Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 2012)
Smoke Signals 3 AUGUST 1,2012 Rejected casino concept returning to Oregon ballot By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor Like the spirits in "Poltergeist," they're back. Two measures that would amend the Oregon Constitution to allow pri vate casinos in the state and another that would specifically approve one going into the former Multnomah Greyhound Park in Wood Village have qualified for the November ballot, the secretary of state's office said. With a signature validity rate of 55.35 percent, the constitutional mea sure had 116,521 valid signatures, slightly more than the 116,284 required to qualify initiatives seeking to amend the constitution. The required companion measure that would allow a privately owned commercial casino at the old greyhound racetrack in the east Multnomah County city of Wood Village qualified with 90,720 signatures verified out of 154,159 submitted. Both ballot measures are being sought by backers of a proposed private casino in Wood Village, which would be the first in Oregon not operated by a Native American Tribe. In 2010, private casino backers failed to obtain enough signatures to put the constitutional amendment measure on the ballot. However, they did place a measure on the ballot that would have located the casino in Wood Village and Oregonians soundly rejected the idea 68 percent to 32 percent. The measure was opposed by all nine Oregon Tribes, who coalesced together under the Oregon Tribal Gaming Alliance. Currently, the Oregon Constitution prohibits private casinos. Only the state's nine federally recognized Tribes are allowed to operate casinos with federal permission and under compacts signed with the state. The new constitutional amendment is backed by the same two Lake Oswego businessmen and financially supported by the same Canadian investment firm that pushed the failed 2010 effort. A private casino in the metropolitan Portland area will have detrimen tal effects on all of Oregon's Tribal casinos, but most particularly Spirit Mountain Casino owned by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Revenues generated by Tribal casinos are funneled back into Tribal governmental programs and help pay for Tribal member health care, education, cultural efforts, Elder pensions and other worthwhile programs that federal allocations fail to fund. The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde also uses casino revenues to support Spirit Mountain Community Fund, which has given more than $56 million to charitable organizations since it was founded in 1997. To build a private casino in Wood Village, supporters will need to get both measures approved by voters during the November election, and then would need the residents of Wood Village to approve the idea as well. Elders' garage sale seeking donations Tribal Elders are regularly seeking donations for fundraising garage sales. To donate an item or items, contact Tribal Elders Linda Brandon at 971-267-0918 or Duane Wheeler at 541-992-3254. D Committee & Special Event Board meeting days and times Below is the most current information on the meeting days and times for Tribal Committees and Special Event Boards: Ceremonial Hunt Board meets as needed. Chair: Shonn Leno. Cultural Trust Board meets at 4 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month in Modular No. 2. Chair: Peni McDaniel. Culture Committee meets at 1 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month in Modular No. 3. Chair: TBD. Education Committee meets at 5:15 p.m. on the first Monday of the month in the Adult Education Building. Chair: Jon George. Elders' Committee meets at 10 a.m. the third Wednesday of the month in the Elders' Activity Center. Chair: Gladys Hobbs. Enrollment Committee meets quarterly in Room 204 of the Governance Building. Acting Chair: Robert Schmid. Fish & Wildlife Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at the Natural Resources Building. Chair: Harold Lyon. Health Committee meets at 10 a.m. the second Wednesday of the month in the Tribal Wellness Center. Acting Chair: Patti Tom-Martin. Powwow Special Event Board meets at 5 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at the Tribal Community Center. Chair: Dana Ainam. Rodeo Special Event Board meets at 6 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at the Tribal Rodeo Office. Chair: Harold Lyon. Social Services Committee meets at 4 p.m. the second Monday of the month in the Social Services Conference Room. Chair: Jenny Sanchez. Timber Committee meets at 5 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at the Natural Resources Building. Chair: Bob Mercier. Veterans Special Event Board meets at 4 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of the month in the Tribal Community Center. Chair: Dakota Whitecloud. Jooairmiey cresft stojp w -1 Photos by Michelle Alaimo Runners with tha Paaca & Dignity Journey are led to the Tribal gymnasium by a group that mat tham upon thair arrival in Grand Ronda on Wednesday, July 1 8. The six runners' stop in Grand Ronde included a welcome ceremony, dinner in the Community Center and they spent the night in the gym. The next morning they continued to Siletz on their journey. Tribal Elder Carol Logan, front right, ld the preparation for the runners' visit. This year's Peace & Dignity Journey is dedicated to bringing awareness about the importance of water to all of Mother Earth and Native communities. The runners will meet up with their South American counterparts on Nov. 28 in Guatemala. t mt it u j a or j .1 . . Runners with the Peace & Dignity Journey lay out sacred staffs they carry with them on the journey before a welcome ceremony in the Tribal gymnasium on Wednesday, July 18. Youth Center seeks volunteers The Tina Miller Community Center Thrift Store, 110 B. St., Willamina, which helps fund the after-school and weekend youth community center located in the old high school gym, is seeking volunteers who can help run the store, in addition to donated items and customers. The store accepts clothes, books, knickknacks, etc., as donations. It is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and closed on Sunday and Monday. Donations also can be left at the Wildwood Hotel and Restaurant in Willamina. For more information on volunteering, call 503-876-7897. The youth center and thrift store that funds it are nonprofit and 100 percent self-sustaining and volunteer-run. Dr. Ashley Nunley Chiropractor at the CTGR-Portland Office 4 4445 SWBarburBlvd Suite 101 Portland, Or 97239 Wednesdays only 9 a.m. - Noon 1-3:40 p.m. J Call Mon-Fri Wellness Center 503-879-2002 or at the Portland office 503-235-4230 Tribal members with Skookum health plan i make your appointment now r. Mi Lj TV ,( V rw , Ad created by George Valdez
