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.
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PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
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1-800-422-0232 FAX: 503-879-2173
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BRENT MERRILL
PUBLIC INFORMATION
COORDINATOREDITOR
503-879-2321
brent.merrillgrandronde.org
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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.
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