; Raz, Stuck Electric,
Carquest, Bonanza Antique Mall,
Fast Cash, Fort Hill Restaurant
and Double HH.
The buckle sponsorships added a
personal touch, we wish to thank
them as well; Rice Furniture, Chip
and Bonnie Tom, Bill and Kathy
Soderberg, Bud and Anna White,
TLC, Merle Holmes and sons, Wood
Family Farms, Joey Holmes and
Harold and Linda Lyons.
The Elmer Tom Memorial Cham
pionship Saddle was sponsored by
the friends and family of Elmer; we
want to thank them for their dona
tions which helped the Rodeo Board
in purchasing the saddle. Thanks
to Russ Leno, JLG Builders and
Ron Leno. Due to the enthusiasm
and dedication of our Board mem
bers and volunteers we have en
joyed another successful year.
We are planning three events in
the coming year and with your con
tinued support we are looking for
ward to a successful season. The
board is always looking for addi
tional sponsors, if you may be in
terested please contact Michaelle
Kimsey at 503-550-4897.
Once again, thank you!
Marv Kimsey
and the Rodeo Board
Dear Tribal members,
Another Tribal election has come
and gone. I would like to thank all
of you that participated in the elec
tion process. I would like to thank
the Election Board for the work
they performed to ensure that an
other fair election has been con
ducted. I would especially like to express
my gratitude to everyone that
voted for me this year. I sincerely
appreciate your support.
Let's support our Tribal Council.
Together there is nothing we can't
accomplish. We have a responsi
bility to all work together in a posi
tive manner for the good of all.
Respectfully,
Tim E. Holmes
Roll 912
Editor's note:
Recently an article appeared in the
Sheridan Sun that was authored by
Charlene Brown. In a fictional ac
count of history, Brown claimed that
General Phil Sheridan lined up the
Native people who had been forced
onto an area of land known as the
Grand Ronde Reservation and told
them to stop fighting amongst them
selves because in a hundred years
or so they would have a casino with
restaurants and live entertainment.
There is a good chance Brown was
trying to be funny, but many in this
community did not see her humor.
During a subsequent telephone con
versation with Sun Editor George
Robertson, he apologized for the ar
ticle and offered a letter to back up
his statement. Here is that letter.
Dear Brent,
I want to formally apologize to
you and the Confederated Tribes
of Grand Ronde for any offense
that was taken from a column writ
ten by Charlene Brown and pub
lished in The Sun.
Believe me, there was no inten
tion to offend anyone or the Tribe.
The column was an attempt at
poking fun at some of the West
Valley's history. Apparently, how
ever, the column proved to be of
fensive. I would also- like to assure you
and the Tribes that The Sun will
continue to support the Tribes vari
ous activities and programs. -I per
sonally am aware of many positive
activities the Tribes support in our
local communities and I appreciate
it very much.
I hope this sets the record
straight. Thanks for giving me the
opportunity to do so.
Sincerely,
George Robertson
Editor-Publisher of The Sun
Dear Tribal members,
I want to thank everyone who
supported me in the past Tribal
Council Election.
I want to also congratulate Bob
Haller, Ed Larsen and Val Grout.
I hope that all council members
keep focused on the BIG PICTURE
of the Tribe.
Thank you all once again for your
support.
Sincerely,
Fred McGee
Roll 1172
E-mail: mcgeef87hotmail.com
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SMOKE SIGNALS is available to anyone at no cost.
Fill out this form with your name and address, mail to:
Smoke Signals, Attn: Justin Phillips
9615 Grand Ronde Road - Grand Ronde, OR 97347
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UPDATE ON ENROLLMENT CASES
As some of you are aware, the Tribal Court has been very busy over
the course of the last 16 months with a high volume of cases where an
applicant has been denied enrollment and has filed a Petition for Re
view of their Enrollment Determination. The following is a summary
of the status of those cases.
To date, 62 enrollment cases have been filed in the Tribal Court.
Eleven of those cases were dismissed for technical defects in filing the
cases, such as filing too late or filing before all other procedures were
followed. In July of this year, Judge English issued an opinion for 41
cases. Ten cases are still pending.
Of the 41 cases decided in July, Judge English remanded 24 of those
cases back to the Enrollment Committee. Judge English found that
those 24 enrollment applicants had applied for enrollment prior to the
effective date of the 1999 Constitutional Amendment (September 1999)
and therefore the new Constitutional Amendment should not apply to
their applications for Enrollment. The Tribe has appealed all of these
decisions to the Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals is made up of
three judges who will now review the cases again.
Of the 41 cases decided in July, Judge English affirmed 17 of those
cases. Judge English found that those applicants filed after the effec
tive date of the 1999 Constitutional Amendment. Judge English did
not find any violations of Constitutional Rights in these cases. Seven
of these enrollment applicants have appealed Judge English's deter
mination to the Court of Appeals, who will now review the cases again.
If you would like to read any of these opinions, they are available on
the Tribe's website under Tribal Court Published Opinions, or you may
contact the Tribal Court.
The Confederated Tribes of the
Grand Ronde Community of Oregon
1 TRIBAL COUNCIL CZ
NAME -., TITLE TERM EXPIRES
Cheryle A. Kennedy .. Chairperson..... September 2003
Reynold L. Leno .. Vice-Chair............. September 2002
June Sell-Sherer... Secretary September 2002
Val Grout ........ Council September 2004
Robert "Bob" Haller Council September 2004
Earl F. "Butch" LaBonte........... Council September 2002
Ed Larsen Council September 2004
EdPearsall Council September 2003
Jan D. Reibach ....Council.... September 2003
Terms for Council: 3 years
Tribal Council Meetings: Council meets twice a month, generally on
Wednesday.
General Council Meetings: Generally held 1st Sunday of January,
February, March, April, May, September, October, November and De
cember. Constitution: Approved November 30, 1984 IRA
Amended September 14, 1999
Tribal Enrollment: 4,679 as September 12, 2001 (active members only).
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
9615 Grand Ronde Road Grand Ronde, OR 97347
1-800-422-0232 Fax: 503-879-2173 www.grandronde.org
BRENT MERRILL
PUBLIC INFORMATION
COORDINATOR
EDITOR
503-879-2321
brent.merrlllgrandronde.org
KIM MUELLER
PRODUCTION
COORDINATOR
503-879-2264
kIm.muellergrandronde.org
EDITORIAL POLICY
SMOKE SIGNALS, a publication of the
Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde
Community of Oregon, Is published twice a month.
We have an Editorial Policy to encourage input
from readers about stories printed In SMOKE
SIGNALS and other Tribal issues. However, all
letters must be received at the newspaper office
with author's signature, address, and phone
number In order to be considered for publication.
SMOKE SIGNALS reserves the right to edit
any letter for clarity and length, and to refuse
publication of any letter or any part of a letter that
may contain libelous statements or personal
attacks. Not all letters are guaranteed publication
upon submission. Published letters do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of SMOKE
munau, inoai employees, or Tribal Council.
JUSTIN PHILLIPS
PRODUCTION
ASSISTANT
503-879-2190
justln.phllllpsgrandronde.org
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Mon., November 5 NOVEMBER 15
Mon., November 19 DECEMBER 1
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Mon., December 17 JANUARY 1
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