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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 2004)
2 SEPTEMBER 1, 2004 Smoke Signals To the Editor and Tribal family: Election time seems to bring out the best, and in some cases, the worst, in some of our people. Myself, I'm not what you'd call a political type; I'm more of a people person who will try to help others in any way I can, and look for the good that each of us possess. I don't think there is a one of us without some type of imperfection, but there are a few things I do know to be true! The positives in us tend to outweigh the negatives, and for my self, I don't really need anyone to point the negatives out to me (except our mom) because I am very aware of them and try hard to turn them in to positives. So, not to get into some long drawn out scenario, I only want our Tribal family to treat each other with love and respect in every walk of life the way our Creator meant it to be. Remember the saying. "Don't criticize your neighbor until you've walked a mile in his or her moccasins!" Also, please don't use another's heart as a stepping stone to climb the political ladder: use your own and I'm sure the journey will be much more satisfying. Sincerely, with love and respect to all, Jeanne L. Larsen Roll 416 To Smoke Signals' Editor: None of the letters I have received from the candidates list the positive actions they plan to take after election. The actions that would ensure an enduring future for the Tribe in relation to each other, the Grand Ronde community, the State of Oregon and the nation we live in. Instead the letters are filled with negative rhetoric I see in national cam paigns. "Vote for me or everything will fall apart." Because I do not live in the area, it is difficult to know what is meaningful and what isn't. There are two issues very important to me: 1. Is Smoke Signals being censored? I depend on our paper for my Tribal news. I want to think the issues are presented fairly. Yet some candidates say the paper is being censored. 2. Education. The Tribe has to have educated leaders to combat the threats to sovereignty that are intensifying. Leaders that are aware of state and national issues affecting the Native community. To obtain a college degree, certain math courses must be passed. I have heard that some otherwise successful students cannot pass math. I think the Tribe should have professional math tutors for students. The Public Education system has failed many by not addressing the steps needed to be successful in math. We have to have college educated mem bers, that is the reality. Scholarships and educational incentives are wonderful and a great start. But if Tribal students can't pass math, then more needs to be done. What about that new gymnasium? After school math and exercise programs are better than TV. Thank you to the Tribe. Thank you to my ancestors for their foresight, courage and resilience. May the best candidates win! Judith Pettibone Roll 717 Editor's note: Thank you for the opportunity to address this important issue the paper is not edited by the Tribal Council. It seems like every year another candidate builds their platform on saying that the paper is edited by the council and I want you to know that is not true. We focus on the positive aspects of the Tribe and our Tribal people and we do not report on any thing that would make the Tribe, its members or its elected leaders look bad. We believe that we are balancing the consistant negative press that the Tribe receives from the dominant culture media. We believe that is our job and we try to do it well. To be clear, the council never sees the paper before it goes to press I have never been asked to take the paper downstairs for their approval and further, the day that happens will be my last day on this job. When the Tribe first recruited me to leave college and be the editor of Smoke Signals, I struggled with the idea that we were not free to report everything that happens in the Tribe, but the wisdom of one of the most respected journalists in the history of Indian journalism the late Mr. Richard LaCourse who said we needed to do our best to make our people look good gave me peace with our role. When one of our Elders was arrested at the pow-wow a few years back we did not cover that story. We decided to protect that family and show respect to our Elder. When one of our new program directors recently asked to read a simple new employee feature before it went to press we refused. We are trying to be a newspaper and have the ideals that a newspaper has, but do it in a way that enhances the image of our people. Again, thank you for the opportunity to explain. Tribal offices will be closed half a day (1 p.m. to 5 p.m.) on Fri day, September 3 and all of Monday, September 6 in observance of Labor Day. mm PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347 1-800-422-0232 FAX: 503-879-2173 www.grandronde.org BRENT MERRILL PUBLIC INFORMATION MANAGEREDITOR 503-879-2321 brent, mmlllgrandronde.org JUSTIN PHILLIPS GRAPHIC DESIGNER 503-879-2190 lustln.phllllpsgrandrorKte.org Iff n 0 0 RON KARTEN STAFF WRITER 503-879-4663 ron.kartengrandronde.org DEADLINE DATE ISSUE DATE Fri.,Sep.3 SEP. IS Frl.,Sep. 17 OCT.l Tues.,Oct.5 OCT. IS Wed., Oct. 20 NOV.l Frl.,Nov.S NOV. 15 Wed., Not. 17 DEC. 1 Fri.,Dec.3 DEC. 15 Thurs., Dec. 16 JAN. 1, 2005 J TOBYMCCLARY PRODUCTION ASSISTANT I 503-879-1358 toby.mccljrygrandronde.org 4 f JACK HAM STUDENT INTERN 503-879-1416 lack. hamgrandronde.org n ' V PETATINDA PHOTOJOURNALIST 503-879-1463 peta.tlndagrandronde.org MARTY GEORGE PRODUCTION ASSISTANT II 503-879-1453 marty.georgegrandronde.org SHELLY KENT CENTRAL PHONES 503-879-521 1 shelly.kentgrandronde.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. I mjfekihm m kM m u j. wn 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 Journalists Association The Associated Press
