MARCH 1,2007
Smoke Signals 3
Children Sing, Dance Their Way Into Grand Ronde Hearts
By Siobhan Taylor
Cultures connected and hearts
filled with hope as the Watoto Chil
dren's Choir performed a free concert
in Grand Ronde on February 17.
The Saturday night free concert
was the brainchild of Tribal Council
member Wesley "Buddy" West.
West learned about the choir from
his sister who'd heard them per
form in Spokane. He was moved
by their story and the spirituality
they freely share. Wesl wanted to
help thei.'andvshare fcli'ir exubpf-.
ance wrttrr the entire Grand Rort'de, -West
Valley Community . .
"We all know that nil child reh in
iny country anywhere in the world
are precious and they're beautiful.
These children have had a lot of
suffering and grief in their. lives -.
but they have risen above it. And
they have dreams and they have
goals like all children. And, they
are working to attain those dreams
and those goals." West said.
"Watoto" means "the children."
The children are from Uganda.
They are all orphans as a result of
the AIDS epidemic or the war. The
group is sponsored by a Christian
organization, Watoto Child Care
Ministries, with offices in both the
U.S. and Canada. The organiza
tion uses the proceeds raised from
donations and sponsorships to build
v. the homes.trinifis, and Schools that
' serve the children who live in the
Watoto village. The mission of the
organization s'"to raise the next
generation of Ugandan leaders by;
placing parentless children in fami
; lies where the necessary love, care,'
spiritual discipleship and physical
heeds are provided." '
The evening's concert was an en-.
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ergetic one full of African rhythms,
and contemporary gospel music and
ethnic dance that had the audience
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jji
up and dancing. Tribal member
Dee West, in the front row, drew
smiles of appreciation from the chil
dren as she moved to their music.
"I just love to dance and I love these
children," she said.
A free will offering was collected
at the end of the program. The
audience dug deep and gave gener
ously as Tribal member and Public
Affairs Secretary Teri Mercier
helped pass the collection basket.
The program ended all too soon, but
the message of hope and love will
stay in the hearts of all who heard
them for a long time to come. Tribal
member Marcella Selwyn made
sure of it. She approached one of
the guardians with the group and
handed her a small, hand beaded
heart. "I told her I wanted to share
my heart with all of them, and that
I would keep them in my heart," she
said softly.
4 Tribal Council members Kathleen
Tom (I) and Wesley "Buddy" West
(fifth from left) pose with Grand
Ronde Veterans' Royalty and
members of the Watota Children's
Choir on Saturday, February 17.
Tribal Elders Celebrated
By Siobhan Taylor
Tribal Elders traveled from all around the Portland area and from
Grand Ronde to enjoy a luncheon in their honor at the Tribe's Portland
Office. The luncheon was hosted and prepared by staff from the Tribe's
Portland Office: Tribal members and staff members Jon George and
Lisa Archuleta, staff member Chris Garcia, Tribal member Greg Ar
chuleta and special helper Tribal member Kimberly LaBonte outdid
themselves for the event.
Love and appreciation for the honored Elders was displayed every
where, from the Valentine themed decorations to a large cake trimmed
in red roses that read: "Welcome Elders."
After a delicious meal of ham, Lisa Archuleta's secret recipe scal
loped potatoes, salads, Jon George's specialty cinnamon rolls and far
too many side dishes to list. The Elders listened as the staff welcomed
them and introduced themselves. Then, it was time for each Elder to
introduce themselves and share their Grand Ronde family history with
the assembled group.
The Elders returned the love and affection with high praise for the
meal and the hospitality from the Portland Office. One or two Elders
were seen teasing Tribal Council member Reyn Leno about his sweet
tooth as his hand occasionally wandered into the chocolates set about
the office. But even Reyn Leno was willing to pass on the chocolates
for a piece of lemon meringue pie.
As the afternoon came to a close, plans were being put in place for
next year's lunch. Family stories will again be shared and next year
they may even bring their photo albums for a "show-and-tell" of all their
family members.
At Portland Luncheon
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Tribal member and Portland Office Tribal Services Representative
Lisa Archuleta (r) helped prepare the meal for the Elders' Luncheon
in Portland. Tribal Council member Kathleen Tom was one of about
30 Tribal members in attendance.