Smoke Signals
NOTICE Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Meetings
DATE TIME
Wednesday, March 10 4 p.m.
Wednesday, March 24 4 p.m.
Plea not that the timet and date or aubject to change if needed. Call Dakota
mtiletloud. Tribal Council Helation Coordinator, at S03-S79-I309 to confirm.
General Council meeting
Sunday, March 7 10 a.m.
Grand Ronde Tribal Gym
2 MARCH 1,2010
Dear Grand Ronde Community:
As most of you know, I lost a battle with my addiction in 2008. The last
time I saw my family and frienda was during my short performance at the
Restoration concert with Looking Wolf and Rita Coolidge. I was honored
to be asked to play one of my songs at such an occasion.
I'll be coming home from prison in June with over a year of sobriety,
which has been an accomplishment even in here.
But this letter is not about me, but about the great man, father and best
friend who has become my goal to try to one day be like. I can never fill his
shoes, but I'd like to learn to be counted on as he is to so many of us.
The way he never stopped believing in me has become a great strength
for me. I le came to see me nearly every week to include when he was using
a cane just to walk. This poem is my thank you, Dad. You've given me a
new heart to help me fight addiction; the heart of a warrior.
My Father Indian Man
When I was a young boy, and afraid in the night,
I knew that he would be there, to always make things right.
He'd tell me, "Son, be strong, and dream all that you can."
Then he'd say he loved me, my father Indian man.
I tried so hard to be just like the other kids in school,
But I never was the same as them, and followed different rules.
They said "theirs" was the real world, and from their world I ran.
I lost myself along the way, the son of an Indian man.
Then came many troubled years, still trying to find my way,
A better low, a better high, a better night and day.
But then I found that troubles had really just began,
But still he always loved me, my father Indian man.
I tried to find a woman, and the happiness of love,
The one 'just like' my mother, who watches from above.
'Cause my mother was the only one who could really understand,
The son she'd made together, with my father Indian man.
Now I'm older and my father has become my closest friend,
I know his pride and love for me will be there to the end: r"
Just like God has loved us, since this whole thing first began.
I love my God, and my father, Indian Man.
Steven L. Hudson
Roll 1314
Dear Smoke Signals:
To my family, friends my Tribal people. This is Michele Chrestensen,
sister to Marty George, daughter of Tony George. I am currently incarcer
ated at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility'in Wilsonville.
Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I want to heal the pain of
my past so I can end the cycle of addiction and domestic violence so I can
have my children back and move on.
I think I understand what I have been missing. There is no amount of
drugs or alcohol that will take away the abandonment from when I was
little, nor will it bring back my brother or my dad. It's OK that Tonia
Yvonne George (me) was adopted and it doesn't mean I was loved any
less.
Please support my recovery and the return of my children to me. Feel
free to write and thank you.
This, from "A Course in Miracles," has brought some things to light:
"Trials are but lessons that you failed to learn, presented once again, so
where you made a faulty choice before, you can now make a better one,
and thus escape all pain that what you chose before has brought you. In
every difficulty, all distress and each perplexity, Christ (the Creator) calls
to you and gently says, 'My brother (sister), choose again.' " (
Michele Chrestensen
Roll 890
No. 11910792
24499 S.W. Grahams Ferry Road
Wilsonville, OR 97070
Attention all
artisans
The Grand Ronde Royalty Committee is seeking bids for beaded
crowns for the 2010-11 Royalty Court.
Three crowns are needed and must be completed and delivered
by Thursday, July 1.
Please submit your bid to: Public Affairs, 9615 Grand Ronde Road,
Grand Ronde, OR 97347. Questions: call 503-879-1418.
gemote gggiiEfc
PUBLICATIONS OFFICE
961 5 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347
I-8OO-422-0232, FAX: 503-879-2173
Web site: www.grandronde.orgnews
E-mail: newsgrandronde.org
SIOBHAN TAYLOR
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
DIRECTOR
503-879-1920
ftotitiM.uylofandrondfjOrg
SCARLETT HOLTZ
publications
Secretary
503-879-1453
KJritxliolu97Jndrondr.orf
GEORGE VALDEZ
GRAPHIC DESIGN
SPECIALIST
503-879-1416
froff.vjUi0pjndrondt.or(
CAR LA MAY
CENTRAL PHONES
503-879-1447
CJriJ.rotMfti9pjndrondt.or
KRISTIN RAVIA
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
SECRETARY
503-879-1418
fafewujtt9trjndrandtrt
JUSTIN PHILLIPS
PAGE DESIGNER
503-879-2190
lmdn.pnjapiepJfidrondr.4rt
MICHELLE ALAIMO
PHOTOJOURNALIST
503-879-1961
n4clwUtMjknu&i jndrondrMXl
DEAN RHODES
PUBLICATIONS
COORDINATOR
503-879-1463
drjrutiodtiOpjfidrondtrg
RON KARTEN
STAFF WRITER
503-879-4663
ioii4jfimf9pjndroiidf.org
SHELLY KENT
CENTRAL PHONES
503-879-5211
fiity.lunfpjndn)nd.orf
DEADLINE DATE ISSUE DATE
Friday, March 5 March 15
Friday, March 19 . April I
Friday, April 3 April 15
Monday, April 20 May I
I33B57
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
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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.
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2010 Tribal Council
1 -800-422-0232 councilgrandronde.org
P Cheryle A. Kennedy Chris Mercler
Tribal Chairwoman ext. 2305
ext. 2352 chtis.merclergrandronde.org
cheryle.kennedygrandronde.org p wnk $oderberg
D Reyn Leno ext. 1 444
Tribal Vice Chair wlnk.soderberggrandronde.org
- ext. 2399 q Toby McClary
reyn.lenograndronde.org ext. 4555
D Kathleen Tom toby.mcclarygrandronde.org
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- ext. 1 777 ext. 2300
kathleen.tomgrandronde.org june.sherergrandronde.org
Steve Bobb Sr. D Valorie Sheker
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