Smoke Signals
NOTICE Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Mattings
DATE TIME
Wednesday, Feb. 2 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 16 4 p.m.
Please note that theme time and date art subject to change if needed. Call Dakota
Whitecloud, Tribal Council Relations Coordinator, at S03-879-1309 to confirm.
General Council mooting
Sunday, Feb. 6 11 a.m.
Tribal Community Center
2 FEBRUARY 1,2011
CommittccSEB Summit set for Fob. 9
The annual CommitteeSpecial Event Board member summit will
be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9, at Spirit Mountain
Casino in the Molalla A & B conference rooms.
Lunch will be provided as Tribal members who volunteer for com
mittees and special event boards are briefed about their roles and
responsibilities.
For more information, contact Tribal Council Senior Administrative As
sistant Lauri Smith at 503-879-2304 or lauri.smithgrandronde.org. D
UGGB33B
Dear Smoke Signals:
lam writing in full support of Tribal member Rebecca Knight's letter in the
Jan. 1, 2011, issue. When I first began receiving per capita payments, I was
a kid living on my own, supporting myself and trying to finish high school.
Those payments helped me persevere and get that diploma.
Many moons ago, I, too, remember those per capita payments being higher.
Recession or no recession, Spirit Mountain Casino was able to renovate its
already stunning hotel. I can't imagine what the bill was for all those brand
new furnishings. Furthermore, I can't imagine our own people starving for
it. Wake up Grand Ronde, these are the issues!
Elaborate trips are being made, all on the Tribe's dime. Sending couticil
and committee members here, there and everywhere. Sure, a representative
from the Tribe is needed at many of these functions, that's how work gets
done in many cases. However, many of the trips I saw in the budget reports
are questionable, needless spending. It seems as though our Tribe is getting
more government as we go along. I would encourage more to look over those
budget reports we're let in on. Half the problem is that everyone blindly allows
them to make decisions and spend money.
Many wonderful programs are in place, that I'm certain of. But I think it's
becoming less about our people and more about hitting a donation race and
reaping that glory. $50 million in giving? What about us?
My two children are Grand Ronde Tribal members. Or, at least they should
be. I've been told numerous times that I look like I've just stepped out of a
tepee, but my children are denied recognition and benefits they deserve. It's
not funny. It's about preserving our people, and it'll be over soon if we continue
to squander away members with Native blood, no matter how much of it.
I broke my back two years ago. I'm still fighting the U.S. government for
disability. I thought I could turn to my Tribe for aid, but turns out the govern
ment has to declare me disabled before my own Tribe will help. What a joke!
I thought we were our own, sovereign nation?
My wife works full-time and my family depends on per capita payments
when they come and the amounts have been heartbreaking. Please give us
what we need and deserve so desperately. Enrollment policies need amend
ments before we disappear.
Tribal members, please stand up with Rebecca Knight and I to fight for what
is ours. Our Elders did it before and we can do it again. Write your letter of
support, air your concerns and copy each of the council members on it.
Adam Jeffers
Roll 3779
Dear Smoke Signals:
On behalf of myself and my brothers and sister and our families, we want to
thank everyone for the love and support you have given us during the passing of
our father, Russell (Russ) Leno. The flowers, cards, food, hugs and kind words
mean so much to us and have helped as we learn how to cope with our loss.
Special thanks to Deitz Peters for his flute song and spiritual guidance, the
Grand Ronde Color Guard for the military honors, Ken Haller for officiating
the services, Eagle Beak for the prayer songs, all of the speakers and attendees
and those who prepared and served the meal.
We are deeply touched by all that has been done in his honor. I think someone
said earlier, and I cannot agree more, Dad never really knew how much of an
impact he had on people and how much he was loved. My first trip home since
his passing was difficult and my sorrow was eased by the people in the com
munity who make the community special. Thank you for being there for us.
Our prayers and love for you,
Jackie Leno Grant, Roll 895
Ron Leno, Roll 1054
Rusty Leno, Roll 1055
Rhonda Leno, Roll 1097
Randy Leno, Roll 1053
Tribal offices will be closed on Monday, Feb. 21, in observance of
Tribal Chiefs Day.
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
Twitter: CTGRgov
Facebook: Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
SIOBHAN TAYLOR
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
DIRECTOR
503-879-1920
rioMun.oytor9vndrande.org
SCARLETT HOLTZ
PUBLICATIONS
SECRETARY
503-879-1453
Kjrtro.huturftpjndiondt.org
GEORGE VALDEZ
GRAPHIC DESIGN
SPECIALIST
503-879-1416
george.vjlderggijiiOiuiide.org
ALICIA SELWYN
CENTRAL PHONES
503-879-5211
aKclajetwyngrandronde.org
KRJSTEN RAVIA
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
SECRETARY
503-879-1418
bfcteiumu9grandronde.org
JUSTIN PHILLIPS
PAGE DESIGNER
503-879-2190
lusdn.prtfkuJjr jndronde.org
MICHELLE ALAIMO
PHOTOJOURNALIST
503-879-1961
rntcrwlta .JlJrmoJggrjnaYoride.org
DEAN RHODES
PUBLICATIONS
COORDINATOR
503-879-1463
ojn.rhodeiQgrjndronde.org
RON KARTEN
STAFF WRITER
503-879-4663
ron.lurien9grjndronde.org
CARLA MAY
CENTRAL PHONES
503-879-1447
CJfU.robere9gnndronde.org
DEADLINE DATE ISSUE DATE
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Tuesday, April 5 April 1 5
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
201 1 Tribal Council
1-800-422-0232 councilgrandronde.org
D Cheryle A. Kennedy Chris Mercier
Tribal Chairwoman ext. 2305 .
eXk 2352 chris.merclergrandronde.org
cheryle.kennedygrandronde.org D ink Soderberg
D Reyn Leno ext. 1 444
Tribal Vice Chair wink.soderberggrandronde.org
-ext. 2399 DTobyMcCIary
reyn.Ienograndronde.org ex 4555
Q Kathleen Tom toby.mccIarygrandronde.org
Tribal Secretary Jack Giffen Jr.
- ext. 1 777 ext. 2300
kathleen.tomgrandronde.org Jack.giffengrandronde.org
Steve Bobb Sr. q Valorie Sheker
-ext. 2353 - ext. 2355
steve.bobbgrandronde.org val.shekergrandronde.org