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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 2012)
2 AUGUST 1,2012 Smoke Signals NOTICE Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Meetings DATE TIME Wednesday, Aug. 8 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22 5 p.m. Please note that these timet and dates are subject to change if needed. Chinuk Wawa classes offered The Tribe's Cultural Education Department offers adult Chinuk Wawa language classes from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday in Room 207 of the Tribal Education Building. Language classes can be taken for college credit or for fun. For more information, call 503-879-2249 or 503-437-4599. Klahowya nayka tillixam, Klahowya! I thought it was time I share a few thoughts concerning the low voter participation issue that has plagued our community over the years. This condition is the result of lack of understanding and poor education. I'm talking about Indian education and what it means to be an indigenous human being something so hard to be in this world of two worlds we live in. Being Indian isn't easy, but we have a vast amount of tools and knowl edge to pull from to help us and guide us. These guides are found in our traditions. Sadly, too few of our people have had little opportunity to learn or study these great gifts given by our ancestors. Sad because without the sharing and passing on of these traditional knowledges what I call the great way we hurt ourselves and run the risk of losing them. We lose too much more, what is left to say that we are Indian? So for you members who are disengaged for whatever reason and not voting you have a duty to do your part. Learn the traditions and you will discover all it means, what a gift it is to be a Native person. This ain't no free ride or right of birth; it takes work to be an Indian. It's the hardest thing you will ever do, but so full of beautiful blessings. We do not take without gifting back. Yes, that's part of those traditions. No more easy ride people, do you part! Walter F. Simmons Roll 2317 Dear Smoke Signals: Recently I received a postcard from a Tribal member, Brenda Tuomi. I don't know Brenda, who is running for Tribal Council, but she brought out an interesting fact: Only 33 percent of those eligible to vote actually vote in Tribal elections. One-third of the Tribe is determining what happens to all of us because that one-third votes. We can only hope that this elite one-third does their homework before they decide any issue. -.' '. In 2010, the Supreme Court issued the infamous "Citizens United" ruling where unlimited corporate funds can be used in elections. People decry this ruling because they say it means elections can be bought by whoever has the most money. I don't like the ruling, but the deeper meaning to me that is people are swayed by bright colors and loud, repetitive voices. Since we have to "live with" this ruling for now, we have to adjust and do research and dig deep for underlying motives on issues that have meaning in our lives. The same goes for Tribal elections: Can we trust that the one-third that decides Tribal issues have done their homework? Wouldn't it be better to do your own research and cast your own vote? Thanks to all of you who take the time to cast a thoughtful ballot. Judith Pettibone Roll 717 (Editor's note: Voter turnout in the 2011 Tribal Council election was 32.88 percent. In 2010, it was 29 percent.) See page 12 for more letters. 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 Q Twitter: CTGRgov Facebook: Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde SIOBHAN TAYLOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR 503-879-1920 sfobhan .uylorgrandronde.org SCARLETT HOLTZ PUBLICATIONS SECRETARY 503-879-1453 scarlen.holt2grandronde.org GEORGE VALDEZ GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALIST 503-879-1416 george.valdezgrandronde.org VALERIE COX CENTRAL PHONES 503-879-1447 valeiie.coxgrandronde.org KRISTEN RAVIA PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECRETARY 503-879-1418 kristen .ravlagrandronde.org JUSTIN PHILLIPS PAGE DESIGNER 503-879-2190 Justln.phl llipsgrandronde.org MICHELLE ALAIMO PHOTOJOURNALIST 503-879-1961 mkhelle.alalmograndronde.org DEAN RHODES PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR 503-879-1463 dean.rhodesgrandronde.org RON KARTEN STAFF WRITER 503-879-4663 ron.kartengrandronde.org CARLA MAY CENTRAL PHONES 503-879-1447 carla.robertsgrandronde.org DEADLINE DATE ISSUE DATE Monday, Aug. 6 Aug. 1 5 Monday, Aug. 20 Sept. I Wednesday, Sept. 5 Sept. 1 5 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 Correction Tribal Elder Eugene Hudson, 91, an Army veteran, is alive and well in Salem, Ore. He was reported to have been a Navy veteran and to have walked on in the Marcellus Norwest Memorial Veterans' Pow wow story in the July 15 issue. Smoke Signals regrets the errors. 503-879-5211 1-800-422-0: 2012 Tribal Council 1-800-422-0232 councilgrandronde.org Cheryle A. Kennedy Tribal Chairwoman ext. 2352 cheryle.kennedygrandronde.org D Reyn Leno Tribal Vice Chair ext. 2399 reyn.lenograndronde.org Jack Giffen Jr. Tribal Secretary ext. 2300 jack.giffengrandronde.org D Steve Bobb Sr. ext. 2353 steve.bobbgrandronde.org Chris Mercier ext. 2305 chris.merciergrandronde.org June Sherer ext. 1444 june.sherergrandronde.org Toby McClary ext. 4555 toby.mcclarygrandronde.org P Kathleen Tom ext. 1 777 kathleen.tomgrandronde.org Ad created by George Valdez
