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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 15, 2002)
2 AUGUST 15, 2002 Smoke Signals Letter to the Grand Ronde Community, I would like to thank the Education department and Scholarship Committee for support of my education by awarding me a full-time Graduate Scholarship this year. I was not able to attend the awards ceremony but my family and I very much appreciate the honor. Over the past few years I have worked with the Education department on several issues, in speaking to high school students about the need for a college education and through proposals to create special scholarships and educational opportunities for college students. The Education department, especially Marion Mercier, April Campbell and Kevin Simmons, have been interested, helpful, receptive and accommodating toward my educational needs. I recommend that anyone who is in college and needs assistance or who wants to go, to speak with the staff in education. During my graduate studies, the past three years, I have been honored to have the support of my family, community and Tribe. During this time, I have co-authored a paper on the origins of the word "Oregon" which was published in the Summer 2001 issue of the Oregon Historical Quarterly. I also worked as a coordinator of the Coquille Tribe's Southwest Oregon Research Project where copies of this valuable collection of Tribal manuscripts were gifted to 18 Tribes, including Grand Ronde. Additionally, I have worked with members of Smith River Rancheria to finish my Master's of Arts degree at the University of Or egon in Cultural Anthropology. In addition, I am using my education in work ing with the Grand Ronde Culture Committee to plan and build the longhouse in Grand Ronde. Without the support of my family, community and Tribe, I would not be able to accomplish all that I have. My accomplishments and education are supported through a series of scholar ships from Grand Ronde and the University of Oregon. Because of this, I see myself as a resource for Native students seeking advice or help in finding fund ing, or a successful educational experience. Over the past few years I have aided several Native students by mentoring them though the difficult issues they face here at the University of Oregon. Many students have begun studying their Tribal culture and history through the use of the Southwest Oregon Research Project collection here at the university. There is a great need for more Indian students to be professionally educated in Cultural Resource Management, Tra ditional Cultural Properties, and Tribal history. Should anyone seek help or advice with a college education, please contact me at my office, 541-346-5525, Suite 252 Condon Hall, University of Oregon, or email me at: coyotezoregon.uoregon.edu. Thank you again, David G. Lewis Roll 2741 Dear Tribal members This is the first time I have addressed the Grand Ronde people about any thing and I have procrastinated the idea for a long time. Quite frankly, I am fairly selfish with my time and I don't like taking time to write even the most important letters. However, having said that, I still realize the importance of passing on my experience to the people who may not know of a certain benefit the Tribe offers, a very valuable service. So here it is. About two years ago, I had a situation that caused me an inconvenience and monetary loss. I contacted the party whom caused me the losses, but they ignored me. I realized the only way I was going to recoup my loses was to do it legally. I was aware the Tribe retained lawyer services for Tribal members, but I had no faith it would do me any good. Particularly, I knew I really did not have a strong enough case a lawyer would consider. I rely mostly on my com mon sense and I know a little about most things, including the legal system. I figured I would be wasting my time contacting the lawyer and in fact I had no faith in lawyers with only having bad experiences with them from the past. Knowing my case was weak and having little to no faith in lawyers, I decided to at least call them. Next I found out just how wrong I was. The lawyer the Tribe had retained not only pointed out I did have legal grounds, he went on to win me more compensation that my losses to begin with. I was completely shocked when the lawyer was willing to listen and take on my fairly petty evidence in this weak case. I was equally surprised when he won the legal battle in a very short period of time. Since that time, I now have faith there are some attorneys out there that really will listen and go the extra mile for you. Later on I again had the misfortune of a company beating me out of a fairly large sum of money thereby needing my lawyers' services again. At that time I had no hesitation about calling my same attorney. Again, he took my case without any reservations. The case is still on-going, but this time I have faith and knowledge I did not have two years ago. I know my lawyer will go the distance and I know I can trust him and I believe he will win again. I want you all to know about this great service the Tribal Council has pro vided for us. Tribal members, if you have need for legal advice, you should not hesitate to call one of our legal aid staff. You may be surprised as I was. You literally have nothing to loose but your time. My services were provided in Albany, but there may be an office near you. Finally, I'm glad I was not all that selfish with my time, it paid off. Thank you the people of the Grand Ronde Tribe and thank you Tribal Council people for having the foresight to implement this valuable benefit. Please Tribal Council, keep on funding this valuable service for Tribal mem bers. Sincerely, John Darcy (Chantell) Roll 1767 Hello, My name is Fred McGee. I attend all Tribal Council General Sessions and I take notes at these meetings. After the meeting I compose my notes into a Word document and send it out to any Tribal members who are interested. I usually get this document out within 24 hours of the meeting, so you can be informed as quickly as possible. If you would like to receive my compiled notes from these meetings please feel free to send me your e-mail address and request to be put on the mailing list. I am committed to keeping the membership updated on Tribal issues. Thank you for you time, if you have any questions feel free to e-mail me at mcgeef87hotmail.com. Concerned Tribal member, Fred McGee Roll 1172 Dear Editor, Happy birthday to my son Anthony, (August 18) and brother Bruce (August 12). Thank you, Smoke Signals, for the article on my graduation from Portland State University, June 16, 2002, with a Bachelor Degree in Social Science. I could not have accomplished this without the help of our Education Dept., the Tribal Council, Bee Jai Repp, from Portland State University - Salem Campus, and my co-workers. When one graduates, I assure you there are many, many people involved in the accomplishment besides the hard work of the student. I have a GPA of 3.75 at PSU and I am very grateful for all the help I received. Claudette Velma May Parazoo Tribal Elder, 2923 PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347 1-800-422-0232 FAX: 503-879-2173 DEADLINE DATE ISSUE DATE Fri., July 19 AUG.l Mon.,Aug.5 AUG. 15 Tue.,Aug. 20 SEPT.l Thurs.,Sept.5 SEPT. 15 Thurs., Sept. 19 OCT. 1 Fri., Oct. 4 OCT. 15 Fri., Oct. 18 N0V.1 Tue., Nov. 5 NOV. 15 Fri., Nov. 15 DEC. 1 Thurs., Dec. 5 DEC. 15 Mon., Dec. 16 JAN. 1 Printed on recycled paper. SMOKE SIGNALS ONLINE: www.grandronde.org 8 BRENT MERRILL PUBLIC INFORMATION COORDINATOREDITOR 503-879-2321 brent.merrillgrandronde.org JUSTIN PHILLIPS PRODUCTION SPECIALIST 503-879-2190 justin.phillipsgrandronde.org WILLIAM MERCIER PRODUCTION ASSISTANT 503-879-2254 willie.merciergrandronde.org RON KARTEN PRODUCTION ASSISTANT 503-879-4663 ron.kartengrandronde.org PETATINDA FREELANCE JOURNALIST 503-879-1416 peta.tindagrandronde.org SMOKE SIGNALS, a publication of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Commu nity 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 re quested. SMOKE SIGNALS reserves the right to edit letters and to refuse letters that are deter mined to contain libelous statements or personal attacks on individuals, staff, Tribal administra tion 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. ELECTION EDITORIAL POLICY In order to ensure a balanced election campaign and fairness to all candidates, the SMOKE SIGNALS 2002 Tribal Council Election Editorial Policy for letters to the editor will be as follows: Subject to existing editorial policies regarding libel, personal attacks and unsubstan tiated facts, 1. Letters in support of candidates will NOT be published in regular editions of the SMOKE SIGNALS. 2. Statements from candidates will be published in a special election edition of SMOKE SIGNALS, currently scheduled for July 1, 2002. 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. 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