2 SEPTEMBER 1, 201 1
Smoke Signals
General Council mooting
Sunday, Sept. 11 11 a.m.
Tribal Community Center
Election Board office hours
The Election Board office is now open 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday
through Thursday (closed from noon to 12:30 p.m. for lunch). We will
remain open until after the Sept. 10 election.
The Election Board office is in the Community Center Building. Tele
phone number is 503-879-2271, or you may reach us by calling 1-800-422-0232,
and ask for ext. 2271. If you need to send a fax, that number is
503-879-4538.
NOTICE Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Meetings
DATE TIME
Wednesday, Sept. 14 5 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept.. 28 5 p.m.
Please note that these timet and dates are subject to change if needed.
Dear Tribal Council members and those responsible for the
education cuts:
My name is Nancy Babb, and I have left each and every one of you a
telephone message concerning a letter I received Aug. 18, 2011, from the
Education Department cutting my education funding $3,000 a year.
There are several reasons why I am upset with this decision. First of all,
I start school Monday, meaning I am receiving a major financial change
in my living expenses with a four-day notice.
Secondly, the four-year college program is receiving a $1,000 increase.
I do not understand the reasoning behind this decision. Living expenses
do not change regardless if you are attending a two-year college vs. a
four-year college. I still have the same rent, the same food cost, the same
amount of fuel I have to put in my car, the same cost of living. Give the
$1,000 increase to the program that was cut $3,000! It just does not make
much sense to me.
Another problem I have is that I just spoke with the Education Depart
ment to ensure that my funding was still on track (I have found if you do
not take action and follow through, things tend to be lost or left hanging)
since I rely on this money to support myself and my two Tribal member
children. I was told I was in compliance and everything was a go.
Well, I just got off the phone with my school and they have not received
anything from the Tribe. My school needs a week or two to process checks
received from outside sources. This means I am at the mercy of the Tribe
to issue a check, for less money, then wait until the school receives it, and
wait even more until they do a check run.
Normally, I receive my scholarship funds the first Friday of school, which
would be Aug. 26. But since the school has not received anything from the
Tribe, I will have to wait for an undetermined amount of time thus creating
a significant hardship since I make payment arrangements with creditors
to pay my bills on the 26th, the normal day I usually receive payment.
I am just sick about this. I believe it is very unprofessional for the Tribe
to act in such a manner that creates an extreme hardship for Tribal mem
bers. Not only do I get less funding, I am given four days notice to create
a new financial budget to support my family and I have no idea when I
am getting my education funds and I will be in class this Monday. What
is wrong with this picture?
I am so disappointed with my Tribe, especially when I do all I am sup
posed to do to ensure timely payment, a tremendous hardship was just
thrown my way with only a four-day notice and nothing I can do about
it.
I thought there is always an option for appeal. None was even mentioned
in the letter. I feel lost without even having a day to expect payment. It all
just seems so wrong and unprofessional. I have no recourse. The Tribe has
not even given me an opportunity to have a say in something that gravely
affects me. Shouldn't Tribal members have that opportunity?
At least keep things the same for fall semester, giving ample time for stu
dents to adjust by spring. Is that so hard to do? It definitely seems fair.
I beg you to please consider this suggestion. It would definitely give the
time I need to work on a solution.
Nancy Babb
Roll 2353
See page 14 for more letters.
Elder's bingo changes days
Bingo at the Elders' Activity Center is held the second and fourth Friday
of the month. A potluck dinner starts at 6 p.m. and bingo starts at 6:30
p.m. For more information, contact Elder Activity Assistant Daniel Ham
at 503-879-2233. B
Tribal offices will be closing at noon Friday, Sept. 2, and be closed
Monday, Sept. 5, in observance of Labor Day. Tribal offices will be
closed Friday, Sept. 23, in observance of National Indian 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
O Twitter: CTGRgov
Facebook: Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
SIOBHAN TAYLOR
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
DIRECTOR
503-879-1920
siobrun.uytortjndrond.ort
SCARLETT HOLTZ
PUBLICATIONS
SECRETARY
503-879-1453
Kjriihorupndrondc.ort
GEORGE VALDEZ
GRAPHIC DESIGN
SPECIALIST
503-879-1416
feor(t.valdeitrandroni.Ofi
KRISTEN RAVIA
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
SECRETARY
503-879-1418
kriittfi.ravlifrjndrondt.aft
JUSTIN PHILLIPS
PAGE DESIGNER
503-879-2190
kadn.phlfllpijrtdrorKfe.ort
MICHELLE ALAIMO
PHOTOJOURNALIST
503-879-1961
mk:rn.jUrrTK)gr andronde.org
DEADLINE DATE
DEAN RHODES
PUBLICATIONS
COORDINATOR
503-879-1463
dean.rhoclepandronde.or
RON KARTEN
STAFF WRITER
503-879-4663
ron.kafunpandronde.org
CAR LA MAY
CENTRAL PHONES
503-879-1447
cjriJ.robrapm)ronle.ort
ISSUE DATE
Tuesday, Sept. 6 Sept 1 5
Tuesday, Sept 20 Oct 1
0&D57
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, ail 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
Cheryle A. Kennedy Chris Merder
Tribal Chairwoman ext. 2305
eXk 2352 chris.merciergrandronde.org
cheryle.kennedygrandronde.org D ink Soderberg
D Reyn Leno ext. 1 444
Tribal Vice Chair wink.soderberggrandronde.org
ext. 2399 D Toby McClary
reyn.lenograndronde.org ex 4555
D Kathleen Tom toby.mcclarygrandronde.org
Tribal Secretary jack Giffen Jr.
ext. 1 777 ext. 2300
kathleen.tomgrandronde.org jack.giffengrandronde.org
Steve Bobb Sr. D Valorie Sheker
ext. 2353 ext. 2355
steve.bobbgrandronde.org val.shekergrandronde.org