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
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Lunch at Noon (
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DEADLINE DATE ISSUE DATE
Friday, March 18 April 1
Tuesday, April 5 April 1 5
Tuesday, April 20 May 1
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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
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2011 Tribal Council
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