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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2002)
6 MAY 1, 2002 Smoke Signals r First Spring Time Fashion Show Sports Local Talent, Colorful Designs High rollers and invited guests join host Diana George for a day of fun, finger food and models on the runway. I ji By Peta Tinda The first annual Spirit Moun tain Spring Fashion Show was a gala event, complete with models, music and many styl ish clothes. The show, coordinated by Tribal member Diana George, Manager of Guest Services, was held in the Rogue Room at Spirit Mountain Casino. The clothes featured in the fashion show are avail able at Spirit Mountain Outfitters, located in the t casino. There were outfits from Latitude a local com pany based in Corvallis; Wek - a women's wear line; and a line of clothes from Canada called Milton's -which provided all of the children's clothing. "The Milton's line is espe cially popular at the gift shop," said George. "Theyjustflyout the door." The models were all local . vnlnntpprs rasinn pmnlnv- ees and their children. All of the children in the show were Tribal members. "We hope to make it an annual springtime event," said George. Much of the new attire on the runway had Native themes, blending traditional patterns and contemporary clothing, just the thing for the stylish Tribal member. The types of clothing on display went from swimwear to eveningwear,-casual clothes to power suits. "We used a lot of bright spring colors and lots of flower prints for the women," said George. "All of the clothing is top quality. I like qual ity." Once in the Rogue Room, the models got their chance to strut their stuff on a catwalk that was set up for the show. The models made their way down the stage, paused and then struck a few poses. The crowd of about 60 people applauded each model as they exited the stage. "I was very pleased with the way the show went, with the cooperation of the casino and the staff for participating," said George. "We all worked together and it turned out great." B , .-) i ', ... . B k 1 if , '( ('.' V y t : ;A I V ' fx ' Cheri Barnes Anthony Cook Carol Larsen Jenny Baily Grand Ronde Tribe Establishes Appeals Court Three judges with impressive credentials bring even more credibility to the Tribe's already well-known court system. By Chris Mercier No nation is complete without a judicial system. Tribal Council knew this back in 1989 when they passed the Tribal Court Ordinance. With that official act, the foundations were laid for a developing system of Tribal laws and regulations, one that could be best described as in a constant state of evolution. How much evolution? In the first year the court dealt with a few cases, all of them child welfare. Within the last two years alone the number of cases has skyrocketed to more than a few dozen as the court has gone on to include, in addition to child welfare and custody cases, name changes, marriages, divorces, parental termination, employment decisions, contracts involving the Tribe, fish & wildlife licenses, small claims and even handgun permits. Without a doubt, enrollment cases ha ve become the issue of the day, effectively comprising a majority of the cases brought to Tribal Court these days. Many Tribal laws are modeled after state and federal ones, though a certain slant is often found as the Tribe incorporates numerous traditional, Native beliefs and principles, making Grand Ronde's Tribal Court unique in every sense of the word. When Judge Katherine English came on board four years ago, the door was open for even greater possibilities. One of those possibilities became a necessity when it was obvious after the flood of cases that the Tribal court system needed more than one arbiter, and now we have the appellate court, or more commonly known as the cou rt of appeals. I'm often reminded of Dances With Wolves whenever the words "Indian Law" come up. You know the scene. Successful buffalo hunt, all the Indians huddled around the fire gnawing on tatanka ribs. A Sioux warrior coolly strides into the teepee wearing John Dunbar's old royal blue Union cap. Everybody laughs he wears the white man's hat. Hee-hee "That's my hat," Dunbar tells him. Not so, says the warrior, it was left on the prai rie. Dunbar wants it back. They both stand up from their sitting positions, glaring at one an other, and the fireside crowd falls into silence, evidently anticipating some scuffle. But Wind In His Hair, played by Rodney Grant, soothes the tension by steadfastly telling the warrior that he must trade something for the hat. Dances With Wolves gets an intricate Sioux breastplate, carved of bone. The two sides rejoin the feast, satisfied. It's too bad that disputes over property or wrongdoing can't be resolved with such simple efficiency anymore, especially in Indian Coun try. But alas, society advances towards new lev els of complexity all the time and with them their respective legal systems. Even Grand Ronde can't wage a successful war on evolution. Then again, few people should complain of the estab lishment of a Tribal Appeals Court, for although it does add another layer to an already un-simple judicial system, more than anything the appoint ment of three appellate judges signifies the Tribe's dedication to fairness and accuracy. In the saga of justice, that's huge. "With more cases, with more laws, it's impor tant to know we're making the right decisions," said Tribal member Angela Fasana, who works as Tribal Court Administrator. "It's important to have more than one person solidifying those laws and setting precedents. We've tried to get an appeals court for a while." Indeed. Previously, Katherine English, as the Tribe's sole judge, was that one person in charge of maintaining the Tribe's legal system. Yet since her introduction into the Tribe five years ago, English pushed for an appellate court, an idea only fully realized last June when Tribal Council amended the Tribal Court Ordinance to allow for an appeals process. The judges them selves officially started in September of 2001. Establishing a court of any kind is never an easy task and Grand Ronde's newest legal en tity was no exception. Rules and regulations for the court had to be drawn up, the majority of them simply adopted from the Federal Appel late system. Tribal Attorney Rob Greene and Judge English pored over and screened applicants for over a year before resting on their three selections. Contracts were negotiated and each judge signed on for two years. "It was definitely a task," said Fasana, who was present dur ing the whole process. "Judge English really pushed for the court," she added. "She wanted to be sure she was mak- ing the right decisions." And basically, under the appellate system, that is exactly what the new judges will do: re view English's decisions and ensure they were justified. Should a party in a particular case be dissatisfied with the decision, the case can be sent to the appeals court. By due process, the judge or judges can look over the case, though with no further admission of evidence or testi mony. If they disagree with the decision, it can be overturned. Either way, disagreeing or con-
