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