Smoke Signals 7
NOVEMBER 1,2011
Tribal Council endorses
Kalapuyan name for bridge
By Dean Rhodes
Smoke Signals editor
Tribal members driving Interstate 5 between Springfield and Eugene
will soon be seeing another Kalapuyan name on their travels.
Tribal Council endorsed on Sept. 28 a proposal to name a new bridge
"Whilamut Passage Bridge." Whilamut is a Kalapuyan word meaning,
"Where the river ripples and runs fast."
Endorsement of the name by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
was the final step before the proposed name is taken to the Oregon Trans
portation Commission, where the Oregon Department of Transportation
will state that it supports the name.
According to David Sonnichsen, a member of the Oregon Department
of Transportation I-5WRB Community Advisory Group, the name was
proposed by Douglas Beauchamp of the Lane Arts Council.
The Whilamut Passage theme is intended to guide aesthetic enhance
ments related to the bridge, such as cultural and historical interpretation,
naturescaping and art.
In May, the Oregon Department of Transportation said that three Na-tive-themed
works will be installed before bridge completion in late 2013.
The works will be visible to motorists from the freeway.
Sonnichsen said the name refers to the "nexus of movement associated
with the bridge area: vehicles on roadways, pedestrian and bicycle paths,
the railroad, water and aquatic life in the river and riparian corridor, and
the passage of time itself."
The name has been endorsed by the Eugene and Springfield city councils,
the Lane County Commission, the Metropolitan Policy Committee of Lane
County, Oregon Geographic Names Board, each state legislator represent
ing Eugene and Springfield and Oregon Congressman Peter DeFazio.
In August, Tribal Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy and Tribal member
and Cultural Resources Manager David Lewis attended a public event on
the bridge with DeFazio.
Sonnichsen said the name will be considered by the Oregon Transporta
tion Commission at a meeting later this year or in early 2012. R
Elders Christmas Bazaar
set for Nov. 18-19
The annual Elders Christmas Bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, Nov. 18-19, in the Tribal gym. Forty tables are avail
able for $20 per table. In addition, there will be a snack bar and prizes.
For a vendor application, contact Elder Activity Assistant Daniel Ham
at 503-879-2233 or Daniel.hamgrandronde.org. B
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Oonaii0m go to Grand fZondt Toad "Bank
Ad created by George Valdez
Adult Foster Program
"A Place To Call Home"
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'" The Tribe's Adult Foster Care lodges are committed to offering quality
care to our Elders and helping them remain as independent as possible,
while providing the personalized assistance they need. At our lodges, a
wide range of services is available in a comfortable setting where privacy
is respected and maximum independence is supported. For information,
contact the Adult Foster Program director at 503-879-1694. H
Kennedy named to Hospital
Foundation board in Dallas
Tribal Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy was named to the board of
directors of West Valley Hospital Foundation. Kennedy, who served as
Tribal Health Director for 15 years, lives in Dallas.
The Hospital Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to rais
ing, managing and distributing funds to help West Valley Hospital provide
healthcare services to Polk County residents. In 2010, the foundation
awarded $49,000 in support to various projects, included the Connections
van, college scholarships and mammograms for patients in need.
Notice of Grand Ronde
Constitutional Election
The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Siletz Agency, will be conducting an elec
tion to amend the Constitution of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand
Ronde Community of Oregon. THIS WILL BE A FEDERALLY CON
DUCTED ELECTION, NOT A TRIBAL ELECTION. A voter registration
packet will be sent out to all Tribal members of voting age, who will have
to register to vote in this federal election. If you do not register specifically
for this election, you will not be eligible to vote. A voter registration form
will be included in the voter registration packet. This notice is to inform
you of the federal election, the dates set for conducting the election, and
the importance of registering specially for this election. The following dates
have been established for conducting the election:
September 16, 2011: Voter registration packet and registration forms
sent to all Tribal members of voting age.
October 17, 2011: Registration forms must be postmarked or received
by the BIA Siletz Agency on or before this date. Registration therefore
closes at 4 p.m. on this date. If you do not register specially for this elec
tion, you will not be eligible to vote.
October 21, 2011: The official list of registered voters will be posted in
alphabetical order on this date at various public locations for review.
October 26, 2011: Ballots sent to all eligible registered voters. These ballots
must be returned to the BIA in the postage-paid return envelopes provided.
November 1, 2011: End of dispute period for names on official registered
voters list.
November 15, 2011: Election Day. Ballots must be received by the BIA
Siletz Agency Office no later than NOON on this day.
The election results will be posted on the front doors of the Grand Ronde
Governance Center, Health and Wellness Center, Community Center,
Education Building, Elders Activity Center, and the BIA Siletz Agency
building immediately upon completion of the ballot count.
Details of how to register and due dates for the election are included in
the voter registration packet.
NOTE: If you have changed your name or address and have not informed
the Tribe, please notify the Tribal Enrollment Office. B