Smoke Signals
2005 Candidate Statements
Editor's Note: Smoke Signals did not edit the 2005 Tribal Council Candidate Statements.
13 KathyTom
4 JULY 15, 2005
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Hello Tribal members,
I'm Kathleen Tom seeking your
vote to bring about positive
change. My family includes
Clinton Tom, Thomas Lawney,
Marceline Riggs, Caroline
LaBonte, Alex LaBonte, Susan
LaChance, Edmund Jeffers
and Clementine LaChance.
I'm a descendant of the
Shasta. Molalla Band of
Umpqua and the Mary's
River Kalapuya. In 1934 my Great Grandfather Bob Voutrin served
on Tribal Council, as did my father Leon "Chips" Tom. It is my de
sire to follow in my ancestor's footsteps.
Yes, challenges face our Tribe today Enrollment, Jobs,
Healthcare and Diversification are all key issues. There is no
long or short-term strategic plan. Ethics have disintegrated, spend
ing is out of control and Elders' pensions are at risk. Fixing such
problems will take time, but solutions are possible. However, it will
take leaders who are proactive and visionary. I can offer some so
lutions and that's why I've decided to run for Tribal Council.
Better communication at all levels is needed. Many members
have expressed a growing concern that our current leadership has
not focused on Tribal members' best interests. A fear exists that
our Tribe's stability has weakened and morale is suffering.
Complacency is not the answer! It is time your voice was heard
once again, time to join together and protect the interests of all
Tribal members. If elected I will promote equity of services for those
who live outside the six-county service area. I am confident that
we can make positive change that would benefit everyone. I pro
pose the following as solutions to bring about positive change:
Solution: Restore accountability, not just financial accountabil
ity, but accountability for maintaining higher standards of profes
sional conduct and behavior. It appears that the principles of honesty,
integrity, and stewardship have become a dimming light within the
chambers of the current leadership. We need to revitalize these ideals
and make them meaningful. Remember, Tribal Council members sit
in positions of public trust. Those holding these positions are placed
there to serve all members.
Solution: Work collaboratively with peers and Tribal members
to seek input from all stakeholders in developing a comprehensive
Tribal Revitalization & Improvement Plan (T.R.I.P.) containing both
short and long-range goals. This plan will become our "Road Map"
for achieving success. Having a well-thought out and publicized
strategy ensures that resources are focused only on those activi
ties that the Tribe deems important. Since Grand Ronde has lim
ited resources, it is critical that we follow our road map and achieve
objectives in a cost-effective manner. Without a road map, success
will be uncertain and our future course uncharted makes us vul
nerable. Solution: Work to build a consensus decision regarding Tribal en
rollment and annual per capita payments. I think some alternative
per capita payment distribution method should be considered. I will
work to implement other distribution options, i.e. monthly, quarterly
or semi-annually.
Everyone agrees that these topics are highly controversial. In
evitably an acceptable outcome will be one requiring compromise.
It is critical for the sake of future generations that these matters
get resolved and the enrollment Ad-hoc committee is the first step.
Solution: Employment training division, that meets the needs
of our membership, and the growth of the Tribe we need to better
prepare our members for the competitive job market.
We are ready to stand up for the Tribe's best ideals, ready for
positive leadership that will bring positive change. It's critical for
the Tribe to have leaders who are willing to work towards build
ing a financially healthy Tribe, one that we can all be proud of.
United we can accomplish great things together.
Thank you for your vote.
Kathleen Tom
503-999-9177
www.grand-ronde.com
e-mail: delatecomcast.net
L-.-K cri tr, JO v -
0 Bernadine Shriver
My name is Bernadine Shriver. I
live in Gresham, Oregon. My great
grandparents were Frank and Mary
Ann Michelle. My grandparents were
Ethel Michelle and Irving Tom. My
mother was Hazel Tom. My children
are Lisa Adams, Greg, Baxter and
Jim Archuleta. My husband,
Doug, and I own and oper
ate a Wholesale Tree
Nursery and a U-Cut
Christmas Tree Farm.
I have served on the Tribal Health Committee for a number of years.
I also am a delegate to the Northwest Area Indian Health Board, which
represents 43 Tribes in the Northwest.
I am running for Tribal Council because I believe we should have
Tribal Representation from all different areas. I want to continue to
reach out to all of our people everywhere. As a Tribal member, I want
to preserve the culture, heritage and integrity of our Tribe and to pass
these on to our children's children. This is something I believe all of
Tribal member want to see. We need to preserve our relationships
with other Tribes. We cannot allow others to cause distrust among us
and threaten our Tribal Sovereignty. Now more than ever before we
need to stand together, we need to put aside our differences for the
good of our Tribe.
As all of you know there is a lot of work ahead for the Tribal Coun
cil. They have many important issues to focus on. There are enroll
ment issues to be settled. There are issues that could impact Tribal
gaming revenues. We need to be prepared. We need to continue to
look at long-term health care for Tribal members everywhere. There
are decisions to be made about the Adult Foster Care Home and how
it should be operated. The Tribal Administration needs to be reviewed
at every level. The Health Clinic needs to be redesigned to truly meet
the needs of our Tribal members. It needs to be what you, our tribal
members, envisioned.
We must always be watchful of the Tribal investments, our trust
funds and any other revenue the Tribe receives, making sure that they
are protected and preserved. I would like to have an Elder Abuse
Code adopted. Our Tribal Elders should always be treated with re
spect and dignity. They should always feel secure and protected. I
would like to have more activities for youth. We need greater sup
port for Tribal members and their families seeking access to A & D
and mental health treatment, those in recovery and those coming out
of jail or prison. They and their families need all the help and sup
port that we can provide. We need greater employment opportuni
ties for Tribal members.
In summary, I want to preserve what are ancestors left us and to
keep adding on to that legacy. I believe each and every one of us has
something positive to contribute to our Tribe. All of us can continue
to build and strengthen our Tribe at every level. We must keep our
eyes on the road ahead always focusing on the future. Please share
your vision with me at shriverfortcmsn.com.
Best wishes to all,
Bernadine Shriver
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