2 JANUARY 15, 2003
Smoke Signals
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Dear Smoke Signals,
Thank you to all those individuals who stopped by, prayed for me, and sent
me flowers and gifts while I was in the hospital.
Thank you,
Dale Langley
Roll 387
Dear Smoke Signals,
lama Native American incarcerated in state prison in the deep southern part
of California, where an Indian brother passed along a publication of Smoke
Signals. It's the first Indian paper I've seen in a long time and I must say it's
magnificent reading it. I absolutely enjoy the articles, especially about the pow
wows which I so do miss. I'm looking forward to receiving my own copy soon.
Thanks for brightening my day,
Mitakuye Owasin Tumbleweed
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Tribal Council
member Val
Grout with her
mother, the late
Arvella Houck
(Granny).
You have left me with so many memories I will always cherish. The
sound of your voice, your smile, not only your laugh but the way you could
always make us laugh too. The tremendous amount of love you had for
each and everyone of us. These are just a few of the things I will really
miss.
I know you have moved on to a better place full of reunions with all the
people we have missed all these years. Your journey has just begun. I
know I will see you again one day too. Until then, just know I love you
very much and I am very proud to be your great-grandaughter.
Love always, '
Tina
(Arvella's Great Granddaughter Tina Grout)
Family Tradition
Logging In The Northwest Spans The Generations
By Willie Mercier
Recently Per Carlback and Lennart Ekrud, from the Husqvarna Cor
poration that manufactures chainsaws flew from Sweden, where their
operation is based, to Oregon to watch Jason Mercier field test Oregon
Cutting Systems new chainsaw bars, (see cover photo).
Growing up in a logger's home is nothing new around Grand Ronde.
"When I was growing up I used to like to see what he (my dad) had
leftover in his lunch bucket" said Tribal Elder Louise Coulson as she re
members growing up with a logger for a father.
Jason Mercier, a Tribal member and fifth generation logger, can relate.
We used to do the same thing. Fighting with each other over the leftover
desserts was a popular afternoon event when our father got home.
The timber industry is a major part of the Grand Ronde community.
Mercier's ties to the timber industry run deep. Jason is a "cutter" like his
Dad, (Lowell Mercier) his Grandfather (Darrel Mercier) and all the way
back to his Great, Great Grandfather (Arthur "Pop" Mercier).
Falling timber is listed as the most dangerous job in America according
to Forbes Magazine, which states that out of every 100,000 timber fallers,
122 die annually.
So why does someone so young (he's only 25 and has been cutting tim
ber for five year's now) choose this line of work?
"The crew was shorthanded and they asked me, so I went", said Mercier.
It helps that his family has been logging
for decades. He remembers working with
his Grandfather Darrel and Great Grand
father Hubert they would cut small jobs
during the summers when he was in high
school.
"It helped me catch on quickly growing
up with it in the family" said Mercier. He
has had trouble in the past getting work
due to his age though; he was turned
away from one job because they thought
he was too young. "I don't know of many
cutters who are as young as I am" said
Mercier.
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Generations Hubert Mercier is shown here back in his younger days when he
was logging like his great grandson Jason is today. Loggers in the Mercier family have
spanned the generations in Grand Ronde and the Northwest.
Community Center Reminder
Anyone who is interested in reserving the Community Center will need
to contact the Facilities Administrative Assistant, Amelia Haug at 503-879-2195.
Activities and events are not automatically carried over from
year to year, reservations for the Community Center are on a first come,
first served basis.
33
fit
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
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Printed on recycled paper.
BRENT MERRILL
PUBLIC INFORMATION
COORDINATOREDITOR
503-879-2321
brent.merrillgrandronde.org
JUSTIN PHILLIPS
PRODUCTION SPECIALIST
503-879-2190
justin.phillipsgrandronde.org
WILLIAM MERCIER
PRODUCTION TECHNICIAN
503-879-2254
willie.merciergrandronde.org
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503-879-4663
ron.kartengrandronde.org
DIANA ROBERTSON
NEWS ASSISTANT
503-879-1453
diana.robertsongrandronde.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.
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