2 DECEMBER 15, 2001
Smoke Signals
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Wnter Weather Hits Grand Ronde Hard with High Winds and Sideways Rain Storms
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asouss Mail Room Changes
Dear Editor,
This is a letter of special thanks
to family members who showed me
their love and concern in taking up
an offering and helping me out af
ter my accident on my job. It means
a lot to me to see the love a family
can share.
Thanks to all,
Victor Cureton
Roll 104
Dear Editor,
May I say how very proud I am of
the Wellness facility; the concept of
preventive medicine is such an en
lightened approach to good health.
I have found massage therapy
eliminates the need for pain pills,
entirely...
There is a need for several ap
pointments in a row in massage
therapy; and there in lies the prob
lem. It is very difficult to get back
in for a follow-up session.
, I have talked to other Tribal mem
bers who voice the same concern.
We feel it takes too long to get in
and too long a wait for subsequent
visits.:,. .
I truly hope this problem can be
acknowledged and addressed.
Gratefully, .
Charlene Freeman
Roll 194
Comment from Dr. Austin: Our
massage therapy service has
reached a level of maximum capac
ity, which causes longer waiting
times for appointments and longer
intervals between appointments.
This situation can result in less than
optimum results for those for whom
treatment is delayed. Currently we
are considering ways to fund and
expand our massage therapist staff
ing to accommodate the growing
need.
Editor's Note: We asked Dr.
Austin to provide an explanation
for Charlene's letter. Not only do
we want to print your letters, but
we want to try to find an answer
when possible.
By Chris Mercier
Up until recently about the only
threat your average postal worker
would encounter was the occasional
pit bull, sunburn or epic leg cramp.
But to quote musician Don Henley
and Tribal Mail Clerk Jeff Mercier
"This is the end of the innocence."
The recent perceived onslaught of
anthrax threats, through which the
postal service has been key, has
reached into Tribal territory. What
used to be one of the most cut-and-dried
duties around the Tribal Gov
ernance Center has quickly become
the most contentious.
"I wouldn't say my job has be
come much more difficult," said
Mercier. "But it's definitely become
more interesting."
Even the possibility of a microbial
calamity, was enough reason to
have the Tribal ad!ministration look
into safety measures in re
gards to mail room proce
dures. One of the remedies
was the relocation of the
mailroom office to an off-site
location. You won't find Jeff
on the first floor of the Gov
ernance Center anymore.
The blue house that for
merly housed the Grand
Ronde Gaming Commission near
Spirit Mountain Casino's Human
Resources building has become the
new mailroom.
"Basically, in order to minimize
the threat, we've been isolated," he
added. "We thought this was nec
essary because of the sheer volume
of mail we get from (Washington)
D.C."
But even further precautions
have been necessary. Mercier must
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now handle all mail through a thin
layer of latex gloves. Near his desk
sits a red bag, it looks like a first
aid kit, but it is a contaminant kit.
Guidelines for determining suspi
cious packages have been imprinted
in his memory. Any package with
out a return address receives hard
core scrutiny and is immediately re
turned to the Postal Service.
Such is the price of safety these
days.
Casino Hosts Restoration Concert
Continued from front page
Miller had a tough life growing
up.
"My father and I had a troubled
relationship till the day he died,"
said Miller. "He never really loved
me, just controlled me."
That sadness is often reflected
in his songs. Many deal with the
issues of abuse and abandonment
that plague Indian families.
"I still wish I had my dad to take
me trout fishing," said Miller.
His songs also talk about how it
is to be an Indian in the world to
day. "My songs talk about hope,
struggle, survival, forgiveness; a
lot of things," said Miller. They're
about the circle of life. My songs
are like stories. I try to create en
ergy with my music, so that the
listener can take a journey.
"I'm also addressing issues with
my music," continued Miller.
"That's the real purpose of my mu
sic. It keeps me more in tune with
what the Creator wants, not what
Bill Miller wants. My songs contain
unconditional love without it, I'd
be fake."
Miller s music is a roots-driven tes
timony to the rock'n'roll in his soul,
accented by crunching guitars, soar
ing lyrics and primal drums, all ac
companied by the haunting sound
of the traditional Native American
flute.
"My music is about healing. It's a
vehicle for communicating a mes
sage. With music, I realize people
are understanding thank God
that message," said Miller. "I also
realize that it's a gift; being able to
do what I do. There's no inbetween.
I try to be the best I can be. I'm still
developing that gift."
With bis music Miller communi
cates his vision of the role Natives
must play in America today.
"It is time this country knows
about Native people," said Miller. "I
want us to be more I'm sick of us
being lost children; of our people be
ing the lost children. We need to be
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Bill Miller
a part of the government. We
need a bigger voice. Even though
we're just one people, we're a very
big part of this nation, not only
our history, but also our future.
We need to find ways to look
ahead. We need to raise the bar.
We need to keep expanding
boundaries, not just here, but ev
erywhere. There are no bound
aries anymore. We must retain
our integrity with our language
and song. That's a magic we have
that other people don't. It adds
beauty to everything we do. That
we have that in us, it's powerful."
SMOKE SIGNALS, a publication of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of
Oregon, is published twice a month. No portion of this publication may be reprinted without permission.
Our editorial policy is intended to encourage Input from Tribal members and readers about stories
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 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 attacks on Individuals, staff, Tribal administration or Tribal Council. 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 SIGNALS, Tribal staff,
Tribal administration or Tribal Council.
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