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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2009)
8 JUNE 1,2009 Smoke Signals Gift) TRIBAL FLAGS continued from front page Government Day held at the state Capitol. "I think it's a huge step in a positive direction for our sover eignty. "The federal government tries to dissolve our sovereignty in any way they can. For the state to step up and recognize us as a sovereign nation is huge." "This event means a day of honor when all Tribes gather and share the unity of the nine Tribes," Tribal Council member Wink Soderberg said. "That unity is something we have worked hard for, and I think the raising of the flags will reinforce the government-to-government re lationship between the nine Tribes and the state." Tribal Government Day officially started at 8:30 a.m. with a breakfast hosted by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and prepared by Spirit Mountain Casino staff. Attendees dined on miniature muffins, croissants, fruit, pastries, coffee and bottles of water and juice. Information tables from the nine federally recognized Tribes filled the Capitol Galleria. Grand Ronde's table, staffed by Tribal members Kristen Ravia and Ashley Langley, was a popular destination as the Tribe gave away "Oregon" picture books and copies of the 25th Restoration commemo rative edition that appeared in the Nov. 15, 2008, Smoke Signals. Tribal members milling about the Galleria included Education Division Manager April Campbell; Tribal Elders Kathryn Harrison, Chip Tom, Steve Rife, Gladys Hobbs and Violet Folden; Cultural Resources Manager David Lewis; Tribal lobbyist Justin Martin; and Spirit Mountain Community Fund lis I. J iVZ.:-. I Y M.l,wili,iimi:,inmii1.iil.ia l,i n nil im .ni-.,., ... .i.ii...i.ii,i i i """ i 1 Tribal Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy speaks during Tribal Government Day. Director Shelley Hanson. Tribal Council members in at tendance included Soderberg, June Sell-Sherer, Kathy Tom, Giffen, Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy, Valorie Sheker, Vice Chair Reyn Leno, Steve Bobb Sr. and Chris Mercier. Other Tribal members who at tended included the Tribe's man agement team of Executive Officer Chris Leno, Director of Develop ment Pete Wakeland and Direc tor of Program Operations John Mercier. The annual event's name was changed this year from "Tribal Information Day" to Tribal Govern ment Day, said Oregon Commis sion on Indian Services Executive Director Karen Quigley, to "stress the government-to-government re lationship between the Tribes and the state." "Every time we have one of these days," said Sue Shaffer, Tribal chairwoman of the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, "it is such a teaching experience to the public. I'm grateful that the state understands there are 10 govern ments in Oregon the state and the nine Tribal governments. It is further attested to by the Commis sion on Indian Services, which is a legislative arm of state govern ment." At 10 a.m., attendees moved out side to Wilson Park on the west side of the state Capitol building for the solemn ceremony to raise the nine Tribal flags and make them an of ficial part of the Walk of Flags, an oval with flags from the 50 states, which opened in 2005. Before the ceremony started, Tribal Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy, carrying a colorful bead ed purse that featured a bright red bird, sat next to Shaffer, jovially talking about the day. Tribal Elder Steve Rife, a member of the Grand Ronde Honor Guard, carried an eagle staff and led the procession in as Grand Ronde Veterans' Special Event Board members Chris Tinney carried the state flag, Gene LaBonte handled the POWMIA flag and Norris Mer rill tended the U.S. flag. Tribal Council member and vet eran June Sell-Sherer carried the Grand Ronde flag and Tribal Coun cil members and veterans Steve Bobb Sr. and Reyn Leno stood at the base of the Grand Ronde flag pole, waiting the time when all nine Tribes would simultaneously hoist their flags to fly in the breezy Oregon air. Umatilla Tribal Elder Jay Mint horn, chair of the Commission on Indian Services and Umatilla Board of Trustees member, handled the master of ceremonies duties. Since the state Capitol sits in the ceded homelands of the Grand Ronde Tribe, Kennedy opened the proceedings. "This is a great occasion," Ken nedy said after welcoming the public, Tribal members and elected officials. "This acknowledgement of the Tribes and the sisterhood relationship between the state of Oregon and the nine Tribes of Or egon is a first in the nation. This is the first occasion like this that is occurring within the United States of America. "It took a lot of effort and work, but I must say that the Oregon Legislature was very open, embrac ing and encouraging in this whole process." Kennedy thanked staff at the Oregon Parks & Recreation De partment and the Commission on Indian Services for their contribu tions to see the day to fruition. At 10:15 a.m., Minthorn, saying the day was "something to remem ber for years to come," instructed Tribal representatives to connect and hoist their Tribal flags to fly over the state Capitol as Star Horse, a drum from the Warms Springs Tribe, performed a flag song. D kVi -n U Y -rf h-:-titi.h lj II L 1 - l 1 Y-'ii; V -V fit'. ll r '-unit TribeCVu t . Li ; u Ptxrtoi by MtchfD AUtmo Tribal Vic Chair Reyn Leno, left,, and Tribal Council members Steve Bobb Sr. and June Sell-Sherer wait to raise the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde flag during the flag ceremony that was part of Tribal Government Day.