4
Smoke Signals
MAY 1,2011
Kennedy re-appointed to Legislative
Commission on Indian Services
Dy Dean Rhodes
Smoke SignaU editor
2006 Willamette University repatriated a 2.2-pound piece of
Tomanowos the Willamette meteorite to the Tribe. The piece
was found in a supply closet in the school's Olin Science Building.
This piece is home," Tribal Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy said,
"but it's not a good situation because there has been so much cutting
on the meteorite. To me, it's like carving up a body."
2001 Tribal members met with representatives from the Ameri
can Museum of Natural History in New York City to discuss the
Tribe's upcoming visit to Tomanowos. The museum agreed to close
the site to all other visitors while Tribal members visit and conduct
a blessing.
1996 Architect Frank Whalen reported that groundbreaking on
the new Tribal health facility should begin in August with construc
tion taking about a year to complete. "We are still within the budget
of around $3.5 million," he said. "It is running $122 a square foot."
1991 Tribal Chairman Mark Mercier reported that he delivered
a check for $90,000 to Tillamook County's Board of Commissioners to
settle forever any revenue losses the county may have suffered from the
creation of the Grand Ronde Reservation. "This action closes another
small chapter in the history of the rebirth of the Tribal community and
the development of the Grand Ronde Reservation," he wrote.
1986 The Tribe's general manager explained why Tribal Council
members and staff received two W-2 forms for 1985: One on the cor
porate number and one for income earned after Sept. 30, 1985. The
problem was partially due to the Internal Revenue Service not under
standing the difference between the corporation and the Tribe since
they both began with 'The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde."
The Tribal Council is a sovereign government while the corporation
is a state-chartered non-profit 501(c)(3).
Yesteryears is a look back at Tribal history in five-year incre
ments through the pages of Smoke Signals.
Grand Ronde Tribal Chairwoman Cheryle A.
Kennedy was re-appointed to the Oregon Legis
lative Commission on Indian Services on April
19 by Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney
and Speakers of the House Bruce Hanna and
Arnie Roblan.
Kennedy, 63, has represented the Confeder
ated Tribes of Grand Ronde on the commission
since 2003.
The Legislative Commission on Indian Services
was created in 1975 to improve state services to
Native Americans in Oregon. Its 13 members
are appointed jointly by the Senate President
and Speaker of the House to serve a two-year
term and commission members select their own officers to serve one-year
terms. (There are two Speakers of the House this year because of the
50-50 split between Democrats and Republicans in the Oregon House of
Representatives.)
The Commission on Indian Services serves as the main forum in which
Native American concerns are considered by state government. It serves
as a conduit through which Native concerns are channeled through the
state network to the appropriate entity and serves as an access point for
finding out about state government programs and Indian communities.
All nine of the federally recognized Tribes in Oregon are represented on
the commission, as are two geographic areas the Portland Urban Area
and the Willamette Valley area. Two legislative members a senator and
representative are also seated on the commission.
In addition to Kennedy, Jessie Davis of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz
Indians, Gary Frost of the Klamath Tribes and LeAnne Teeman of the
Burns Paiute Tribe were appointed this year.
Kennedy has served as chairwoman of the Confederated Tribes of Grand
Ronde for nine years, making her the second longest-serving chair of the
Tribe since its Restoration in 1983.
She lives in Dallas with her husband, Vernon. D
Youth prom to be held
Native Network will be presenting the first Native Youth Prom on
Saturday, May 28, for Native youth who live in the Portland metro
area, including Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties
in Oregon and Clark County in Washington.
The network also will be having an ongoing prom dress, tuxedo and
accessories drive to collect items for students in need, and also will be
having a Native American art exhibit and silent auction fundraiser
to help with the costs of the event, which will be held at the Crowne
Plaza Hotel, 1441 N.E. Second Ave., Portland.
For more information on becoming a sponsor or donating, contact
Cassandra Belgard at 971-998-4567 or Nicholas Belgard at 503-758-2019,
or visit www.NativeYouthProm.com. B
(sojfcT now
Ad created by George Valdez
Free to all Tribal members!
Diabetes Wellness Screening
11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Monday May 30
(Coincides with the Memorial Day celebration)
Tribal Community Center
Screening is also open to Tribal spouses on Skookum Health
Care Plan Special prize for all participants
Brought to you by: Tribal Council and the
CTGR Health & Wellness Center B
SMGI seeks position
for board of directors
Spirit Mountain Gaming, Inc. (SMGI) is seeking a dynamic business-oriented
individual (Tribal or nonTribal member) to fill a vacant
position on the SMGI Board of Directors. The SMGI Board oversees
the fiscal accountability, budgets, policies, procedures and business
operations of Spirit Mountain Casino. The SMGI Board meets once
a month and board members receive a stipend each month for their
participation in board meetings.
Qualifications: We are seeking individuals with general business
knowledge, experience in hospitalitycustomer service driven environ
ment, and in one or more of the following areas:
Marketing;
Employee relations;
; Internal Audit;
Finance;
Surveillance.
Knowledge of Native American-owned and-operated organiza
tions is preferred. There should also be a demonstrated ability to be
responsive to the goals of the business and its increasing dynamic
character with appropriate analytical and communication skills.
Must be able to pass a thorough background check and obtain a PMO
gaming license.
Deadline to apply is May 13, 2011.
Applicants may submit a letter of interest, resume and references
to: Randy Dugger, Chief Operating Officer, do Danita Trombla, Spirit
Mountain Gaming Inc., P.O. Box 39, Grand Ronde, OR 97347 AND
Rob Greene, Tribal Attorney's Office, 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand
Ronde, OR 97347.