2 FEBRUARY 1,2008
Smoke Signals
Departments nrcovDmcj
to casino expansion
Spirit Mountain Casino's Human Resources Department and the Grand
Ronde Gaming Commission are scheduled to move to the second floor of
the new south expansion Events Center building behind Spirit Mountain
Lodge in February. Because of the move, both departments will be closed
to the public on Friday, Feb. 22, and Monday, Feb. 25. The departments
will re-open on Tuesday, Feb. 26.
For more information, call Daphney Colton, Recruitment and Employee
Relations manager, at 503-879-3025.
NOTICE Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Meetings
DATE TIME
Wednesday, Feb. 13 5 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 27 5 p.m.
Please note that these times and dates are subject to change if needed. Call Dakota
Whitecloud, Tribal Council Relations Coordinator, at 503-879-1309 to confirm.
Dear Smoke Signals:
I would like to thank everyone involved in my "Indian Taco Fundraiser."
Thank you kitchen staff for all your hard work and thank you to everyone
for all your help!
Sincerely,
Butch Lillard & Family
Dear Tribal Members:
I am writing this letter to give you some of my thoughts on the upcom
ing constitutional amendments and to make you think before you cast
your vote.
First, I wanted to address this talk of "split families." What is a split
family? Is it a family where not all members of the family have an enroll
ment number? I do not think so. Tribal families have survived for many
generations regardless of whether they had roll numbers or not.
Many of our Tribal members have married non-Tribal members, adopted
children who are not eligible for enrollment and have siblings who are
not enrolled in the Tribe. Are they then considered split families? Are we
going to be asked to remedy that problem in the future?
Just because certain members of a family are not enrolled in the Tribe
does not mean that the family is "split." They are still a family unit regard
less of who has a roll number.
The Tribe does not prohibit non-members from attending and partici
pating in Tribal functions, such as pow-wow and celebrations, so I have a
hard time understanding how non-member Tribal descendants are denied
their heritage.
Secondly, I want to ask a question that has not seemed to have been
addressed, which is what will happen to our endowment funds? With the
increase in enrollment, will our endowments need additional time to be
come fully funded and will we need to open up those that are fully funded
and add additional funds? Does this somehow jeopardize our financial
stability?
Thirdly, I want to encourage people to give some attention and focus to
the current Tribal members, many of whom are children who are already
enrolled. A lot of focus and attention has been given to children who are not
eligible for enrollment, but we also need to be the voice for those children
who are enrolled and protect them as well.
Lastly, I wanted to address the idea that this amendment will only have
short-term consequences. That is simply not true. If something as impor
tant as "Grand Ronde blood" is redefined as proposed, the impact will reach
far into the future and affect everyone for many generations to come.
I urge you to carefully consider all possible aspects of each of the three
amendments proposed and vote with seven generations in mind.
Larry Brandon
Roll 1214
See page 10 for more letters.
Correction In the Jan. 1 issue of Smoke Signals, it was incorrectly
reported that Tribal Elder Charlotte Gray is living with her brother in Tribal
housing. In fact, she was only visiting. Smoke Signals regrets the error.
All Tribal offices will be closed on Monday, Feb. 18, in observance of
Presidents' DayTribal Chiefs' Day.
Attention Tribal members
2008 GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE
B Sunday, Feb. 10 11 a.m.
Monarch Hotel & Conference Center
12566 S.E. 93rd Ave.
Clackamas, OR 97015
Exit 14 Sunnyside RdSunnybrook Blvd. off of 1-205
PUBLICATIONS OFFICE
9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347
1-800-422-0232, FAX: 503-879-2173
www.grandronde.org
DEADLINE DATE ISSUE DATE
Tuesday, Feb. 5 FEB. 15
Wednesday, Feb. 20 MAR. 1
Wednesday, Mar. 5 MAR. 1 5
Thursday, Mar. 20 APR. 1
SIOBHAN TAYLOR
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
DIRECTOR
503-879-1920
skbhan.taytorgrandronde.org
JUSTIN PHILLIPS
PAGE DESIGNER
503-879-2190
Kisdn.philllpsKrandronde.org
SHELLY KENT
CENTRAL PHONES
503-879-5211
shelly.kentgrandronde.org
KRISTEN RAVIA
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
SECRETARY
503-879-1418
kristen.ravtagrandronde.org
RON KARTEN
STAFF WRITER
503-879-4663
ron.karcengrandronde.org
CAR LA ROBERTS
CENTRAL PHONES
503-879-1447
caria.robertsgrandronde.org
DEAN RHODES
PUBLICATIONS
COORDINATOR
503-879-1463
dean.rhodesgrandronde.org
GEORGE VALDEZ
GRAPHIC DESIGN
SPECIALIST
503-879-1416
george.valdezgrandronde.org
SMOKE SIGNALS, a publication of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Com
munity of Oregon, is published twice a month. No portion of this publication may be reprinted
without permission.
Our editorial policy is Intended to encourage Input from Tribal members and readers
about stories printed In the Tribal newspaper. However, all letters received must be
signed by the author, an address must be given and a phone number or e-mail address
must be Included for verification purposes. Full addresses and phone numbers will not
be published unless requested.
SMOKE SIGNALS reserves the right to edit letters and to refuse letters that are determined
to contain libelous statements or personal attacks on Individuals, staff, Tribal administration
or Tribal Council. Not all letters are guaranteed publication upon submission. Letters to the
editor are the opinions and views of the writer. Published letters do not necessarily reflect
the opinions of SMOKE SIGNALS, Tribal staff, Tribal administration or Tribal Council.
Members of: Native American Journalists Association
The Associated Press
Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association
2008 Tribal Council
1-800-422-0232 councilgrandronde.org
a Cheryle Kennedy
Tribal Chairwoman
ext. 2352
cheryle.kennedygrandronde.org
Reyn Leno
Tribal Vice Chair
ext. 2399
reyn.lenograndronde.org
Jack Giffen Jr.
Tribal Secretary
ext. 2306
lack.glffengrandronde.org
D Sceve Bobb Sr.
ext. 2353
steve.bobbgrandronde.org
Chris Mercier
ext. 2305
chris.merciergrandronde.org
Wink Soderberg
ext. 1444
wlnk.soderberggrandronde.org
D Kathleen Tom
ext. 1 777
kathleen.tomgrandronde.org
D June Sell-Sherer
ext. 2300
une.sherergrandronde.org
D Valorie Sheker
ext. 2355
val.shekergrandronde.org