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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2009)
Smoke Signals 5 DECEMBER 1, 2009 Tribal member Justine Colton elected to lead student body By Scarlett Holtz Smoke Signals contributing writer Tribal member Justine Colton, 17, daughter of Tribal member Mike and Daphney Colton of Grand Ronde, is a leader in the making, having been elected Student Body president at Willamina High School. "I take this responsibility very seriously," Justine says. The opportunity to be a leader for young people means having to set a good example for everyone. "I feel that it is my responsibility as a leader of the youth of today to advocate for the young people," Justine says. "Teaching them to speak out on issues that are important to them, as well as being involved in every area of their educational experi ence. Being a confidante, listening to what they have to say and help ing them put their thoughts and ideas into action. This is what I feel my responsibility is." Justine says her dreams include finishing her education at Willami na High School and then attending the University of Oregon, where she plans to obtain a law degree. With her law degree in hand, Jus tine says her desire is to return home and work for the Tribe. "It is wonderful that Justine is pursuing her dreams of becom ing a lawyer," says Tribal Youth Education Program Manager Molly Matthews. "I think she will make a fabulous lawyer." Justine attended the American Museum of Natural History con ference in New York City earlier this year with the Youth Education Program, Matthews says. She gave an inspiring presentation on the Tribe's Restoration. "It so reminded me of her grand mother Jackie Whisler," says Mat thews. The material Justine shared in her presentation was informa tion that she had learned over the years from time spent with her late grandmother. "My greatest inspiration was my grandmother, Jackie," says Justine. She was a very strong woman who knew exactly what she wanted and she went for it, she says. Whisler, a former Tribal Council secretary, Tribal Council member, contract health clerk and pre-school Chinuk Wawa teacher, was a sig nificant contributor to the Tribal Restoration effort. She walked on Dec. 3, 2007. "My philosophy," Justine says, "is never procrastinate. If you want something, do everything in your power to get it. .''Mi f o II! A 1 ft .:..,..-.:;..::.v Photo by Michelle Alaimo Tribal member Justine Colton, a senior at Willamina High School, was elected Student Body president for the 2009-1 0 school year. "One thing I have learned is, just because you haven't made it yet does not mean you will not. Don't let anyone hold you back from your dreams. "It's OK to be selfish when you are reaching for your goal. Everything I do is not just an opportunity for me. The opportunity to succeed is available to everyone. They just have to reach out and take it. "I am not a perfect student. I push myself hard and I do not allow my imperfections to hold me back." B Check distribution day: Friday, Dec. 1 1 The quarterly per capita and timber checks for December 2009 will be available for pick-up at the Tribal Adult Education Building (located right next to the gymnasium) on Friday, Dec. 1 1, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Checks not picked up, will be mailed on Dec. 11 to the address Member Services has on file for you. If you are picking up a check for someone other than yourself, please provide notarized documentation. You will need to have photo ID to pick up checks. REDW can no longer accept changes for addresses, direct deposit or tax elections on either of the December 2009 checks. If you are not able to pick up your check and were not able to update your address with Member Services by Nov. 30 you may submit a forwarding address with your post office. All enrolled members 21 years of age by the distribution date will receive a timber check. For members under the age of 21, the timber check will be directed into the trust. Any other questions or concerns you may contact Liz Leno at 603-879-2082 or Hollie Mercier at 503-879-2490. D 'X Photo by Michelle Alaimo Solomon George, left, Tribal member and housekeeper for the Tribe, grabs his turkey from Tribal member David Holmes during the employee turkey distribution in front of the Governance Center on Thursday, Nov. 19. A total of 4S0 turkeys were distributed to employees and committee members. Feeding the hungry f - ft-, ft J " y Photo by Dean Rhodes Grand Ronde Tribal Housing Authority Homeownership Coordinator Nancy Holmes, president of the Grand Ronde Community Resource Center (Grand Ronde Food Bank), accepts two $25,000 checks from the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and Spirit Mountain Casino from Tribal Chairwoman Cheryie A. Kennedy on Friday, Nov. 20. Holmes said the money will help feed the needy families and individuals in the Grand Ronde area. The Tribe has done so much for the community,' Holmes said. "You don't know how proud I am to be part of this organization." Watching the presentation, from left, were Tribal Council Secretary Kathleen Tom, Tribal Council member Wink Soderberg, Tribal Senior Human Resources Coordinator and Community Resource Center Board member Connie Holmes, and Tribal Council members Steve Bobb Sr., Toby McOary, Chris Mercier and June Sell-Sherer. Reibach seeks video extras Tribal member Jnn Michael Looking Wolf Kcibnch in seeking extras to appear in n music video being filmed Saturday, Dec. 5, nt the Historic Grand Theatre, 191 High Street N.K., Snlem. Reibach, the Tribe's Land Manager and this year's Native American Music Awards Artist of the Year, is shooting a music video for"Hreakin Free," an upcoming DVD for Native youth drug and alcohol prevention. Volunteer extras should be at the Historic Grand Theatre at 1:30 p.m. D
