2 MAY 1,2010
Smoke Signals
NOTICE Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Mattings
DATE TIME
Wednesday, May 5 5 p ro.
Wednesday, May 19 5 p ro.
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General Council meeting
Sunday, May 2 11 a.m.
Tribal Community Center
Dear Smoke Signal:
I am writing to say thank you to our Tribal Council for their beautiful
flowers. The roues were beautiful.
AUo, thank you to the Elder Committee for their flower.
Anna Hannan
Roll U 5006
Dear Smoke Signal:
The family of Grace Engelhardt would like to thank all of thou who gave
us support and kindness in the loss of our mother, Grace.
We are grateful to the staff at Cougar Lodge who gave her such loving
care and attention. We are proud that you do such a good job in caring
for the elderly. This level of care is not found in many care centers! Keep
it up, Shirley.
We also much thank the kitchen staff for such a wonderful meal. They
do great work every week in the Elders' Activity Center. They are greatly
appreciated.
Ivan Langley
Roll 393
Dear Tribal members:
You recently received a letter from Director of Development Pete Wake
land talking about the alleged use of a Tribal member database and po
tential identity theft.
The package also includes a copy of the Polk County Sheriffs Office
report. It is alarming information and I want you to hear more about this
situation.
The truth of this matter is that you are being given a small piece of the
puzzle about this issue and I want you to hear more. Here's some addi
tional information:
I had nothing to do with the Leno letter. My daughter is a Leno
and they are family.
I have no access to the Tribal member database and not all of
the Tribal employees who have access were questioned. Why
wouldn't everyone with access be questioned?
The criminal investigation was inconclusive. No one was proven
guilty.
The list of people questioned by the Polk County Sheriffs Office
was not included in the report. I believe that was done because,
1) The Sheriffs Office erroneously and perhaps illegally included a
Social Security number, several personal driver's license numbers as
well as home addresses for some of the individuals questioned; and 2)
Perhaps so you wouldn't see who was or wasn't questioned.
There is no evidence that anything more than a mailing list
was ever used. No Tribal members have reported to Tribal Council
that they have been victims of identity theft.
I believe our members consistently ask our leadership for fair treatment,
open communication, transparency, consistency and financial steward
ship. This situation is an example of how that isn't happening at our Tribe.
An individual Tribal Council member initiated this action, not the entire
Tribal Council.
A small group of Tribal members are being targeted; certain individuals
were never even questioned.
Our Tribal Council spent our money on internal investigations, exter
nal attorneys and Polk County Sheriffs time to investigate an alleged
crime.
Now, even though the investigation was inconclusive, they are spending
more Tribal member money to notify you that nothing was proven
The last question you should ask is: Why is a staff member sending
this letter? If this is a major Tribal member issue, why aren't our elected
leaders sending this information? This whole situation is puzzling and
confusing.
If you'd like to talk to me about this incident, please contact me directly
at Shelley.hansoncomcast.net.
Shelley Hanson
Roll 1779
See page 16 for more letters.
Tribal offices, will be closing at noon on Friday, May 28, and be closed on
Monday, May 31, in observance of Memorial Day.
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CARLAMAY DEADLINE DATE ISSUE DATE
CENTRAL PHONES Wednesday, May 5 May 1 5
Thursday, May 20 June I
Friday, June 4.. ........................... June 15
Monday, June 2 1 July I
Tuesday, July 6 July 1 5
Tuesday, July 20...... Aug. I
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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
to contain libelous statements or personal attacks on individuals, staff, Tribal administration
or Tribal Council. 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
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2010 Tribal Council
1 -800-422-0232 councilgrandronde.org
Cheryl e A. Kennedy
Tribal Chairwoman
- ext. 2352
cheryle.kennedygrandronde.org
Reyn Leno
Tribal Vice Chair
- ext. 2399
reyn.lenograndronde.org
Kathleen Tom
Tribal Secretary
- ext. 1 777
kathleen.tomgrandronde.org
Steve Bobb Sr.
- ext. 2353
steve.bobbgrandronde.org
Chris Mercier
ext. 2305
chris.merdergrandronde.org
Wink Soderberg
ext. 1 444
wink.soderberggrandronde.org
Toby McCIary
ext. 4555
toby.mcclarygrandronde.org
June Sell-Sherer
ext. 2300
June.sherergrandronde.org
Valorie Sheker
ext. 2355
val.shekergrandronde.org