Smoke Signals 15
MAY 15,2012
THUDS os GDu IbesS js)Ib O'we ewsirlhiadl'
CELEBRATION continued
from front page
community organizations that can
respond to the changing needs of
our communities."
George introduced Tribal Council
members, Community Fund and
board members, as well as former
Community Fund directors Angie
Blackwell and Shelley Hanson
Sneed.
"This is the best job I've ever
had," said longtime board member
and current Board President Sho
Dozono. "We invest in you," he
said of the recipients, "and you do
the work. There must be tens of
thousands out there that do the
actual work."
Kitzhaber thanked the Commu
nity Fund for "a decade and a half
of critical funding" for the state.
"Grand Ronde has shown creativity
and leadership in providing valu
able resources. As Governor, I am
grateful for these gifts."
Eight from the Community Fund
Board of Directors selected re
cipients of special $5,000 grants,
as follows:
Former Congresswoman Darlene
Hooley: Chess for Success, a pro
gram to involve youth in the game
of chess;
Tribal Council Vice Chair Reyn
Leno: A "jaws of life" for the Til
lamook Fire Department, which
covers an area with notoriously
difficult roads and supported by
some 50 volunteers;
Tribal Council member Steve
Bobb Sr.: Tina Miller Teen Cen
ter in Willamina, a place where
Willamina teens can go "to know
that they matter, that they're
cared for and that they're loved,"
in Bobb's words;
Dozono: PHAME Academy, the
ater for adults with developmen
tal disabilities;
RonReibach: CARE of Tillamook,
a one-stop shopping store for basic
needs like rental and utility assis
tance, and eviction prevention;
Tribal Council member Toby Mc
Clary: I Have a Dream Founda
tion, enrolling children to invest
themselves in their future;
Secretary of State Kate Brown:
Oregon Law Center, serving the
poor, including farmworkers;
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Photos by Michelle Alaimo
Spirit Mountain Community Fund Board of Trustees Chairman Sho Dozono,
left, talks about the PHAME Academy after presenting a $5,000 check to
its executive director, Stephen Marc Beaudoin, during the Fund's 1 5th
anniversary celebration at Spirit Mountain Casino on Friday, May 1 1. Each
of the eight Fund board members chose a non-profit organization to give a
special grant to at the event.
VjstiheJnDes-
page to see more photos
in a context of love mixed with
contempt. He called himself the
most dangerous of combinations, a
liberal Indian.
In his formal address, he talked
about growing up poor on the Spo
kane Reservation, and how and why
he got out, much of it the story told
in his latest book, 'The Absolutely
True Diary of a Part-Time Indian."
In response to questions, he
took on the
Chip Lazenby: Self-Enhancement,
Inc., helping African American
youth realize their potential.
"The Tribe has built a network of
partnerships, of projects that make
Oregon a safer, healthier, more re
silient and inspired place to live,"
said George.
Elected officials in attendance
included Jennifer Wheeler, Polk
County Commissioner; Will Tucker,
Linn County Commissioner; Dick
Anderson, Lincoln City Mayor; and
Jim Thompson, State Representa
tive from District 23.
Alexie has always been the kind
of speaker who takes no prisoners
nation's immigration woes: "I find
it hilarious that this nation of
immigrants has trouble with im
migration." He took on Indian mascots: "I
think Indians should have white
mascots, like 'the Messiahs: ham
mer them, hammer them, hammer
them!' "
He took on gay marriage, saying
this to those who oppose it: "You're
actually punishing love and a com
mitment to fidelity." He called the
Declaration of Independence "the
greatest document in history" for
championing individual freedoms
that "still left out everybody but
property-holding white men." Giv
ing gays the right to marry, he said,
is a step in the same direction as
ending slavery, giving women the
vote and recognizing the rights and
humanity of Indians. "If you want
to stop gay sex, all you have to do
is let them get married."
From the audience, National
Indian Child Welfare Association
Executive Director Terry Cross
said the night was "a wonderful,
educational event in many ways.
The presentation was so inclusive.
Sherman Alexie did a wonderful
job teaching in a way people under
stand, with humor, so people could
feel it deeply."
"It was empowering, enlightening
and exciting," said 2008-09 Hatfield
Fellow Francene Ambrose. "It's
amazing what we've done in one
generation," she said. "I can't wait
to see where the next six genera
tions take us."
"I can't believe it's been 15 years,"
said Tribal Council member Chris
Mercier. "It would be cool to review
what a difference we've made in the
lives of people across the state. We
give back to the community, and
we mean it."
"I was truly humbled and felt
very blessed that we are able to do
this," said Kennedy.
"The people and the organiza
tions in this room undertake their
work because they believe in an
Oregon that isn't here just yet,"
said George. "The Confederated
Tribes of Grand Ronde believe in
that Oregon, too, and on behalf of
the Tribe, I thank you for your work
to make that Oregon real." B
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Tribal member and Grand Ronde Canoe Family member
Mary Lopez dances during the cultural presentation portion
of the Spirit Mountain Community Fund 15th anniversary
celebration at Spirit Mountain Casino on Friday, May 11.
Writer, poet and storyteller Sherman Alexie (Spokane)
demonstrates a pose that Indian-themed toys came
in when he was a child as he speaks during the Spirit
Mountain Community Fund 1 5th anniversary celebration
at Spirit Mountain Casino on Friday, May 11.