2 OCTOBER 1,2011
Smoke Signals
Constitutional Enrollment Amendment Educational Meetings
EUGENE: 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, at the Valley River Inn, 1000 Val
ley River Way.
PORTLAND: 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, at the Monarch Inn, 12566 S.E.
93rd Ave., Clackamas.
BEND: 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Riverhouse Hotel, 3057 N.
Business 97.
GRAND RONDE: After the 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, Tribal Council
meeting at the Tribal Governance Center.
General Council meeting
Sunday, Oct. 2 11 a.m.
Valley River Inn, 1000 Valley River Way,
Eugene, Ore.
L
NOTICE Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Meetings
DATE TIME
Wednesday, Oct. 12 : 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 26 . 4 p.m.
Please note that these times and dates are subject to change if needed.
Dear Tribal members:
First off, I want to thank all of you who supported me over the years.
While my re-election may not have been successful, lam eternally grateful
to have had the opportunity to serve the Tribe and general membership.
Those were some good years.
But because I am off Tribal Council doesn't mean I can't fight for my
beliefs and for what is right and just. There seems to be a lot of fuss over
this most recent constitutional amendment on enrollment. I personally
believe most of it is nitpicking. Whether it's one issue or four or five, the
Tribal Council is dealing with it how they see it best. The amendment in
1999 was also a bundle but nobody seems to be criticizing that council.
I see one issue at stake in this constitutional amendment, and it is
very simple: Enrollment justice. As somebody on the Restoration Roll,
it would be very easy for me to sit back and let things take their course.
My family is safe. But it wouldn't be right. This Tribe would not exist if
there hadn't been people thinking about future generations, and not just
themselves.' This Tribe formed so we could be a united people and look
out for one another. Most importantly, when this Tribe was restored, we
were all equal.
That all changed with the 1999 amendment. Now, not everybody gets
to pass on their Grand Ronde blood the same. Only some of us do. And
that is a shame.
The amendment we have before us is not perfect. There may not be any
language that can address all enrollment issues, because they will change
with time. But the newest version we get to vote on will reverse a lot of
the inequity and heartache caused by the 1999 amendment. It does so
in a way that specifically prevents a rapid influx of people, so if you are
hearing any wild rumors about floodgates and less per capita then take a
better look at the language.
No, it may not be perfect. But there might not be another proposal that
balances the concerns of everybody. More importantly, it might be our last
chance to fix this problem for awhile.
That's why I am voting "yes" and urging you to do the same.
Wink Soderberg
Roll 777
See page 10 for more letters.
WW"
: ConfederatedTribes of Grand Ronde
201 1 Annual Education Division Open House
Wednesday
Oct. 5
5:30-7:30 p.m.
An opportunity to visit:
Head Start Preschool
Youth Education-K-12
Kindergarten Chinuk
Wawa Language
Immersion Program
Adult Education
Programs
tv'""' liJ jj imjf ljj Q Tribal Library
(J Join us for a free BBQ dinner and great
mversation in tne in Dai uym at sisu p.m.
Prizes and a BIG book giveaway!!!
9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347
All are welcome, children must be accompanied by an adult.
mil
nnrnnrn
I ! 1
NIa..a A.J00
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
O Twitter: CTGRgov
Facebook: Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
SIOBHAN TAYLOR
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
DIRECTOR
503-879-1920
itoMun.uyloigrjndronde.ort
SCARLETT HOLTZ
PUBLICATIONS
SECRETARY
503-879-1453
scarieo.holagrandronde.org
GEORGE VALDEZ
GRAPHIC DESIGN
SPECIALIST
503-879-1416
george.valdezgrandronde.org
VALERIE COX
CENTRAL PHONES
503-879-1447
valerle.coxgrandronde.org
KRISTEN RAVIA
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
SECRETARY
503-879-1418
krinen.ravlafrandroride.org
JUSTIN PHILLIPS
PAGE DESIGNER
503-879-2190
)ustln.philllpsgrandronde.org
DEAN RHODES
PUBLICATIONS
COORDINATOR
503-879-1463
dtjn.rhodesirandrondc.orf
RON KARTEN
STAFF WRITER
503-879-4663
ron.kartengrandronde.org
MICHELLE ALAIMO CAR LA MAY
PHOTOJOURNALIST CENTRAL PHONES
503-879-1961 503-879-1447
mkhelle.jlalmogrjndronde.org cjru.roberogrjndronde.org
DEADLINE DATE ISSUE DATE
Wednesday, Oct 5 Oct. 1 5
Thursday, Oct. 20 Nov. 1
Friday, Nov. 4 Nov. 1 5
Friday, Nov. 18 Dec. 1
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
2011-12 Tribal Council
1-800-422-0232 councilgrandronde.org
Cheryle A. Kennedy Chris Mercier
Tribal Chairwoman ext. 2305
eXk 2352 chris.merciergrandronde.org
cheryle.kennedygrandronde.org Q june Sherer
D Reyn Leno ext. 1 444
Tribal Vice Chair june.seII-sherergrandronde.org
ext. 2399 q Toby McClary
reyn.lenograndronde.org 4555
O Jack Giffen Jr. toby.mcclarygrandronde.org
Tribal Secretary Kathleen Tom
ext. 2300 - ext. 1 777
jack.giffengrandronde.org kathleen.tomgrandronde.org
Steve Bobb Sr. Valerie Sheker
ext. 2353 ext. 2355
steve.bobbgrandronde.org val.shekergrandronde.org