Smoke Signals
NOTICE Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Meetings
DATE TIME
Wednesday, Nov. 23 10 a.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 7 . 5 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 21 5 p.m.
Please note that these times and dates are subject to change if needed.
General Council meeting
Sunday, Dec. 4 11 a.m.
Tribal Community Center
2 NOVEMBER 15,2011
Dear Smoke Signals:
I am writing a letter in great concern for our Tribal members who work
at the casino. In the past few years, I've noticed that a lot of our Tribal
members are getting treated poorly and not being hired full-time.
My son, who went through the blackjack class successfully, had to wait
over six months to be hired, and then only part-time because he never
knew all the games.
The casino was created to help all Tribal members to better themselves,
but working part-time they cannot even pay bills and rent, much less
improve their lives.
I would like to know why these things are happening. It's very discour
aging to all Tribal members because they also lose out on the casino's
benefits (medical, PTO time-off).
Victor Cureton
Roll 104
Dear Smoke Signals:
I would like to thank the Sheridan Correctional Facility and its staff for
the Nov. 9 Tribute to Our Veterans" event.
Thank you to Warden Jeff Thomas and the rest of his staff for honoring
local veterans in the West Valley since 1999.
Gene LaBonte
Roll 348
Carl Lambert
Dear Smoke Signals:
To the many, many people who helped, who were there for us during our
time of loss: We cannot thank you enough. There are not enough words to
convey our appreciation for all of the special touches added to the celebra
tion of Nora Kimsey's life.
We thank you each and every individual person for all of the beautiful
flowers and all of your special thoughts and prayers.
Foremost, we thank our Tribal Council for respectfully honoring Nora
Kimsey and her 102 years of loving and caring for our Tribe and the vast
growth we continually lived through since relocation. From dirt roads, to
plank roads, to graveled roads, to paved roads, even a highway and now
sidewalks. From the small trailer located on the cemetery grounds, our
original land base, to every building and every piece of land in our hold
ings today.
Lots of special thanks go to Kristi DeLoe and the cooks and kitchen help.
Also, Bonnie Tom and the Wellness staff and servers. Thank you to the
Elders and Culture committees and to everyone who helped set up and
take down tables and chairs and those who helped clean up.
Thank you to the singers, the speakers, the drummers and the several
hundreds of people who celebrated Nora Kimsey's life.
Margaret Provost
and all of Nora's family
Roll 645
Tribal offices will be closed on Tuesday, Nov. 22, in observance of
Restoration Day. Offices also will be closing on Wednesday, Nov. 24,
at noon and closed on Thursday, Nov. 25, and Friday, Nov. 26, in
observance of Thanksgiving.
Health & Wellness Center to
request patient photo ID
The registration staff at the Grand Ronde Health & Wellness Cen
ter will begin requesting patient photo ID when patients present to
the clinic beginning Nov. 15, 2011. This is in an effort to reduce the
risk of identity theft and fraud. Staff will scan the ID and attach it
electronically to the patient's account. It will be referenced on future
visits to ensure that services are being provided to the proper indi
viduals. Patients should be prepared to present their ID when they
come to their next clinic visit. Acceptable photo ID includes driver's
license, Tribal ID or employee ID. Acceptable alternatives include
Social Security card, certified birth certificate or voter registration
card. If the patient is a minor, the patient's parentlegal guardian
is to bring the information listed above. D
Smote SBgivite
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
Q Twitter: CTGRgov
Facebook: Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
SIOBHAN TAYLOR
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
DIRECTOR
503-879-1920
stobtun.uykxfrindrondc.orf
SCARLETT HOLTZ
PUBLICATIONS
SECRETARY
503-879-1453
KJrtta.hotofrjndronde.orf
GEORGE VALDEZ
GRAPHIC DESIGN
SPECIALIST
503-879-1416
george.vjldezfrndronde.orf
VALERIE COX
CENTRAL PHONES
503-879-1447
vjlerte.coxUJrKlrondc.org
KRISTIN RAVIA
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
SECRETARY
503-879-1418
krttten.rjvugrjndronde.orf
JUSTIN PHILLIPS
PAGE DESIGNER
503-879-2190
kBtln.phllllpfgrjndronde.Ofi
MICHELLE ALAIMO
PHOTOJOURNALIST
503-879-1961
inkhelte.jbirnogrjndronde.orf
DEADLINE DATE
DEAN RHODES
PUBLICATIONS
COORDINATOR
503-879-1463
dejn.rhodeigrjndronde.org
RON KARTEN
STAFF WRITER
503-879-4663
ron.lunengrjndroncte.ort
CAR LA MAY
CENTRAL PHONES
503-879-1447
cjrU.robemgrjndronde.orf
ISSUE DATE
Friday, Nov. 18 Dec. I
Friday, Dec. 2 Dec. 15
0&B37
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-mall 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: Nadve American Journalists Association
The Associated Press
Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association
201 1-12 Tribal Council
1-800-422-0232 councilgrandronde.org
D Cheryle A. Kennedy Chris Merder
Tribal Chairwoman ext. 2305
ext. 2352 chris.merciergrandronde.org
cheryie.kennedygrandronde.org Q june jnerer
Reyn Leno ext. 1 444
Tribal Vice Chair June.seli-sherergrandronde.org
- ext. 2399 n Toby Mcciary
reyn.lenograndronde.org ext. 4555
Jack Giffen Jr. toby.mcclarygrandronde.org
Tribal Secretary Kathleen Tom
-ext. 2300 -ext. 1777
Jack.giffengrandronde.org kathieen.tomgrandronde.org
D Steve Bobb Sr. a Valorie Sheker
- ext. 2353 ext. 2355
steve.bobbgrandronde.org val.shekergrandronde.org