Smoke Signals
NOTICE Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Meetings
DATE TIME
Wednesday, March 21 5 p.m.
Please note that these times and dates are subject to change if needed.
General Council meeting
Sunday, April 1 11 a.m.
Monarch Hotel & Convention Center
12566 S.E. 93rd Ave., Clackamas
2 MARCH 15, 2012
Dear Smoke Signals:
Let me begin by saying "thank you" to everyone reading this letter. Allow
me to share my heartfelt gratitude.
Every day we experience and express kindness, happiness, devotion, pride
and many other good moments. Whether it is a smile from a child, a loving
remark from a spouse or an achievement at work, we all have our good mo
ments. Moments such as these are valuable and we should remember them always.
Every now and then, good moments come together from the efforts of many
people, and they manage to have an effect on one young person. Such is the
case for my daughter, Hattie.
As a result of efforts from many people, Hattie and my family were granted
an once-in-a-lifetime privilege. Hattie was selected to be a central character for
a short biography on Nickelodeon Junior's (Nick Jr.) "Kids Around the World,"
which is a series of short videos about children from all parts of the world.
In October 2010, we were visited by producers, directors, writers and nu
merous audiovideo specialists for a two-day shoot. One year and four months
after shooting, Hattie's short video just recently aired on Nick Jr. We were
all so happy to see a little story about Hattie.
I want to take a moment of everyone's time to say thank you for all your
support, assistance, devotion, inquiries and friendliness regarding Hattie's
video. There are many friends and family who have given Hattie guidance and
support, assisting her to be a young person who is happy and outgoing. I can't
even begin to identify those who are so special to Hattie and my family. By
simply reading this letter, you are indirectly involved with Hattie's video by
you being a member of this community, a contributor to the activities within
this community or by being an interested reader of activities affecting this
community. You have all done so much to make Hattie's life a joy for her to
experience and share with the world.
As I have said many times before, "It truly takes a community to raise a
child." Thank you all so much.
John Mercier and Family
Roll 953
(Editor's note: The video can be viewed by visiting www.nickjr.
comvideo?timeOnlytrue&videoid114955.)
Dear fellow Tribal members:
It has been on my heart and mind to share with you a short story about
our Tribe. For nearly 30 years, 1954-1983, the federal and state govern
ments did not recognize our Tribe. It was a dark time in our history where
we lost so much of our culture and identity. Tribal families and members
were forced to move away and our tight-knit community was scattered but
not completely lost.
In the early 1970s, a vision was birthed to have our Tribe restored. There
were a few of us who worked tirelessly. We expended our own resources and
time finding' our scattered Tribe so we could show Congress that we still
existed. I remember one time when I had driven to Warm Springs to meet
with their Tribal Council and other Grand Ronde people and lost my purse.
We ended up picking up cans along the roadside and cashing them in for gas
money so we could get home, back to Grand Ronde.
It was hard work that required us to come together and unite with a com
mon goal. I was not alone; there were many who got involved and we all
struggled together to see our Tribe restored. Because of these many efforts,
our Tribe was restored, re-recognized and we now have all that we do; a Tribe,
an identity, Tribal lands, health benefits, per capita, education for our youth,
retirement for us Elders and many other benefits.
It was critically important for each of us to get involved. It was our duty
to work for the Restoration of our Tribe and if we had not made the neces
sary commitment we would not enjoy the Tribe we have today. We, as Tribal
members, need to come together as one to resolve our enrollment issues for
the path toward our future Tribal members.
It is once again critically important for the membership to respond to this
call to action. As a fellow Tribal member and Tribal Elder, I ask that every
Grand Ronde Tribal member, that YOU now make the same commitment to
get involved and do the following:
1. Register to vote in Tribal elections with the Grand Ronde Election
Board;
2. Vote in Grand Ronde Tribal Council elections;
3. Register and vote in any BIA constitutional elections.
It's your duty. It's your responsibility. I fear without your vote and your
voice our Tribe could once again cease to
exist. Just like we worked for Restoration
for the benefit of our children, our children's
children and great-grandchildren. I implore
you to act now for your children and all future
descendants.
To view my short video and to download
a Signature Verification Form, please go to
this site http:wp.meplia2z-2k or scan the
QR Code at right with your smart phone's
QR code reader.
Thank you,
Margaret Provost
Roll 645
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
lktvn.uytorfrindronk.ori
SCARLETT HOLTZ
PUBLICATIONS
SECRETARY
503-879-1 4S3
KjrtctLhohilgrjndroiKto.ort
GEORGE VALDEZ
GRAPHIC DESIGN
SPECIALIST
503-879-1416
torgt.vJldei$grindrond.or
VALERIE COX
CENTRAL PHONES
503-879-1447
vakrte.coigttndrondt.ori
KRISTEN RAVIA
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
SECRETARY
503-879-1418
krfenn.rivb$grandrondt.oni
JUSTIN PHILLIPS
PAGE DESIGNER
503-879-2190
usdn.phinrpsl$pdrondc.or
MICHELLE ALAIMO
PHOTOJOURNALIST
503-879-1961
mkMte.jUrnogrindrofKte.orf.
DEAN RHODES
PUBLICATIONS
COORDINATOR
503-879-1463
dNn.rtKdsrandronde.oif
RON KARTEN
STAFF WRITER
503-879-4663
ron.lurtenQKrandrondt.org
CARLA MAY
CENTRAL PHONES
503-879-1447
cjrU.roberts(gr indronde.org
DEADLINE PATE ISSUE DATE
Tuesday, March 20 April I
Thursday, April 5 April 15
Friday, April 20 May 1
ftfltrenfei) 03057
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.
3
Members of: Native American Journalists Association
The Associated Press
Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association
2012 Tribal Council
1-800-422-0232 councilgrandronde.org
Cheryle A. Kennedy Chris Mercier
Tribal Chairwoman ext. 2305
ext. 2352 chris.merdergrandronde.org
cheryle.kennedygrandronde.org Q june jnerer
Reyn Leno ext. 1 444
Tribal Vice Chair june.sherergrandronde.org
- ext. 2399 D Toby McClary
reyn.Ienograndronde.org eXk 4555
Jack Giffen Jr. toby.mcclarygrandronde.org
Tribal Secretary a Kathleen Tom
-ext. 2300 -ext. 1777
iack.giffengrandrpnde.org kathleen.tomgrandronde.org
D Steve Bobb Sr. a Valorie Sheker
-ext. 2353 - ext. 2355
steve.bobbgrandronde.org vaI.shekergrandronde.org