2 MAY 15, 2012
Smoke Signals
NOTICE Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Meetings
DATE TIME
Wednesday, May 16 5 p.m.
Wednesday, May 30 5 p.m.
Please note that these timet and dates are subject to change if needed.
General Council meeting
Sunday, June 24 11 a.m.
Tribal Community Center
Tribal Council nominations
Dear Smoke Signals:
Hello. I am an American living in Canada. I was born on the Tulalip
reservation although I am Chinook. Five years ago I was treated for lym
phoma, cancer of the lymph nodes, and my cancer had been in remission.
Then a few months ago, my doctor said the cancer had returned and that
the only treatment that could save my life was a stem cell transplant
from a donor.
Unfortunately, no match was found for me in the nationalinternational
stem cell bank of 17 million donors. The problem is I am one-eighth Chi
nook and American Indians are very underrepresented in the stem cell
bank, and I am going to change that.
The doctor told me a part-Indian donor was needed, a person whose blood
was a good match for mine. A person donating must be between 18 and 60.
Anyone could determine if they are a match by having the inside of their
mouth swabbed, simple as that. Then when a match is found, that person
is asked to have some blood drawn, the same as giving blood. A person
can get swabbed in a hospital or Red Cross venue or e-mail me and I will
send a swab kit. A person swabs the inside of their cheek and mails the
swab back the address, etc., is provided in the kit.
I am hoping individuals on American reservations or affiliated with one
will be willing to get swabbed to see if they are a match. Many forms of
cancer and leukemia can be cured with a stem cell transplant.
My Web site is jimpetitneedsyourhelp.com.
Our goal is to have every American Indian between 18 and 60 years get
swabbed. And even if you are not a match for me, your stem cell data will
be in the bank and sometime in the future that could save the life of a
child or adult who has American Indian blood.
Thank you so much for any help you can offer. I wish blessings for you
and your people.
James Petit
petit77earthlink.net
Montreal, Canada
Dear Tribal members:
Ballots for the upcoming Grand Ronde constitutional amendment elec
tion are scheduled to be mailed on May 18, 2012, to all Tribal members
who registered for this special BIA-conducted vote.
There is only one question on the ballot. That question has to do with
amending our Tribe's Constitution to add provisions for a primary Tribal
Council election in the event more than 10 qualified candidates are nomi
nated to run for Tribal Council during the annual nomination process. Cur
rently, there is no provision for a primary Tribal Council election during
the Tribal Council election process that is held each year.
I will be voting "no" on the constitutional amendment question be
cause: A Tribal Council Election Survey was done in 2010. With this con
stitutional amendment election, the majority of the members of the
Tribal Council are totally ignoring the fact that in that survey a total
of 928 Tribal voters responded either "yes" (701) or "no" (227) to Ques
tion 2 of that survey, which was: "I support limiting the number of
three-year terms a council member may consecutively hold office."
A primary election will cost the Tribal government additional money
each year to conduct our Tribal Council elections when more than 10
qualified candidates are nominated to run for Tribal Council. I do not
want to face the possibility of having to vote twice for the same three
Tribal Council positions that would be up for election. I also feel that
our Tribal dollars can be spent in better ways.
A primary election would favor incumbents even more than a regular
election already does.
I urge all Tribal members who have registered for this special BIA
conducted constitutional amendment election to also vote "no" on the
constitutional amendment question.
However, regardless of how you vote, be sure to mark your ballot as soon
as you receive it and send it back in the postage-paid return envelope pro
vided with the ballot. The BIA Siletz Agency must receive your completed
ballot in the envelope provided by noon Wednesday, June 13, 2012. So a
fast turnaround is important if you want your vote to be counted.
Thank you for your time.
Leroy Good
Roll 892
See page 18 for more letters.
Tribal offices will be closing at noon Friday, May 25, and be closed
on Monday, May 28, in observance of Memorial Day.
PUBLICATIONS OFFICE
9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347
1-800-422-0232, FAX: 503-879-2173
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Facebook: Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
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503-879-1920
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DEADLINE DATE ISSUE DATE
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OteCBs?
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
2012 Tribal Council
1 -800-422-0232 councilgrandronde.org
Cheryle A. Kennedy Chris Mercier
Tribal Chairwoman ext. 2305
eXk 2352 chrls.merclergrandronde.org
cheryle.kennedygrandronde.org Q june 5nerer
D Reyn Leno ext. 1 444
Tribal Vice Chair june.sherergrandronde.org
- ext. 2399 q Toby McCIary
reyn.lenograndronde.org ext 4555
Jack Giffen Jr. toby.mcclarygrandronde.org
Tribal Secretary Kathleen Tom
-ext. 2300 - ext. 1777
iack.giffengrandronde.org kathleen.tomgrandronde.org
Steve Bobb Sr. Valorie Sheker
- ext. 2353 - ext. 2355
steve.bobbgrandronde.org val.shekergrandronde.org