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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (April 1, 2006)
Smoke Signals 5 APRIL 1,2006 Wednesday, February 22, 2006 ACTIONS continued from page 4 OTHER BUSINESS Linda Olson 17 made the following remarks: 1. Asked for clarifica tion of the Chemawa joint property held with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and raised concerns whether the venture will be beneficial to the membership as an economic venue. Discussion followed. 2. Asked the status of the Cherry City Mall property. Finance Officer Larry Kovach advised that the mall is 84 full and have replaced the anchor store. 3. Raised concerns that the Cherry City Mall property is not promoted enough by the Tribe to encourage buyers. Vice-Chair Blackwell advised that the Tribe is not invested in the businesses only the leasing of the building(s). Michael Bolton 4762 asked whether this is the same strip mall that the Tribe planned to sell previously. Finance Officer Larry Kovach advised that the Tribe is working towards the buildings being fully leased. Once fully leased the Tribal Council will review whether to continue leasing the space or to sell. Charlotte Gray 1517 made the following remarks: 1. Expressed her thanks to the members of council who attended the last potluck at the Eu gene Satellite office and there are plans to hold another potluck on March 10,2006. 2. Raised a concern over the signage placed viewed when driving on Grand Ronde road and inquired whether council could direct its removal. Vice-Chair Blackwell advised that the signage is on private property not owned by the Tribe or in trust for the Tribe. Therefore, the council has no ability to request the signage be removed. Michael Bolton 4762 asked that each council member consider whether the council is working together on Tribal issues and whether their campaign platform(s) have been accomplished. 1. Vice-Chair Blackwell stated that there had been frank discussions and disagreements on issues. The council has had key successes, also, in areas of communication. There is a new newspaper with articles drafted by council members and the web site is under development to raise the level of communication to members outside of the Grand Ronde area. 2. Wink Soderberg stated that more information is gradually coming available to the membership. 3. Reyn Leno stated that he takes, in all information received and makes the best possible decision for the benefit of the whole Tribe. There are nine individual council mem bers making those decisions and stated that he agreed with Vice-Chair Blackwell's statement that amongst council there are frank discussions and disagreements on issues. The council needs to be leaders not a group of leaders. 4. Chris Mercier stated that there is room for some improvement in communications to the membership. The membership needs a way for more timely information and the web development may be one solution. 5. Jack Giffen, Jr. stated that he views the role of council to hear the voices of the membership. This year the council has expanded the Membership Community Meetings to five. Make decisions on knowledge and voice of the membership, still there is a long way to go. 6. Wesley "Buddy" West stated that his campaign issues have amended since elected to council as there are more known concerns surrounding any one issue. The council is starting to work more as one, however, council doesn't always agree. Council members need to give as well as listen and see from the other person's view. Communication needs to broaden and the Tillicum Talk is one method. 7. Kathleen Tom stated that it is early yet in her term to accomplish items campaigned upon. She is in staunch support of a transparent Government, no secrets, and all publications open. The new web design will provide more information to the membership. Commented on her working relationship with other council. She enjoys coming to work and getting the job done. 8. Angie Blackwell stated additional achievements by council as follows: Increased community meetings, off-site General Council meetings, council as liaisons to Committees and Special Event Board, established the Ethics Task Force, appointed the Enrollment Requirements Ad-Hoc Committee, strategic planning underway by council and allowance for membership to have a voice and make Tribal decisions Bud White 850 asked what the attendance was at the Portland General Council membership meetings on Sunday, February 12, 2006, in Portland, Oregon. Approximately 122 were in attendance. Primary concerns of the membership were obtaining services outside of Grand Ronde per council member Wesley "Buddy" West. Val Grout 268 remarked on the following: 1. Commented that council needs to communicate with the membership on all of our services available to them. In addition, be sure to advise that the Federal Government named the six county service areas; it was not determined by the Tribe. 2. Raised concerns over letter commenting that the benefits received by the Tribal Elders in Grand Ronde over what is received by those outside of the area. Discussion followed. Ms. Grout stated that you have a choice to come home (Grand Ronde). Many of the Tribal elders, who aided in restoration efforts for instance, should benefit from their efforts. Charlotte Gray 1517 asked that the council look to expanding the satellite office space in Eugene. All Tribal members are welcome to avail themselves of services and activities. The web page lists events held at the satellite office both in Eugene and Portland. Maxine Rock 1173 asked that consideration be made for a potluck here in Grand Ronde to show appreciation to local Tribal residents. Linda Olson 17 remarked on the following: 1. Raised concerns over a comment made to her by the General Manager of Spirit Mountain Casino Randy Dugger regarding the closure of the Bingo Hall. 2. Sought clarifi cation of the role of the Tribal Council Relations Coordinator's position. Vice-Chair Blackwell stated that Ms. Whitecloud position is as coordinator to the council and she doesn't speak for the Council. A member can bring a request to council and council will determine the appropriate party to hear the concern. For instance, the meeting could be set with the Tribal Council, Executive Team, General Manager andor Division ManagersStaff. Each request will be considered case by case. Council member Soderberg announced that Kathy Soderberg, Dee West and Anna White have started a new to you clothing shop for the com munity located out of the "Old Food Bank" building. Asked that members help to supply clothes for usage by those in need. Michael Bolton 4762 stated that the usage of the phrase "customer service" is not appropriate in Tribal venues and asked for Council's support to organize membership functions. Vice-Chair Blackwell offered that the membership needs to pull together and organize activities. One event com ing up is a Tribal Round Dance scheduled May 19-20, 2006 here in Grand Ronde. More information to follow. Michael Mahony 4865 stated that not all Tribal members have ac cess to the web. Public Affairs Director, Siobhan Taylor stated that the Tribe is mailing out information via the Tribal newspaper, Smoke Signals, twice monthly. There will be news articles included from the Portland and Eugene satellite offices. Recently, the council has directed that a monthly newsletter titled Tillicum Talk be created and the articles are written by members of council. Maxine Rock 1173 asked that news covered be only about the Grand Ronde area. Bob Tom 253 raised concern over usage of the words "potluck" and "potlatch" in conversations. These words should not be used interchange ably, one for the other. The word "potlatch" has bearing into cultural traditions. Val Grout 268 stated that Siobhan Taylor, Public Affairs Director, could help motivate the membership here in Grand Ronde, with what I can give.. .not what I am going to get. In addition, the youth need to interact regularly with the Tribal Elders to have continuance of traditional learn ing. Chris Olson 2038 asked whether the council was aware no archeologi cal site visits are being monitored by the Tribe. Acting Culture Resources Manger, Tony Johnson, stated there is an on going effort to monitor these sites daily. Permits are reviewed accordingly. Discussion followed. Mr. Olson raised a personal grievance matter, which Vice-Chair Blackwell stated that a public forum is not appropriate venue to hear this concern. Vice-Chair Blackwell direct that a job posting is completed by Friday, February 24, 2006, regarding vacant positions in the Cultural Resources Department. 6:20 p.m. Reyn Leno moved, Wesley "Buddy" West seconded to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Wednesday, March 1, 2006 Special Tribal Council Meeting 11:05 a.m. Meeting was called to order by Tribal Council Vice-Chair, Angie Blackwell. A quorum was present. Present was Angie Blackwell, Chris Mercier, Wink Soderberg, Kathleen Tom and Wesley "Buddy" West. Excused was Jack Giffen, Jr., Cheryle Kennedy, Reyn Leno and Jan D. Reibach (all on travel status). Invocation was done by Dakota Whitecloud. NEW BUSINESS General Council Meeting Sunday, March 5, 2006, Agenda Items Program Report: MentorshipLewis & Clark ExhibitionWorkforce De velopment Door Prizes $250 (1 at $100 and 3 at $50) By full consensus of council the General Council meeting, Sunday, March 5, 2006, agenda items are approved. LEGISLATIVE ACTION COMMITTEE ANA Language 2006 Grant Application. Wink Soderberg moved, Wesley "Buddy" West seconded to a adopt Resolution No. 044-06: 1) approving ap plication to the Administration for Native Americans for a Category II $525,000 Native Language Preservation and Maintenance Grant for language program design and implementation; 2) committing a total of $131,364 in matching funds over three years from a combination of in-kind staff time and volunteer time and from the application of a reduced indirect rate of 39.6 with the $55,734 balance of indirect on grant direct cost items to be provided by Tribal contingency; and 3) authorizing the Tribal Council Chairwoman or, in her absence, the Vice-Chair to execute documents for this application and associated funding and that they or their designees may negotiate on behalf of the Tribe. Discussion followed. Mo tion carried 4-0-0. 11:22 a.m. Wesley "Buddy" West moved, Wink Soderberg seconded to adjourn meeting. Motion carried.
