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Kulongoski Kicks Off New Era in Oregon With A Ball
Next governor faces tough decisions on economy, public retirement programs and Indian gaming.
By Peta Tinda
FEBRUARY 1, 2003
istorically, political leaders in Oregon
have been a reflection of the state itself
from Tom McCall posing for national
publications in hip waders while fish
ing in Oregon's once-famous rivers in the 1970s to
Republican Governor Vic Atiyeh's example of heart
and commitment when approving the Restoration of
the Grand Ronde Tribe in the '80s to outgoing Gov
ernor John Kitzhaber's distinguishable cowboy boots
in the '90s each has been unique in style and
actions. Now, citizens of this state, can only wait
and wonder what newly elected Democratic Gover
nor Ted Kulongoski's legacy and subsequent track
record will be.
At Kulongoski's Inaugural Ball at the Portland
Hilton on Saturday, January 1 1 he may have begun
to lay the ground work for that legacy when he stated
to a packed house that he intends to work closely
with all nine of Oregon's federally recognized Indian
Tribes.
Kulongoski already has considerable experience in
working with Native American issues during his
time as the state's Attorney General. He also was
head of the governor's task force on gaming, which
develops policies regarding both state and Tribal
gaming.
Grand Ronde Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryl
Kennedy said that she believes the relationship be
tween the administration and the Tribe is stronger
than ever thanks to the government-to-government
policies established in recent years.
"I think that we will have a more open door policy,
across the board," said Kennedy. "We will also be
staying on course, with the same message of coop
eration and communication."
"We support him," said Intergovernmental Affairs
Director Justin Martin. "We feel that Governor
Kulongoski is receptive to Native American issues
because of his past experience. He also has a good
understanding of how Tribal governments operate."
Martin said the Tribe wants to increase commu
nication with the Kulongoski administration.
In the past, Martin said, the Tribes focus was to
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defuse legislation that was potentially harmful to
the Tribe. In 1997, there were 38 legislative mea
sures that were potentially damaging, but none of
these bills passed.
"Nineteen of those could have caused problems with
respect to gaming," said Martin.
In 1999, that number fell dramatically to three
potentially negative bills.
Workin' It Tribal Intergovernmental Affairs Direc
tor Justin Martin and Tribal Council member Valorie Sheker
Robertson work the room at the Inaugural Ball. Both
Martin and Sheker-Robertson said they want to work
hard to ensure good relations with the newly elected
governor.
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Show of Support Members of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and their elected officials showed
support for the new governor by attending Ted Kulongoski's Inaugural Ball in Portland on January 11. From bottom
left are Tribal member and Community Fund Director Angela Blackwell, Tribal member and Mentorship Program
Coordinator Denise Ripley, Tribal Attorney Rob Greene, Tribal member and Spirit Mountain Casino Marketing Director
Adam Henny, Tribal member and Tribal Council member Valorie Sheker-Robertson, Tribal member and Tribal Chair
woman Cheryle Kennedy, Yamhill County Commissioner Mary Stern and Tribal member and Tribal Council Secretary
June Sell-Sherer.
"To me, that was a huge success," said Martin.
Martin attributes this warming of the political cli
mate to improved communication between Tribal and
state governments.
"This has led to a tangible shift in legislature in
the state," said Martin. In 2001 we were able to
pass six bills that have positive implications for not
only Grand Ronde, but for
other Tribes as well."
I Martin explained the Tribe's
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Kulongoski administration
and the new legislature.
"We want better communi
cation and education between
governments. We want to ex
plain what Tribal
government's are able to do, not only for Tribal mem
bers, but non-Tribal as well. We also want to show
we're able to cooperate with the new government and
legislature, and we want to show what we can offer."
Martin said with the new governor and legislature
focused on the state budget shortfall, there probably
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won't be any decisions regarding Oregon Tribes soon.
But he said he will continue to monitor any proposed
bills to see if any introduced legislation will affect Or
egon Tribes, either in Grand Ronde or elsewhere. If
Measure 28, a temporary income tax increase fails,
then it is probable that there will be cuts to social ser
vices that many Tribal members depend on.
"If there are budget cuts we want to see how those
affect Tribal members," said Martin. It will be in
teresting to see how certain cuts on a state level will
affect Tribal members."
If there are cuts, Martin said, they will likely be
from state programs such as education, mental
health, assisted living and Elder care.
"At Grand Ronde, we are able to offset some of those
cuts with programs and services of our own. But
what about those who don't live in the six county
service area? We will be closely monitoring the situ
ation to see if there will be implications for C.T.G.R.
members or not."
Martin said that he and his staff will be on call if
Tribal members or department managers have ques
tions or concerns regarding the legislature.
Leaders Grand Ronde Tribal Elder and former Tribal Council Chair Kathryn
Harrison (left) attended the Inaugural Ball and got a chance to spend time with
longtime friend Sue Shaffer the Chair of the Cow Creek Tribe.
Photos by Peta Tinda
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