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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (March 15, 2011)
Smoke Signals NOTICE Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Mattings DATE TIME Wednesday, March 16 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 30 4 p.m. Pleat note that theee timet and date are eubject to change if needed. Call Dakota Whltecloud, Tribal Council Relation Coordinator, at 503-879-1309 to confirm. General Council meeting Sunday, April 3 11 a.m. Portland location: TBA 2 MARCH 15,2011 Casino becomes 'safe haven' from possible tsunami By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor Spirit Mountain Casino became an impromptu emergency shelter for more than 300 Oregon coastal residents fleeing Lincoln City and other low-lying areas on Friday, March 1 1, after a tsunami warning was issued for most of the western United States' coastline. "We had a pretty crazy and interesting morning," said Tribal member and Spirit Mountain Casino Director of Security Joann Mercier. "Many people came to Spirit Mountain and found it to be a safe haven. Many people came with their families, seeking shelter, food and comfort." In response, casino employees obtained cots, blankets and pillows from Spirit Mountain Lodge for their guests, and opened up the Cedar Plank Buffett early to feed them. The Rock Creek Deli was filled to capacity with people waiting to get in, Mercier said. Playing cards also were distributed to those who wanted to pass the time playing cards and "lots and lots of coffee" was kept brewing for those who needed it. "We opened up the sports bar so they could watch all the updates on all the TVs," Mercier said. "Everyone was very interested in what was going on both in Japan and locally." The Mountain View Sports Bar features 17 46-inch high-definition flat screen TVs. The tsunami warning was caused by an 8.9-magnitude earthquake off the northeast coast of Japan. Oregon coastal residents were subsequently asked to evacuate low-lying areas in the early morning on Friday, leaving many wondering where to seek refuge. Around noon Friday, state officials announced that it was OK for coastal residents to return to their homes. Grand Ronde is on the east side of the Coast Range off state Highway 18, a main route between the Willamette Valley and the Oregon Coast. Mercier, who is a Tribal Elder, said the casino's impromptu hospital ity continues the Tribe's well-known tradition of potlatch sharing with those in need. In the past, the Tribe has made substantial humanitarian donations to help Indian Ocean tsunami victims and Haitian earthquake survivors. 'The staff assisted in every way possible to help these people and make them as comfortable as possible," Mercier added. D Chinuk Wawa classes offered The Tribal Cultural Education Department offers adult Chinuk Wawa language classes from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday in Room 207 of the Tribal Education Building. Language classes can be taken for college credit or for fun. For more information, contact Kathy Cole at 503-879-2249 or 503-437-4599. B All are welcome, all are Invited. Come reunite with your 1196116 WW lt 0161X1 fail.lty r mm m m o ii a.m. -1 rh: Lunch at Noon ( IVd'II have great food and door prizes tool N ': 1' f ' " r t PUBLICATIONS OFFICE 961 5 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347 1-800-422-0232, FAX: 503-879-2173 Web site: www.grandronde.orgnews E-mail: newsgrandronde.org Q Twitter: CTGRgov Facebook: Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde SIOBHAN TAYLOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR 503-879-1920 doMun.uytorirandrendc.ort SCARLETT HOLTZ PUBLICATIONS SECRETARY 503-879-1453 icjriea.holu(iBfridronde.orf GEORGE VALDEZ GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALIST 503-879-1416 gvOfie.valdezgrandronde.org ALICIA SELWYN CENTRAL PHONES 503-879-521 1 alkU.selwyngrjndrondt.ori KRtSTEN RAVIA PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECRETARY 503-879-1418 lufem.rjvljQpjitdronde.ort JUSTIN PHILLIPS PAGE DESIGNER 503-879-2190 mdn.phllllpitj Jndronde.org MICHELLE ALAIMO PHOTOJOURNALIST 503-879-1961 mkMle.jljlinorJndronde.ort DEAN RHODES PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR 503-879-1463 dejn.rhodesgrjndronde.org RON KARTEN STAFF WRITER 503-879-4663 ron.kjrungrjndronde.ort CARLA MAY CENTRAL PHONES 503-879-1447 urb.robertsgrandronde.orf DEADLINE DATE ISSUE DATE Friday, March 18 April 1 Tuesday, April 5 April 1 5 Tuesday, April 20 May 1 CfcfB37 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 Mercier Tribal Chairwoman ext. 2305 ext. 2352 chris.mercIergrandronde.org cheryle.kennedygrandronde.6rg g yfm Soderberg Reyn Leno ext. 1 444 Tribal Vice Chair wink.soderberggrandronde.org - ext. 2399 D XoDy McClary reyn.lenograndronde.org exj 4555 Kathleen Tom toby.mcclarygrandronde.org Tribal Secretary jack Giffen Jr. - ext. 1 777 ext. 2300 kath!een.tomgrandronde.org jack.giffengrandronde.org Steve Bobb Sr. D Valorie Sheker - ext. 2353 ext. 2355 steve.bobbgrandronde.org val.shekergrandronde.org
