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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2005)
NOVEMBER 1, 2005 Smoke Signals 5 Wednesday, September 28, 2005 ACTIONS continued from page 4 stated that Tribal Council Relations Coordinator Dakota Whitecloud is contacting previous council members and would be in touch shortly. Council is still looking into selecting members. LeLani Folden 1939 asked whether there were any plans to amend enrollment requirements. Chairwoman Kennedy advised that the council has selected the Enrollment Ad-Hoc committee members, who will advise the Tribal Council on possible changes to the Tribe's enrollment require ments. Council member Jack Giffen, Jr. stated that any language changes proposed will be brought before the general membership for con sideration. Val Grout 268: Acknowledged the large attendance of the member ship at the meeting and wished that all meetings could be attended so fully. Asked the council to consider sending a letter to the Tribal Elders reassuring that their pension funds are not being reduced, in light of the rumors. Referred to an e-mail drafted by a new Tribal member to the area which attacked what is being given to our Elders. Reminded those present that we need to respect our Elders for what they have done on behalf of the Tribe. Asked the council to consider honoring the family of Merle Leno 446 for all Merle's devoted efforts on behalf of the Tribe i.e. Pow-wow, Tribal Council, Advocate for Tribal Youth, etc. at the Resto ration Celebration on Sunday, November 20, 2005. Jolanda Catabay 3424 commented that not enough information avail able on prospective Tribal Council candidates. Ron Rife 2124: Asked that council member Chris Mercier would shut off his recording. Discussion followed. Council member Mercier volun teered to shut off his recording. Shared comments on the rumors regard ing reducing Per Capita. Discussion followed. Pam McDaniel 2579 asked if additional funding could be available to teach Tribal members. She was allegedly advised by the Education De partment that this year's funding was committed already. Discussion fol lowed. Council member Blackwell offered to work with Ms. McDaniel. Joyce Kirk 16: Advised that beading materials are available for classes, should an instructor be available. Commented on the rumors regarding reducing Per Capita, Elders Pension, etc. because we want someone council to listen to us. Charlotte Gray 1517 asked for a raise in Elders pension due to the cost of living expenses and that more staffing is needed on the floors of the casino to deliver beverages to patrons. Lori Walker 2273: Sought clarification of the hiring of landscape con tractors for Tribal property. Chairwoman Kennedy advised that the Tribe has a Tribal member preference hiring practice. General Manager Adams stated that the majority of the maintenance crew are Tribal members, however, the landscape contractors are overseen by the Housing Author ity. Housing Director Carina Kistler Ginter stated that HUD requires licensed and bonded contractors to work on HUD financed property. Housing Authority has hired two (2) Tribal members recently, who are in training and will be proposing another position in the 2006 budget. Asked for information about the Polk County Sheriff contract with the Tribe. Discussion followed. Council member Blackwell stated that a meet ing is being planned with Polk and Yamhill County Sheriffs and the Council to review the level of protection services to the Tribe. Would like the council to review Tribal Housing's Zero Direct Tolerance clause and remove the second chance option for Methamphetamine users, for in stance. Discussion followed. Terry Boerckel 1751: Shared comments regarding the appearance of the food service areas at Spirit Mountain Casino Coyote Buffet. Advised council that she would like to reach a person rather than voice messag ing when contacting Tribal programs. ' Marcellus Norwest Selwyn 1721 advised council that her granddaugh ter was not properly introduced at the Grand Ronde Pow-wow and asked that an apology be given. Council member Blackwell was sorry that this happened. Marcia Bolton 1187: Asked if the Tribe planning to build a museum and, if yes, when. Chairwoman Kennedy advised that no date had been set to build a museum. The council is currently looking to prioritize build ings new venues, like a museum. Announced that no funding for medi cal needs is available from Spirit Mountain Casino to help with her daughter's injury. "Tribal members are hurting." Asked if a way for Tribal youth to work along side security at the pow -wows could be ar ranged. Chairwoman Kennedy recalled an incident where Tribal youth were able to shadow security personnel. Council will look into the possi bility. Reported that Elders are not feeling secured when people are knocking on their doors. Asked that security be more aware of this ac tivity. B Yvonne Chapin, a non-Tribal member, sought permission to speak be fore the council. Hearing no objections from council, Chairwoman Kennedy permitted Ms. Chapin to speak. Asked that council not to con sider removing the second chance clause offered by Housing Authority. B Marilee Norwest 1530: Stated that a reduction in the Elder's pen sion would hurt the assistance she gives to her family. Asked if the Tribe consider funding, i.e. Elder car repairs? Announced she was one of sev eral Elders, whom recently travel to Warm Springs, which were not com fortable riding the oldersmaller van. Chairwoman Kennedy advised Ms. Norwest to contact the Elders Committee and share your concern on us ing the oldersmaller van. Asked if the Tribe ready in an emergency situ ation? Is grant assistance available to work on emergency response preparedness, i.e. ambulance response times. Chairwoman Kennedy iden tified that the council will be reviewing the proposed 2006 Tribal budget and will consider options. Commented that security needs to be enhanced in the Tribal housing areas. For instance, running through living areas and low lighting concerns. B Violet Folden 625 commented that during termination the Tribal mem bers went without. The Tribe survived. We need to come together as a community. B Lori Walker 2273 stated that she was given no second chance and has been sober for 21 years. " I did this on my own. I am concerned, that methamphetamine is being distributed, made, and that there is dump ing of chemicals in the Tribal wetlands. We need to remove the second chance clause from the Tribal Housing Authority." B Lottie Child 1695 commented on Spirit Mountain Casino's re-hire poli cies as they affect her daughter Brandy Sanchez 4899. Discussion fol lowed. Vice-Chair Blackwell advised that the SMGI Board of Directors raised the concern regarding their re-hire policy at their last board meet ing on September 26, 2005. Councilwoman Kennedy stated that council and the board will continue to look into the concern. B Wanda McCoy 996 is a recipient of the Starr Award Certificate for the last two years, having never missed a day of work and no complaints filed on her. A certificate was received, but wondered if an alternative award, for instance, a food coupon could be given. Thanked the Tribe for all of the funding benefits received. B Betty Bly 3544: Stated that the Tribe needs to better assist their members, to truly help them. Chairwoman Kennedy advised that the council is reviewing usage of the benevolence funds by Tribal members with the tiiought of enhancing or whereby more opportu nities for usage. Council member Leno stated that Tribal and grant dollars need to be separate. The Tribe has more flexibility over Tribal dollars. Discussion followed. Stated that council Mercier was record ing the Tribal Council meetings longer than has been elected Secre tary to the council. B Val Grout 268: Stated that employees need to be trained before place ment, not made to fail. Expressed concern over the handling of an em ployee after injury at Spirit Mountain Casino. Discussion followed. The employee is concerned over the wages lost while off work. Thanked Tribal member Buddy Haskins for helping our country as a Vietnam Veteran. B Charlotte Gray 1517 inquired as to the number of people suing the Tribe. Council Vice-Chair Blackwell advised that the records are avail able online or through Tribal Court. Staff Attorney Stephen Kelly ad vised that no specific statistics are available. Ms. Gray inquired of council member Tom whether she was suing the Tribe. Council mem ber Kathleen Tom stated no. B Kristy DeLoe 1513 expressed her thanks in educational assistance from the Tribe. Opportunities abound for Tribal members, just need to pursue them. B Council member Soderberg polled the council as to whether they had a relative receiving Tribal benefits. Therefore, no council member would harm their own family regarding Per Capita payments or other Tribal benefits per council member Soderberg. B Marilee Norwest 1530 asked when Tribal members would have legal representation available to them. Councilwoman Kennedy stated that the council is seriously taking this under consideration. B Pam McDaniel 2579 inquired as to whether the Tribe was consider ing transitional housing for its members and managed by the Tribe. Dis cussion followed. Councilwoman Kennedy advised that council will take this under consideration while reviewing the proposed 2006 Calendar Budget. B Council member Tom asked those present to sing "Happy Birthday" to Jack Giffen, Jr., who's birthday was today. B Marcellus Selwyn Norwest 1721 shared additional comments regard ing a proposal for transitional housing for Tribal members and one to be managed by the Tribe. B Karen Plunges 1117 shared comments on the well being of Tribal mem bers. "Ignore the family politics and offer compassion to those in need." B Maxine Rock 1173: Stated that she does not believe NARA is meet ing the needs of the Tribe's membership. Doctors here in the Clinic are doing a better job. Asked that the council consider more transportation options for it's members living in the Grand Ronde area. B Linda Olson 17: Thanked the efforts of who ever installed the card locks at the Health Clinic. The safety of the patients is improved. Shared concerns over an Indian Child Welfare worker handling of the legal is sues. A worker needs to know their abilities within the law and assist the family without hurting. The Tribe may want to pursue establishing a family or parent advocate for Tribal members. 8:10 p.m. Jan D. Reibach moved, Angie Blackwell seconded to ad journ the meeting.
