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
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SIOBHAN TAYLOR
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
DIRECTOR
503-879-1920
sfobhan .uylorgrandronde.org
SCARLETT HOLTZ
PUBLICATIONS
SECRETARY
503-879-1453
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GEORGE VALDEZ
GRAPHIC DESIGN
SPECIALIST
503-879-1416
george.valdezgrandronde.org
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503-879-1447
valeiie.coxgrandronde.org
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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
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