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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 2011)
Smoke Signals NOTICE Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Meetings DATE TIME Wednesday, Jan. 5 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19 4 p.m. Pleaee note that then timet and date are eubjeet to change if needed. Call Dakota Whltecloud, Tribal Council Relatione Coordinator, at S03S79-I309 to confirm. General Council mooting Sunday, Jan. 9 11 a.m. Tribal Community Center 2 JANUARY 1,2011 Giixm Dear Smoke Signals: As the global recession still continues on, we have seen more Tribal members going back to school, unemployed, homeless and many other social and environmental issues. I think it is important to remember that we are all part of the same small community. We all need to stand tall like our ancestors have taught us, hold out a hand to each other, standing strong for each other and lean on each other. No matter if you are in Grand Ronde and out of Grand Ronde, we are all connected. No matter where you are, you could be close to another member. I currently live outside the community, but Grand Ronde is still in my heart, mind and around me. I met another member while I was in school, and we are great friends and we lean on each other for support in Hawai'i. We have meals together, talk about Grand Ronde, our goals, hopes and wishes for our families and each other. It really helps me stay connected to the teaching of my Elders. This is not the only case. When I was in Washington, D.C., I became friends with other members and we helped each other along the way. The connections I have with other Tribal members have always helped me feel grounded and centered. It is important to me and I think for other member to give an extra hand to help the people in our community. We all have struggled and many of our community members are still struggling. As I have seen with the recession, we have been seeing a smaller and smaller percentage of per capita. This should be the time we see more. Most of us use that money for bills, higher education and things to improve ourselves. I know many Tribal leaders are worried about giving out per capita. They are worried that the members are depending on it; They money is for the "; people. We are the people. If you are worried about how people are using it, start providing workshops and classes on financial management. Give suggestions on ways the people in our families and communities could use it to prepare more for the future. However, right now I think we should increase the amount of per capita we are receiving. It is shocking how much the per capita payments have dropped after we went to quarterly payments. We used to receive around $5,600 a year. Now we are lucky to receive $3,000. 1 know the economy has gotten worse, but we are getting a smaller percentage of the casino earnings each year. It is not just because of the economy; it is because the money is going elsewhere. Our Elders fought so we all could live better lives than they did. Of course there are downfalls to every benefit, but for the majority of us the per capita goes to rentmortgage payments, bills, education, items for the family, and so on. We are not getting huge amounts. It is not getting wasted. So, Tribal leaders, please be wiser with our money, and give more back to the people. I know you do not have the easiest job, and I respect you for the hard work you do for us each and every day. Please, put out a survey because most of the members of the community would want more per capita, especially when the economy is so rough right now. Also, Tribal members please speak up to the Tribal leaders, write let ters, call and ask for an increase in per capita, and other issues you are concerned about. Rebecca Knight Roll 1783 Tribal offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 17, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 505-879-5211 gemote 89gmte PUBLICATIONS OFFICE 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347 1-800-422-0232, FAX: 503-879-2173 Web sice: www.grandronde.orgnews E-mail: newsgrandronde.org O Twitter: CTGRgov Facebook: Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde SIOBHAN TAYLOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR 503-879-1920 ilobhaii.uyton9vwidronde.orf, SCARLETT HOLTZ PUBLICATIONS SECRETARY 503-879-1453 KjrletLhokigi artdrondeori GEORGE VALDEZ GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALIST 503-879-1416 trarie.viidri9ffindrondt.org CARLA MAY CENTRAL PHONES 503-879-1447 urU.rotwropOTdrondt.orf KRISTEN RAVIA PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECRETARY 503-879-1418 kjtstm.rjvUtrjndrondr.orj JUSTIN PHILLIPS PAGE DESIGNER 503-879-2190 (usdn.phllipsifc0YKlronde.ori MICHELLE ALAIMO PHOTOJOURNALIST 503-879-1961 1 1 ricf m Bcatalnio grandrofide.org DEAN RHODES PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR 503-879-1463 dean.rhodetgr andronde.org RON KARTEN STAFF WRITER 503-879-4663 ron.kjrttngrandrondr.ori SHELLY KENT CENTRAL PHONES 503-879-5211 ihdhr.kemfrindronde.org DEADLINE DATE ISSUE DATE Wednesday, Jan. 5..... . Jan. 1 5 Thursday, Jan. 20 Feb. t Friday, Feb. 4 Feb. 15 Friday, Feb. 18 Mar. 1 Friday, Mar. 4 Mar. 15 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 Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association Ad created by George Valdez 2011 Tribal Council 1-800-422-0232 councilgrandronde.org Cheryle A. Kennedy Chris Merrier Tribal Chairwoman ext. 2305 ext. 2352 : chrls.merciergrandronde.org cheryle.kennedygrandronde.org n yjj,, Sorferberg Reyn Leno ext. 1 444 Tribal Vice Chair wink.soderberggrandronde.org - ext. 2399 D Xoby McClaiy reyn.lenograndronde.org ex 4555 Kathleen Tom toby.mccIarygrandronde.org Tribal Secretary g jacfc Giffen Jr. - ext. 1 777 ext. 2300 kathieen.tomgrandronde.org jack.giffengrandronde.org D Steve Bobb Sr. D Valorie Sheker - ext. 2353 ext. 2355 steve.bobbgrandronde.org val.shekergrandronde.org
