Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 2008)
2 AUGUST 1,2008 Smoke Signals Contest Powwow vendor information If you are interested in being a vendor for the Grand Ronde Annual Contest Powwow, Aug. 15-17, 2008, contact Shannon Simi or Dana Ainam at 1-800-242-8196 to request an application. NOTICE Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Meetings DATE TIME Wednesday, Aug. 13 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 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. itenrere Dear Tribal Members, Many of you recently received a letter that contained information about some of our family members that work for the Tribal government. First and foremost we would like to say thank you to all of the Tribal members and their families that have come forward to offer their support for Reyn and our fam ily. This positive outpouring of support has somehow pushed out the cloud of negativity that surrounds this type of behavior. We are not writing this letter to defend ourselves as we do not believe we have anything to defend against. The purpose of this letter is to clear up some misinformation and highlight some additional information about our family. We as a family are very proud of what we have accomplished. We strive to contribute to the many positive things that happen within our Tribe. We believe the best way to contribute is by working for our government and tak ing on appointments for various boards, committees and commissions. As a family we believe in a strong work ethic and value education. When the Tribe was terminated in 1954, many of our family members, as well as a few other large families, remained in the Grand Ronde area. When the Tribe was restored in 1983, many of us were still here and it only makes sense that as the Tribe grew we all saw an opportunity to contribute. When many of us began working for the Tribe we were in the cemetery offices, depot building, manor or modulars. We were certainly not in the new offices you see today. Office spaces were cramped, and we were often performing job du ties of several different positions. Of the family members listed in the letter, approximately 12 of us had worked for the Tribe on one occasion or another prior to Reyn's election to Tribal Council in 1996. Some of us have worked for the organization for 16, 17, 18 years. Some of the younger members of our family left the area to earn a formal education even before trust funds and education funds were as plentiful as today. Some of us are still paying on student loans. With respect to the fam ily members listed in the letter, we are proud to report that we hold three doctorate of law degrees, two master's degrees, seven bachelor's degrees and one associate degree. Many others have taken college courses and specialized training that has contributed immensely to their positions. All but four of the family members on the list are also Tribal members. The nonTribal members are family, spouses, parents of Tribal members, etc. Isn't that what a Tribe is all about? If we were not in these positions the Tribe would be paying out the same amount in salaries to someone else. It is not as though the Tribe would be saving the inflated amounts stated in the letter. The Tribe employs more than 400 employees and our family members represent a small percentage of those positions. However, we believe we are qualified for the positions we hold and have earned the positions in compli ance with all employee policies. Many of our family members also have taken on the task of serving on a Tribal board, committee or the Gaming Commission. We take on these roles in addition to our full-time jobs. Most of the meetings are in the evenings after work hours. It is yet another way to contribute to all the positive things we see happening for our Tribe, but it is also a lot of work. There is a requirement that staff members cannot serve on more than two committees. Contrary to information provided in the letter, none of the members of our family are out of compliance with the current policy. We as a family are proud to work for our Tribal government and will always be. No amount of letter writing andor smear campaigning will change that. Thanks again for all the phone calls and support. Angela Fasana, Roll 02170; Liz Leno; Shonn Leno. Roll 2172; Egypt Leno; Darlcne Aaron. Roll 134: Lonnie Leno, Roll 935; Barbara Steere, Roll 10 19; Russell Leno, Roll 155; Gregg Leno. Roll 1 181; Kelly Herber; Hrianna Leno. Roll 932; Dcnise Harvey, Roll 1871; Sean Beauchamp, Roll 3120; Chris Leno. Roll 1 617; Shannon Brown. 2178; Dana (Leno) Ainam. Roll 1050; and Brandy Lno. Roll 931. (Some additional member a of the family uere unavailable for 'signature, but concur u ith the contenta of thia letter.) See page 1 1 for more letters. Correction) A utory thnt appeared in the July 15 special ncction nlMHit the 2008 Vclfrnns' Powwow incorrectly reported the location of Hill 327 in Vietnam. The correct location was l)n Nang. Tribal Council candidate I.nrry Ristecn. fi.j, nlio nhould have been identified as n Tribal Klder in the July 15 edition story about 13 Tribal members vying for Tribal Council seats. Smoke Signala regrets the errors. M0C All requests for members of the Grand Ronde Honor Guard are to be made in writing and sent to Steve Rife, Chairman, Veterans' Special Event Board, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347. For questions, call Rife at 503-917-1084. PUBLICATIONS OFFICE 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347 1-800-422-0232, FAX: 503-879-2173 www.grandronde.org SIOBHAN TAYLOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR 503-879-1 920 sloblun.uylorgrandrondc.org SCARLETT HOLTZ PUBLICATIONS SECRETARY 503-879-1453 Karleo.hohztrjindronde.org GEORGE VALDEZ GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALIST 503-879-1416 george.v4ldezKrandronde.org CARLA ROBERTS CENTRAL PHONES 503-879-1447 caru.robertsgrandrondt.org KRISTEN RAVIA PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECRETARY 503-879-1418 krtsten.ravlagrandronde.org JUSTIN PHILLIPS PAGE DESIGNER 503-879-2190 Jusdn.pMUIpsgrandronde.org MICHELLE ALAIMO PHOTOJOURNALIST 503-879-1961 mkhelle.alalmograndronde.org DEAN RHODES PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR 503-879-1463 dean.rhcniwgrandronde.org RON KARTEN STAFF WRITER 503-879-4663 ron.kartengrandronde.org SHELLY KENT CENTRAL PHONES 503-879-5211 shelly . kentgrandronde.org DEADLINE PATE ISSUE PATE Tuesday, Aug. 5 AUG. 15 Wednesday, Aug. 20 SEPT.: 1 Friday, Sept. 5 SEPT. 15 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 Cheryle A. Kennedy Tribal Chairwoman - ext. 2352 cheryle.kennedyKrandronde.org D Reyn Leno Tribal Vice Chair - ext. 2399 reyn.lenograndronde.org lack Giffen Jr. Tribal Secretary - ext. 2306 lack. giffengrandronde.org Steve Bobb Sr. -ext. 2353 steve.bobbgrandronde.org Chris Mercler ext. 2305 chrls.merclergrandronde.org Wink Soderberg ext. 1444 wInk.soderberggrandronde.org Kathleen Tom ext. 1777 kathleen.tomgrandronde.org June Sell-Sherer ext. 2300 lune.sherergrandronde.org Valorie Sheker -ext. 2355 val.shekergrandronde.org
