JULY 1, 2002
Smoke Signals
2002 CANDIDATE STATEMENT!
Tim Holmes continued from page 6
leadership experience and background to make well informed deci
sions that are in the best interest of our Tribe. I have no personal
agendas and refuse to be influenced by those that do. I will work
hard to ensure that our Tribal organization remains focused on serv
ing the membership and not simply growing bureaucracy. I will
work diligently to ensure that those entrusted with managing our
financial resources, are truly benefiting our Tribe. I will conduct
myself in a professional manor and treat all people with dignity and
respect. I will work hard to find solutions and create opportunities.
We must all work together, incorporating the best thinking of our
entire organization and membership, to continue to thrive as a Sov
ereign Nation. We must not sacrifice our cultural values for either
personal or financial gains.
I would like to thank all of you who voted for me last year. I
appreciated your support, and I am asking you once again to vote
for me this year. For those of you that voted for others, I am very
glad you voted, and would ask that you consider voting for me this
year. Regardless of whom you vote for, please take the time to vote.
This is an opportunity for your voices to be heard. Your futures
depend upon whom you select to lead our Tribe. Thank you all.
Tim E. Holmes
Phone: 503-879-5500
E-Mail: tholmes5onlinemac.com
Web Site: timholmes4council.com
Margaret Provost
' -
'"Yu
Dear Tribal members,
It is with honor and respect that I ad
dress you, my fellow Tribal members.
My name is Margaret Provost and I'm
running for a Tribal Council seat in our
Tribal Election. This letter is to share
my experience, beliefs and ideas con
cerning our Tribe and future.
Manv of vou know me from the vears
of work on Restoration, from serving six years on our Tribal Council
and from remaining active on Tribal matters throughout my life. I
value my people and have strong belief that we are able to succeed
in all what we do. I appreciate all the hard work that has been done
through Tribal Councils who have served throughout the years and
I am willing to work with those who are serving you today. I believe
each council member must be strong hearted, knowledgeable, solution-oriented
and have cultural values in order to effectively lead
the Tribe. All of these characteristics are tools that are the under
pinnings for decision making and will surface during time of adver
sity. We have all read the recent publication of the Tribe and the
issues the Tribal Council is facing, I know first hand the seriousness
of serving on Tribal Council and know that I am equipped to help
form plans and implement strategies to combat adversarial issues
that will lead to a successful result.
Some issues that must be dealt with is enrollment, expansion of
opportunities for Tribal members, establishment of solid business
practices to safeguard our investments and resources and revital
ization of our cultural ways. These issues must surface as priority
and be addressed to the satisfaction of the members. I believe that
our ancestors had the wisdom that led us through the generations to
today and those cultural, traditional and wise practices will continue
to guide us, if applied. I pledge to incorporate our beliefs and prac
tices into our decision making process. I ask that you look into your
heart and see that what we have is related to my contribution to our
Tribe. In doing so, you will see that I have the experience, commit
ment and vision to serve on Tribal Council as your representative. I
have demonstrated my leadership throughout three decades and
remain committed to anticipate problems, meet each challenge and
make the best decision so that a prosperous life and future continues
for our people. I respectfully ask for your vote in our upcoming
Tribal Election.
Respectfully yours,
Margaret Provost
Roll 645
P.O. Box 343
Grand Ronde, OR 97347
Earl Floyd "Butch" LaBonte
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I would like to take this opportunity
to speak to the Grand Ronde Tribal
members. As most of you know, I have
been nominated to run for a position on
the Tribal Council. I have decided to
ask for this responsibility based on my
previous three year's experience on the
Tribal Council.
Communication
Communication is often one of the components of Tribal life that is
left to the wayside; I believe there are positive steps we can take to
keep an open line with Tribal members. Sensitive and personal is
sues must be discussed in executive session, but in the more general,
routine handling of the county's business, the Tribal Council must
be as open and forthcoming as possible. To this end, I will do my
very best to see that the new Tribal Council is gracious and atten
tive as possible to all who come before it.
What follows are "quick glances" on some of the issues facing our
Tribe today.
Economic Development
Given the current statistics on Indian communities, unemployment
at least 15 percent, crowded housing, poor health and many of the
social problems that are attached to these. It's my opinion that Eco
nomic Development is the most important aspect of Tribal Govern
ment we need to focus on. To accomplish the goals we've set forth,
we need to look at many details; housing, skill development, finan
cial resources and many more.
Education
The most important beginning to a strong economic base and the
ability to administer it capably is rooted in education. Tribal mem
bers need to be encouraged in all available ways to pursue and achieve
the highest level of education necessary to carry into future genera
tions, what we're building today.
These are some key points I would like to share with you, if we
haven't met already I look forward to meeting with you and discuss
ing your concerns. If you have further questions, please feel free to
contact me at 503-879-2825. Thank you again for your continued
support in the 2002 Tribal Council Election.
Earl Floyd "Butch" LaBonte
Joseph Brisbois
I- L ,
7 4S
Hello my fellow Tribal members! I
would like to give you a short introduc
tion of myself and why I'm running for
Tribal Council.
My name is Joseph P. Brisbois. My
parents are Dan Brisbois, Sr. and the
late Joann Brisbois. My grandparents
are the late Joe and Mable Palmer.
Mable is of the Wheeler familv. Mv
wife's name is Jennifer Brisbois. She lives in Idaho where she works
for the Nez Perze Tribe. I have three daughters, one step-daughter
and one son. Their names are Naomi Brisbois, Tonya Brisbois, Leah
Brisbois, Santia Picard and Donald Brisbois. I am also on the Cul
ture and Pow-wow Committee and work at the Health Clinic where
most of you see me.
I would like to let everyone know that I'm running for Tribal Council
because we need younger people that are willing to go out and talk
to the Elders and the rest of the community to find out what they
want. When I'm asked anything I will give you a truthful answer. I
may not always tell you what you want to hear, but I will find out
why and give you an honest answer. I know I'll do a good job for our
Tribal members who live in the six counties and those out of state.
We all need our voices heard for the Tribal members that do not live
within our community; I will do my best to keep them informed on
upcoming events and things that I feel are most important upon
their request. As Tribal members you deserve to know what is going
on with investment plans and hiring preferences. Are our Tribal
members getting the preference they deserve? I know we are grow
ing fast and our enrollment needs to be looked at and see where it
could be fixed.
I hope everyone will vote with their hearts and minds to keep our
culture alive. Remember to register and vote for three out of eigh
teen that are running for office. There are a lot of good people run
ning. I would like to thank all for taking the time to read my letter. Your
vote would be deeply appreciated. Thank you again.
Thanks,
Joseph Brisbois
Roll 871