Smoke Signals
JULY 1,2009
Dear Tribal members:
I hope many of you have been following the recent demonstrations in
Iran. The people there are marching for such basic human rights as the
freedom of speech, the freedom of press and the freedom of expression.
It is truly amazing to observe what people will do for their freedom. Now
consider this.
In Grand Ronde, we may be having our freedoms taken from us. Let
me explain.
In the last Smoke Signals, a nonprofit organization for which I volunteer
paid for a small 2-inch-by-2-inch advertisement on page 7 that simply
stated "want change?" and our Web site. It did not mention names, nor even
say anything overtly "political." Yet within a day Tribal Council passed
a Record of Instruction to bar any further "political" advertisements. I
received an e-mail from Editor Dean Rhodes stating that Smoke Signals
would not be able to run any more advertisements for our organization,
even though we had paid for them in advance. He offered a refund.
We were hoping to announce to all Tribal members that we will host
three different Candidates Forums for you all to meet Tribal Council
candidates, since the Tribe no longer hosts them. We were hoping you all
would visit our Web site to hear a different perspective on the way the
Tribe is being run. We were hoping that our Tribe was a place that would
encourage debate and the exchange of ideas. We were hoping to add a new
dimension to Tribal elections that has been missing.
I find it sad that any other paper in the United States would accept a
paid advertisement note that paid advertisements help offset some of
the cost of our paper without so much as a question, but our Tribal
newspaper says no because Tribal Council tells them to. More to the
point, I am perplexed as to what motivates this newfound desire to start
censoring the Smoke Signals for items deemed "political." Last year I seem
to recall a series of letters for and against then presidential candidate
Barack Obama. I also seem to remember last year's Leno Letter sparked
a number of letters to the editor, the whole discussion around something
that most people would probably consider "political." Lastly, as recent as
the last few months, a full-page ad appeared in Smoke Signals urging
Tribal members to vote in a local election. Hmmmm ... "vote," "election,"
isn't that what one might call "political"? Yet our leaders never saw fit to
interfere with any of that ... until now.
Let me end this letter with this historical observation: Governments that
suddenly seize control of the media, especially on the verge of elections,
have rarely had the best interests of their citizens in mind, which is why
such acts have been more common during Latin American military coups,
in former Soviet Republics and places like Iran. Freedom of the press is,
along with the right to vote, one of the defining characteristics of democ
racy. I hope our Tribal leaders remember that.
Sincerely, but disappointed,
Bryan Mercier
Roll 1357
(Editor's note: Tribal Council issued a Record of Instruction on
June 17 that temporarily halted the running of political adver
tisements or notices from a group or individual in Smoke Signals
"until the Tribal Council has had time to discuss the issue further
and standard policy is established." Tribal Council discussed
the issue on June 26 and did not reach a majority consensus on
the issue, meaning that Smoke Signals can continue running ads
and letters to the editor that qualify under the Editorial Policy
by not being slanderous, libelous or attacking individuals.)
NOTICE Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Meetings
DATE TIME
Wednesday, July 1 5 p.m.
Wednesday, July 8 5 p.m.
Wednesday, July 22 5:30 p.m.
(Later time to accommodate those members of Council return
ing from off-site meetings)
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.
See page 10 for more letters.
PUBLICATIONS OFFICE
9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347
1-800-422-0232, FAX: 503-879-2173
Web site: www.grandronde.orgnews
E-mail: newsgrandronde.org
SIOBHAN TAYLOR
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
DIRECTOR
503-879-1920
ik)bhjn.tayfcrgrjn)rond.org
SCARLETT HOLTZ
PUBLICATIONS
SECRETARY
503-879-1453
Kartra.hort2grjmlroiMlf.org
GEORGE VALDEZ
GRAPHIC DESIGN
SPECIALIST
503-879-1416
ltorfe.vikltiirindronde.orf
CARLA ROBERTS
CENTRAL PHONES
503-879-1447
carU. robtrutfr4ndronde.org
KRISTEN RAVIA
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
SECRETARY
503-879-1418
la1sten.rivUgrjndronde.orf
JUSTIN PHILLIPS
PAGE DESIGNER
503-879-2190
lusdn. phtlllpsgrjndronde.org
MICHELLE ALAIMO
PHOTOJOURNALIST
503-879-1961
mlchetle.tJilrnogrjiKlrondt.org
DEAN RHODES
PUBLICATIONS
COORDINATOR
503-879-1463
dean.rhodeifrandronde.org
RON KARTEN
STAFF WRITER
503-879-4663
ron .kartenanoYondff.or
SHELLY KENT
CENTRAL PHONES
503-879-5211
sMry.kentfrindronde.orf
DEADLINE PATE ISSUE PATE
Monday, July 6 JULY 15
Monday, July 20 AUG. 1
Wednesday, Aug. 5 AUG. 1 5
Thursday, Aug. 20 SEPT. 1
-"TSrsday," SeptT3 SEPT. 1 5
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
wfthout 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 Coundl. 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
CORRECTION: A Letter to the Editor published in the June 15,
2009, Smoke Signals editio.4vpnge 10 incorrectly described the pro
cess for investigation of alleged ethical misconduct under the Tribal
Ethical Standards Ordinance. We believe it is important to provide the
correct process under Tribal law. A sworn complaint alleging improper
conduct by an official under the ordinance may be filed with the Tribal
Council Secretary (or alternatively Tribal Chairperson) with a copy to
the Tribal Attorney (or alternatively the Assistant Tribal Attorney).
This mirrors the service requirements under the Tort Claims Ordinance
for actions filed in Tribal Court. Once the complaint is filed, Tribal
Council appoints a Hearings Officer to investigate and hold hearings
on the allegation historically they have been legally trained media
tors or judges with no connection to the Tribe. It is the independent
Hearings Officer who determines if ethical violations have occurred
and recommends appropriate sanctions. Tribal Council must accept
the findings and conclusions of the Hearings Officer.
mMMJiir-nqHiif--Ti
Tribal offices will be closing at noon Thursday, July 2, and be closed on
Friday, July 3, in observance of Independence Day.
2009 Tribal Council
1 -800-422-0232 councilgrandronde.org
Chcryle A. Kennedy
Tribal Chairwoman
- ext. 2352
cheryle.kennedygrindronde.org
D Reyn Leno
Tribal Vice Chair
ext. 2399
reyn.lenograndronde.org
D Jack Clffen Jr.
Tribal Secretary
ext. 2306
lack.gtrrengrandronde.org
D Steve Bobb Sr.
- ext. 2353
tteve.bobbgrandronde.org
D Chris Mercier
- ext. 2305
chrts.mercler grandronde.org
D Wink Soderberg
ext. 1 444
wlnk.soderberggrandronde.org
D Kathleen Tom
- ext. 1 777
kathleen.tomgrandronde.org
June Sell'Sherer
ext. 2300
)une. sherergTandronde.org
Valorle Sheker
-ext. 2355
val.shekerigrandronde.org