Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2003)
DECEMBER 1, 2003 Smoke Signals 4 ' '1 v f " j 'ill''' J ) 4 ' r ? ft I1 ft i Pleased Tribal Council member Ed Larsen smiles as he watches the festivities at the Tribes 20 year Restoration Celebration. The event, held on November 22, was for Tribal members to reflect on the struggles and triumphs of the people who came before them. Larsen said he was pleased at the large turnout, as over 600 people filled the auditorium. M ... wm? I Hi 'f '"i ' c Entertainment Tribal member Jan Micheal "Looking Wolf Riebach donated his time playing the Native American flute at the Tribes' Restoration Celebration. Restoration continued from front page Spirit Mountain Casino the event marked the anniversary of the Tribes' 20th year of Restoration then you were able to gather that each had their own unique memo ries of what Restoration was all about. Each speaker reflected on what they remember about the days be fore, during and after what turned out to be the most critical few years of Tribal history the years that led to Restoration. The days, weeks, months and what turned out to be years of work that people endured putting the pieces of the Tribe back together again were just the begin ning of what has become a modern day Indian Nation, with all its bumps and bruises. But also with all its success and all its dreams. In the Resto ration Video, Tribal Chair- am very proud to have been part of the planning and decision making," .. said Tribal member and former Tribal Councilor Candy Robertson of her days helping the early Res toration efforts. "The success of our Tribe is remarkable." "We're the Red," said Tribal El der and former Tribal Chair Kathryn Harrison of our Indian people today. "The world needs lots of Red because that is strength." Harrison reflected on the early days of the Restoration movement in Grand Ronde and said people thought the Tribe was looking for a hand out. She remembered dis agreeing and answering back thought our people had "paid in ad- ifm- mi tZktm ftf iiipjiims'i m woman Cheryle A. Kennedy said, "If we forget, it can happen again." She was talking about termination in 1954. The only reason we are talking about something like Restoration today is because of termination. On the big screen in front of a ca pacity crowd of Tribal members, their family members and invited guests was Tribal Vice Chairman Reyn Leno saying termination won't happen again if he has anything to do about it. "We are doing the things that will make sure that termination doesn't happen again," said Leno in living color. Both of these Tribal leaders learned their history from their families. "I have pleasant memories and I vance, for what we were getting" in the aftermath of being restored to federally recognized status. -Her memories still drive her to day. The keynote speaker, former Con gresswoman Elizabeth Furse, had a private meeting with the archi tects of Tribal Restoration, Marvin Kimsey and Merle Holmes prior to the event. When it came time for Margaret Provost, Kimsey and Holmes to be honored for their ef forts for Restoration, they were not present. Furse then talked to the people about her passion for the good fight. Fighting for Tribal perspec tives is what gets her going and she puts her words into action as the head of the Mark O. Hatfield Insti tute for Tribal Government at Port land State University everyday. "I have had enormously success ful relationships with Tribal gov ernments," said Furse in her key note address. "I feel extremely proud. Nothing has made me prouder than to have worked with the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Indians. Indian Tribes and Indian people never forget their history. When the word 'Grand Ronde' is said faces light up. Grand Ronde has given hope for Tribes that are still struggling." Tribal member Justin Martin, Emcee for the event, came all the way from Boston and Harvard University to be at the Tribe's his toric day. Martin read a list of names of past council members as each had their photo shown. Not everybody liked their photo this year, but if that is Restoration Cel ebration Coordina tor Charles Haller's only mistake I vote to spare his life. Chef Richard Burr and Food and Beverage Manager Toby TenEyck prepared a meal of salmon, seafood and traditional elk and eel. A young couple stood conspicuously close to the dinner serving table so they could eat first, forgetting the rule that Elders always eat first. Tribal members walked around with posters that commemo rated the day's events and the peoples' past. Some kids used them for light sabers and an- ' other kid had headphones on f throughout the entire Restora- 2? tion history video and all the speaker's presentations. His s mother sat quietly nearby, lis- tening intently. The folks from Michigan failed to stir up an ado and turned out to be just nice people who wanted to visit with family and share in a good meal. People snuck out to have a smoke. Some people snuck out to play a nickel machine and others needed to check the civil war score. Restoration Governor Vic Atiyeh didn't make it, but former Tribal Chairman Mark Mercier shared his thoughts about all that the Tribe had achieved and he remarked that he was getting older. Since he was on the stage he didn't hear the women in the audience remark on his good looks. "I can only wonder where the Tribe will be in another 20 years ..." said Mercier. When I left, Crystal Gayle was getting ready to play and I was worrying what possible trouble could be coming from the interview Tribal Elder Dean Mercier was last seen doing with that brand new Statesman Journal reporter. I'm sure I'll find out. B X
