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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 15, 2003)
DECEMBER 15, 2003 Smoke Signals Dear Smoke Signals, St Andrew's Mission Cemetery, Umatilla Reservation, Pendleton, Oregon. This is the final resting place of Rock Pichette, my great, great grandfather and ancestor to many Tribal members of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Rock is the grandfather of Mabel Gaston, whose father, John Pichette, is the brother of my great grandmother, Emma Pichette Pelland. The white tombstone on the grave has this inscription: Rock Pichette Died: March 10, 1902 Age: 66 years 4 months Asleep in Jesus! peaceful rest Whose waking is supremely blest Rock and Victoria had 13 children. Certainly their moving to Grand Ronde from their French Prairie farm must have been difficult. When we look to our ancestors, the Ahnkuttie (old people), we must not forget their struggle to sur vive in a hostile world, much as we work to protect ourselves in the 21st cen tury. Rock went to Umatilla to work on a construction project and passed on into etermity. In 1902, it was impossible for him to be brought back to Grand Ronde. When you are in the Umatilla Country, do stop in the St. Andrew's Mission Cemetery and pause to respect a Grand Ronde ancestor. Thank you, Claudette Parazoo Tribal Tilikum Elder 2923 Dear Tribal Council, I want to thank you so much for the Tribal Pendleton Blanket I received in the mail for Restoration. God Bless you all. Evelyn Stevens Roll 3083 To The Editor: Mr. Merrill: What possible purpose did it serve to publically insult a Tribal Elder in your article regarding the Restoration Celebration in the latest issue of Smoke Signals? I 'm referring to the last paragraph of the article "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 that brand new Statesman Journal reporter. I'm sure I'll find out." You should be praising him instead of taking verbal potshots at Dean. You should thank him for his efforts not only in the Restoration but also the Reservation Bill presented and signed into law for our Tribe. There are very few who can claim to have worked on both Bills and have it be fact. Your comments were very inappropriate and a sad way to demonstrate respect to an Elder, no matter what you personally feel about him. Jackie Whisler Roll 545 Editor's Note One of the best things about being in Indian Country day in and day out is the humor. When Indian people make an effort to tease someone it is a way of showing you like somebody. When I first got to Grand Ronde years ago I was reintroduced to a long time friend of my family, Tribal Elder Dean Mercier. If you know Dean then you know that his feisty nature and his humor go hand in hand. I consider Dean and his wife Chris to be great friends, as I know they consider me to be their friend. We have shared a lot of laughs over the years with the teasing that we throw back and forth. We have also shed some tears. Dean and Chris' friendship for me became all too clear a couple of years ago when Chris and Dean's son L.Cpl. Keoki Santos walked on after an experimental military plane crash. They turned to me to handle the crush of media attention they were besieged with after Keoki's death. We got through that and our friendship grew strong. After speaking with Dean, he understands my intent to me, that was what was important. The comment you refer to was meant to be humorous, but I do apologize if you were offended. Thanks for the opportunity to explain. Dear Smoke Signals, The holiday season is here and it is certainly a beautiful time of year. In 1992 I was living in Portland, Oregon, working for the Bureau of Land Management. It was going to be a slim Christmas because of some bills to be paid. I was delightfully surprised to get a Christmas card from the Grand Ronde Tribal Council along with a check for $50. I recall how thankful I was for those dollars and especially since they came unexpectedly. We have enjoyed larger checks over the years and each is very wonderful to receive. Thank you Tribal Council. Claudette Parazoo Tribal Tilikum Elder 2923 Editor's Note It was brought to our attention that the young couple referred to in the Restoration celebration article were standing at the front of the food line because they had been asked to keep others from starting to eat early. They were allowed to then eat first as a thank you for their courtesy. 3Kwji$3as h&i.Mig humwm m mm 15 ft t wrr VHimrmm.i fmmnmmwm mmm wsmm imssm PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347 1-800-422-0232 FAX: 503-879-2173 www.grandronde.org WJ If! 'I ii. fc BRENT MERRILL PUBLIC INFORMATION COORDINATOREDITOR 503-879-2321 brent.merrillgrandronde.org DEADLINE DATE ISSUE DATE Frl., Dec. 16 JAN. 1,2004 Mon.,Jan.5 JAN. 15 Tues., Jan. 20 FEB.1 Thurs., Feb. 5 FEB. 15 Fri.,Feb.20 MAR. 1 Fri., Mar. 5 MAR. 15 Frl., Mar. 19 APR. 1 Mon., Apr. 5 APR. 15 Mon., Apr. 19 MAY. 1 Wed., May. 5 MAY. 15 Fri., May. 21 JUN.1 Fri.,Jun.4 JUN.15 Fri.,Jun.18 JUL. 1 Fri., Jul. 2 JUL. 15 Mon., Jul. 19 AUG1 Thurs., Aug. 5 AUG 15 Fri., Aug. 20 SEP. 1 Fri., Sep. 3 SEP. 15 Fri., Sep. 17 OCT.1 Tues., Oct. 5 OCT. 15 SHELLY KENT CENTRAL PHONES 503-879-521 1 shelly.kentgrandronde.org I - I ( J JUSTIN PHILLIPS GRAPHIC DESIGNER 503-879-2190 justin.phillipsgrandronde.org A: p RON KARTEN STAFF WRITER 503-879-4663 ron.kartengrandronde.org TOBYMCCLARY PRODUCTION ASSISTANT I 503-879-1358 toby.mcclarygrandronde.org 1 t' life ' :"1"'J v A ' SANDY BOBB SECRETARY 503-879-1453 sandra.bobbgrandronde.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. Members of: Native American Journalists Association The Associated Press wwimat'iMm"1""
