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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (April 15, 2005)
APRIL 15, 2005 MOCC MAIL A Publication of the Grand Rondo Tribe www.grandronde.org face Governor Changes The Of Indian Gaming In Oregon Ted Kulongoski approves Warm Springs' off-reservation casino in Columbia Gorge's Cascade Locks. By Ron Karten "I think because our need is so great, we have to be optimistic," said Rudy Clements, Board Chair of Kah-Nee-Ta High Desert Resort and Casino and Tribal Relations Director for the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs. He was describing the Tribe's chances of getting federal approval for the amended compact between the State of Oregon and the Con federated Tribes of the Warm Springs. The amended compact opens up Tribal gaming off Reser vation to the Warm Springs Tribes but raises questions of sovereignty and fairness to the state's other eight federally recognized Tribes. "What we're reading in the news paper," said one Tribal leader, not from the Grand Ronde, who de clined to speak for attribution, "the concessions that were made are an absolute attack on Tribal sover eignty." "I think what we're doing here is employing our sovereignty," said Clements, "using it in a good way for our people. We're using our sov ereignty in a very positive way to benefit our people." The amended compact allows the Warm Springs the state's first off- reservation Tribal casino. Though the deal must still be approved by the Department of the Interior, the proposed site is on industrial lands in Cascade Locks, a town of down wardly spiraling economic fortunes that has welcomed this facility. It is expected to provide more around 1,200 jobs and annual sales possi bly as high as $200 million for the area. In exchange for the right to build the new facility, according to a press release from the Governor's office, the Warm Springs have agreed to: Pay 17 percent of gross revenues to an entity created to collect the money, the Oregon Benefit Fund (OBF), managed by an indepen dent board. Up to 10 percent of the money will be used for environmen tal purposes in the Columbia River Gorge. Five percent may be used for economic development. The re mainder, 85-90 percent, will go to direct student assistance for post secondary education in the state. Pay six percent of net income from the casino into a newly cre ated Tribal Community Benefit Fund to be used primarily for gen eral charitable purposes, similar to Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon 961 5 Grand Ronde Road Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347 PRESORTED FIRST-CLASS MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID SALEM. OR PERMIT NO. 178 OR NEWSPAPER PRO J. UO LIBRtfRV SYSTEM FRE iS99 UNIVERSITY OF OREGON EUGENE OR 97403-1205 'N ) ft 7 I fcHif Promise Keeper? Governor Ted Kulongoski, shown during his inaugura tion when he promised to keep a level playing field for Tribal gaming among the nine federally recognized Oregon Tribes. Many are now wondering whether that level playing field has been tipped, and how they will provide for their members. the Grand Ronde Tribe's Spirit Mountain Community Fund. Allow employees union represen tation. Transfer to the state four par cels of Tribal land just outside of the City of Hood River. Forever restrict use of a fifth parcel of land. Relinquish forever any legal claim to a portion of the Historic Columbia River Highway that runs through the Tribe's Hood River See GOVERNOR on page 8 Elder Care Homes Set for Summer Completion Master plan tackles many potential flashpoints. By Ron Karten Currently a full month ahead of schedule, the latest Tribal construc tion project is on the way to fulfill ing its promise to provide Grand Ronde's Tribal Elders with the most accommodating digs that the indus try knows how to build. Groundbreaking last November opened the door to assisted living facilities that include three build ings, each designed to serve five Elders and possibly their spouses or other caregivers where appropriate (Tribal Council will make this deci sion). In late spring or early summer, the Tribe will begin construction for a separate project, a community center that when completed, will bring the Tribe to the Elders, as Duane Hussey said. Hussey is Tribal Housing Authority Develop ment and Construction Coordina tor. The cost for the complete construc- See HOMES on page 6 Inside Pullout Chinookans Traditional Plankhouse Ceremony li ft, 4 Km T
