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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2004)
2 DECEMBER 1, 2004 Smoke Signals Dear Readers, My first few months in office have been dedicated to acclimating myself to this new and challenging role. I want to thank everyone that participated in the election this year and encourage even more Tribal members to get involved next year. As I have stated before, communication is a primary concern of mine. In the short term, availability and accessibility are two steps that I will personally take to set the stage for open communication. To start with, I will set up consis tent "available hours " that are reserved solely for interacting with Tribal mem bers. I will still be in the office every week-day during normal business hours, however, most of this time is spent in executive briefings, department and com mit' updates, planning sessions, etc., making it difficult for the membership to speak to council members directly. Initially, these "available hours" will be Monday through Thursday from 8:15 to 9: 15 and Fridays from 3:30 to 4:30. Our meetings are not typically scheduled during these hours, so I do not anticipate scheduling conflicts. During this time, I am free to meet with you in person, on the phone or via e-mail, free of interrup tions or conflicting meetings. The only exception will be those days in which I am on travel status or vacation. My phone number and e-mail address is listed, along with the rest of council, in this edition of Smoke Signals. As I said, these measures are only one piece of my long-term communication plans. I don't expect immediate results and I hope that you will be patient as the various pieces are put into place. With respect and gratitude, Angle Blackwell Roll 1089 Dear Smoke Signals, I would like to thank the Tribal members for honoring me with a jacket and the plaque. I was surprised by the gifts. The kindness means a lot to me. I want to say thank you to the past council for showing me respect and I wanted to say good luck to the new council. Russ Leno Roll 455 Dear Smoke Signals, Hi all out there, it's me again. I haven't written for a long time. I've missed doing it. With Restoration just recently, I just got to thinking how many will stop to give thanks to God for making it all possible for us. To our Elders, who devoted so many years of hard work and believed so strongly that all this was possible, some have passed on. We will always remember them and thank them for believing in what they were doing and stayed with it through the hard days and all. Most of the Elders who started out are gone now but worked hard and believed in one another and all pulled together as one. Trusting in one another, talking things over with one another, knowing that what they were doing was for all of us and ours yet to come. To show the world we could govern ourselves and we have it means looking after each other, we are our own people. There will be many things we disapprove of but talking it over among our selves and the Elders is the only way to solve any problems. Put your faith in our people again it will all come out fine. Most anything worth anything is worth fighting for. I do know that the Elders, who have gone on ahead of us must be very proud. If God lets them have a glimpse of us he must say "LOOK, be proud of your children." I know I'm very proud of our Tribe, that has worked so hard and so faithfully to get us where we are today. I know we all fall and stumble some time. Be glad that was a lesson learned. Take a look around and see what is going on around you. Look to the heavens and thank God he's among us where he's always been. As for myself, I deeply appreciate each and every one for all they have done. Perhaps it's because I'm getting older that I can see what is back behind us and s appreciate all the wonderful things happening around me now. Again, I want to say thanks to each and every one who has made it this way. May God Bless you all and have a Merry Christmas, Geneva M. Handsaker Roll 64 Dear Editor, I wanted to take a moment and express my sincere appreciation to all of the fine individuals who work for our Tribe. I live in California, yet through the efforts of yourself and your fine staff, I am able to stay informed about the important aspects of our affairs in Oregon through the "Smoke Signals." It seems that when times have been most difficult, a check comes in the mail. I know that being able to have a rewarding Holiday season and a solid financial foundation to start a new year has been a tremendous support to all of us. Now comes news of our improved health benefits and daily, we see jobs for Tribal members advertised. Recently, my dream of owning a home came true because of the assistance I received through our Housing Authority Grants. Not only did the down payment (assistance program) make it possible, but the individu als that worked with me were incredible and made it happen. I know that we are a proud people and I am grateful for what God has given to us. My sincere thanks to everyone and may the new year be gentle and rewarding. Tim Culbertson Roll 2141 7th Annual "Shop With The Sheriff" Saturday, December 11, 2004 DALLAS WAL-MART 8 a.m. Tribal Council and Polk County Sheriffs will be shopping with local youths. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347 1-800-422-0232 FAX: 503-879-2173 www.grandronde.org Ifffl BRENT MERRILL PUBLIC INFORMATION MANAGEREDITOR 503-879-2321 brem.merrillgrandronde.org (km JUSTIN PHILLIPS GRAPHIC DESIGNER 503-879-2190 lustin.phlllipsgrandronde.org DEADLINE DATE ISSUE DATE Fri.,Dec.3 DEC. 15 Thurs.,Dec. 16 JAN. 1 2005 DEADLINE DATE ISSUE DATE Wed., Jan. 5 JAN. 15 Fri., Jan. 21 FEB. 1 Fri.,Feb.4 FEB. 15 Fri., Feb. 18 MAR. 1 Fri., Mar. 4 MAR. 15 Fri., Mar. 18 APR. 1 Mon., Apr. 4 APR. 15 Wed., Apr. 20 MAY. 1 Fri., May 6 MAY. 15 Fri., May 20 JUNE 1 Mon., June 6 JUNE 15 Fri., June 17 JULY 1 Tues., July 5 JULY 15 Wed., July 20 AUG.l SHELLY KENT CENTRAL PHONES 503-879-521 1 shelly.kentgrandronde.org RON KARTEN STAFF WRITER 503-879-4663 ron.kartengrandronde.org 7 A) TOBYMCCLARY PRODUCTION ASSISTANT I 503-879-1358 toby.mcclarygrandronde.org '' ' r isse". f A x PETATINDA PHOTOOURNALIST 503-879-1463 peta.tindagrandronde.org MARTY GEORGE PRODUCTION ASSISTANT II 503-879-1453 marty.georgegrandronde.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 requested. 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
