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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2009)
2 JUNE 1,2009 Smoke Signals NOTICE Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Meetings DATE TIME Wednesday, June 3 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 17 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. 2009 Tribal Council nominations Sunday, June 28, 2009 11 a.m. Special General Council meeting Tribal Community Center Dear Smoke Signals: We have been told that a people can never truly lose their culture as long as we remember how to listen to our ancestors. Many of these teachings will lay waiting for as long as it takes for the people to be ready for them. I think that some of these things have been shown to us lately and it is truly amazing to see it happen. Our children are speaking in the language of their ancestors, dancing, singing their songs and asking for more. In the tradition of the great houses that our people once lived in, the first plankhouse to be built in Grand Ronde is now under construction. The land and the trees, our ancestors, are asking for it. This house wants to be built, to help the people here to heal and strengthen our community. I have seen the faces of all who have participated in its building: young, old, Tribal and nonTribal people working to create something that they feel is much larger than themselves. Everything happens for a reason, and in it's time. Our hunters are exercising their right to provide for the Tribe through subsistent hunting and fishing rights that were granted to us by our El ders. We are also carving the first canoe to be produced in Grand Ronde in over 100 years. The perseverance of our people and culture continues to show itself. It is important that we all listen and take notice. Our ancestors are telling us something. It is the culture and integrity of our ancestors that defines who we are today; our songs, stories, our children. As long as we embrace these gifts that we have been given, we will always be a truly wealthy people. These things cannot be taken away from us, as long as we nurture and care for them. The only way to lose who we are is through the degradation of the wisdom and work ethic of our Elders. This is their home. Let's all take the opportunity that we are being given to listen, feel and hold ourselves accountable. Hayu masi. Travis Mercier Roll 1416 ' - See page 10 for more letters. BuooiaO Gsxsinietfte i?edlafltiniru mike Effective June 1, burial benefits for nonTribal members will decrease. Currently, the benefit available to all enrolled Tribal members and their immediate family members is $5,500 to be paid directly to a funeral es tablishment of choice. There is also a $300 reception benefit which is paid directly to a family member. Regretfully, due to budgetary reasons, and with the best interest of the Tribe in mind. Tribal Council made a difficult decision to reduce the burial benefit for nonTribal members. This benefit will continue as is for Tribal members, but will decrease to $2,500 for nonTribal members not including the $300 reception benefit. Grand Ronde Tribal Cemetery plots are still available at no cost to Tribal members, their spouses and children. B 0 ) r.-r , . , . : PUBLICATIONS OFFICE 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347 1-800-422-0232, FAX: 503-879-2173 Web site: www.grandronde.orgncws E-mail: newsgrandronde.org SIOBHAN TAYLOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR 503-879-1920 doMun.uyfot9trandrondt.orf SCARLETT HOLTZ PUBLICATIONS SECRETARY 503-879-1453 mrtett.holug andiuode.oii GEORGE VALDEZ GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALIST 503-879-1416 ort.yjfdeKfrmJravk.ort CARLA ROBERTS CENTRAL PHONES 503-879-1447 cjfU.ratwnQrnondt.ort KRISTIN RAVIA PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECRETARY 503-879-1418 fafcun.ravliQmiKlrendt.arf JUSTIN PHILLIPS PAGE DESIGNER 503-879-2190 lunln.phlMpttrwdrondt.ort DEAN RHODES PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR 503-879-1463 dtaiLrhodci&frandronde.ort RON KARTEN STAFF WRITER 503-879-4663 ron.luntn&pindrondt.ort MICHELLE ALAIMO PHOTOJOURNALIST 503-879-1961 intchette jtakitoyaiwlrondeors SHELLY KENT CENTRAL PHONES 503-875211 DEADLINE DATE ISSUE PATE Friday, JuneS JUNE 15 Friday, June 19 JULY 1 Monday, July 6 JULY 15 Monday, Jury 20 AUG. 1 Wednesday, Aug. 5 AUG. I S 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 Ad created by Geotoc Vafctet 2009 Tribal Council 1-800-422-0232 councilgrandronde.org D Cheryle A. Kennedy Tribal Chairwoman ext. 2352 cheryle.kenncdygrandronde.org D Reyn Leno Tribal Vice Chair ext. 2399 reyn.lenograndronde.org D )ack Ciffen Jr. Tribal Secretary ext. 2306 Lxk.glfTengrandronde.org Steve Bobb Sr. -ext. 2353 steve.bobbgrandronde.org D Chris Mercier - ext. 2305 chrls.merclergrandronde.org Wink Soderberg - ext. 1444 wlnk.soderberggrandronde.org D Kathleen Tom -ext. 1777 kathleen.tomgrandronde.org June Sell-Sherer - ext. 2300 lune.sherergrandronde.org O Valorie Sheker -ext. 2355 val.shekergrandronde.org
