Smoke Signals
NOTICE Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Mattings
DATE TIME
Wednesday, Feb. 10 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 24 4 p.m.
Pleaee note that theee time and date are tubject to change if needed. Call Dakota
Whitecloud, Tribal Council Relatione Coordinator, at 503-879-1309 to confirm.
2 FEBRUARY 1,2010
General Council mooting
Sunday, Feb. 7 10 a.m.
Monarch Hotel Pacific Ballroom
12566 S.E. 93rd Ave.
Clackamas, OR
Dear Tribal members:
I would like to start my letter by giving thanks to our Social Services, Hous
ing Authority and Tribal Council for the services they have given me.
Sometimes I look back through the years and wonder what would have
happened to me without the Tribe's help. Plus the prayers from friends and
family, and the Lord keeping his hand on me along the way.
After many years of suffering, God delivered me from drugs and alcohol on
Nov. 9. 2005, while in the Polk County Jail. Ever since that night, I can't even
stand the thought of using.
After my release, it was very hard for me to put the pieces back together
again. My destructive lifestyle had robbed me of everything. I was homeless,
without a car and broke, and had to pay more than $3,000 to reinstate my
driver's license.
I tried very hard to find a job and after many months was finally successful.
But after working a few years, I hurt my back and went through two major
surgeries. I am so thankful for our per capita payments and our Housing
Authority for the help. Without it, I probably would have remained homeless
and out of experience homelessness is not good for a person trying to stay
clean and sober.
I know that now in this time of recession and high unemployment rates that
life is financially hard for many of us and I want to express the importance of
our members' benefits for the many Tribal members facing difficult times.
I hope our Tribe is very careful right now with our funds. It is my belief
that we could slow down with many of our construction projects until our
economy picks up again. There are too many Tribal members who need the
extra help right now.
I do hope we remember to keep our priorities straight and that the casino
keeps a careful watch on its budget. With the continued overspending, our
future could change for us real quick.
Anyways, please don't get me wrong. Like I said people, I am very thankful
for all the help I have gotten. I am just voicing the way I see things and in
these rough times J am really concerned about the future of all of us.
Thank you very much and God bless.
Rex D. Haller
Roll 905
Dear Smoke Signals:
As the Tribe grows, our money is being sent farther and farther away. As
Tribal Council meets with politicians from all over, they think they are doing .
more for the reputation of Tribal members, but I think that all this attention
is going the wrong way.
Tribal Co incil should be looking at Grand Ronde to take care of Tribal
members, not to Salem or Portland or Washington, D.C.
Our money should be used to take care of us here at home. Our buildings
are not being maintained. Our retirement money is going out across the state
to buy buildings and so on.
Let's take a new look at what's important and I think that what's impor
tant is right here under our noses in Grand Ronde.
Nadine McNutt
. Roll 49
See page 13 for more letters.
Tribal offices will be closed on Monday, Feb. 15, in observance of
Tribal Chiefs Day.
CUD
503-Q7Q-&21JL
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
503-8 79-1 920
lkibhan.taylorfrandronde.orf
SCARLETT HOLTZ
PUBLICATIONS
SECRETARY
503-879-1453
Krit.hokiirandrond.ofi
GEORGE VALDEZ
GRAPHIC DESIGN
SPECIALIST
503-879-1416
feorK.valdeigrandrondt.org
CARLA ROBERTS
CENTRAL PHONES
503-879 1447
carta. roberugrandronde.org
KRISTEN RAVIA
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
SECRETARY
503-879-1418
krbten.ravte3pandrondt.org
JUSTIN PHILLIPS
PAGE DESIGNER
503-879-2190
histln.prillllpiirandrorKk.ori
MICHELLE ALAIMO
PHOTOJOURNALIST
503-879-1961
mk rtelle.aljlmograndronde.orf
DEAN RHODES
PUBLICATIONS
COORDINATOR
503-879-1463
dan.rtKdsirandron.org
RON KARTEN
STAFF WRITER
503-879-4663
ron.kartmgrandronde.org
SHELLY KENT
CENTRAL PHONES
503-879-5211
lhellY.kemgrandronde.orf
DEADLINE PATE ISSUE DATE
Friday, Feb. 5 FEB. 15
Friday, Feb. 19 Mar. 1
Friday, Mar. 5 Mar. 1 5
Friday, Mar. 19 April 1
(MB57
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 reader
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
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