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.
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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.
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