2 JULY 15, 2003
Smoke Signals
Dear Smoke Signals,
This letter is to tell you all what happened recently and how it has upset our
family. On the Friday before Memorial Day, someone went to the Tribal cem
etery and stole a big blue Toyota truck and some other articles off of Jerry
Brandon's grave. I cannot tell you how totally disrespectful this is to Jerry and
his family. We are very upset! We would like for the person or persons to return
these items. These things do not mean anything to anyone else like they do to
us. They were placed there by his family as a tribute to Jerry.
Our families were taught that a cemetery is sacred place. A place where you
leave your family members to rest in peace. We leave things at the grave to help
us cope with our loss. We leave things in remembrance and we leave things
because it is a sacred place where our husband, brother, father, son, grandson
and friend was laid to rest. Not a place where you steal and take things that do
not belong to you.
Jill Brandon
Roll 1895
Dear Tribal membership,
As the temperature rises this summer, so does the political activity in Wash
ington, D.C. This summer I am fortunate to be serving in our State Senator
Gordon H. Smith's office as a Morris K. Udall Intern. The late "Mo" Udall was
an Arizona congressman and former presidential candidate who fought for Ameri
can Indian rights and sovereignty. He supported the restoration of our Tribe
and many others during his 30 years on the hill.
Senator Smith, a distant relative of Morris Udall, has recently been appointed
to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, which is the most important com
mittee in the nation pertaining to Native issues. He truly looks forward to
helping Oregon's Tribes continue to develop and prosper. Now that I am work
ing in his office, I hope that you all will take the opportunity to contact me to
share information on any issues that may affect Indian Country. If someone is
visiting Washington, D.C. and would like a tour of the capitol and a photo with
the senator, that can also be arranged.
All commentary is welcome and even desired, as your input helps the senator
shape his legislation. Please do contact usTIbok forward to hearing from all
fellow Tribal members.
Sincerely,
Bryan Mercier,
Roll 1357
Office of Senator Gordon H. Smith, 404 Russell Building, Morris K. Udall ,
Intern, Washington, D.C. 20510. Phone 202-224-3753 . - . ;
Dear Tribal members,
I am grateful to be able to clear up some recent statements about me. For the
record: I am not, nor have I filed any suit against our Tribe. Immediately after
a letter was sent to the Tribe, I contacted council and the Tribe and made it
clear, in writing that "I would NEVER litigate against my own people." This
issue is about two years old and everyone on our Tribal Council knows this.
I am truly sad that there are those who feel the need to attack people and their
families publicly. I live and work for the Tribe here in Grand Ronde and can see
that we just want to move on to good things for our people.
Thank you all, I apologize again for any misunderstanding. If you receive any
further information, please feel free to contact me.
Take good care,
Jan Michael Reibach
Roll 3227
503-879-5734
In the last issue of Smoke Signals, we reported that the student
longhouse was being built at Oregon State University. This is incorrect,
it is being built at the University of Oregon.
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New Project Dan Kauffman Excavating has begun site work for the Tribes'
upcoming convenience store and gas station. The company is reprocessing the
old asphalt, mixing it with gravel to use for fill for parking and roadway construction.
Reusing these materials will save the Tribes about $12,000, according to Tribal
Engineer Eric Scott. This part of the project should be finished by the time this
issue of Smoke Signals is out, and general contractor PNE Corporation will begin
laying the foundations for the building, the gas service canopy and some under
ground utilities. Project is scheduled for "substantial completion" by late Novem
ber with a projected opening date in mid-December.
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3J3333 003200
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JUSTIN PHILLIPS
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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.
In order to ensure a balanced election campaign and fairness to all candidates, the SMOKE
SIGNALS 2003 Tribal Council Election Editorial Policy for letters to the editor will be as follows:
Subject to existing editorial policies regarding libel, personal attacks and unsubstantiated
facts.
1. Letters in support of candidates will NOT be published in regular editions of SMOKE
SIGNALS.
2. Letters to the editor from candidates will NOT be published during the time period from
nominations to the conclusion of the Tribal Council Election.
3. 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.
Members of: Native American Journalist Association
The Associated Press