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
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Tues., July 5 JULY 15
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SHELLY KENT
CENTRAL PHONES
503-879-521 1
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RON KARTEN
STAFF WRITER
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ron.kartengrandronde.org
7 A)
TOBYMCCLARY
PRODUCTION
ASSISTANT I
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'' '
r isse". f
A x
PETATINDA
PHOTOOURNALIST
503-879-1463
peta.tindagrandronde.org
MARTY GEORGE
PRODUCTION
ASSISTANT II
503-879-1453
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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
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