2
DECEMBER 15, 2012
Smoke Signals
NOTICE Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Maatings
DATE TIME
Wednesday, Dec.. 19 4 p.m.
Wednt'Hday, Jan.. 2 4 p.m.
Pirate note that the Be timet and date are subject to change if needed.
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Dear fellow Tribal members:
I hope everyone enjoyed our 29th Restoration Celebration and Thanksgiv
ing holiday with family and friends. As we look back on 2012, 1 think we
have a lot to be thankful for and celebrate. The Restoration Celebration,
Tribal Christmas Party and Veterans Auction and Dinner were well-attended
and it was great to see everyone.
I want to personally thank all of the Tribe's members and friends who
rallied together to defeat Oregon Ballot Measures 82 and 83. It was a good
day for the Tribe and for Oregon.
As your Chair, I want to take this opportunity to update everyone on
some of the things happening within the Tribe, as well as some of the things
Tribal Council has been working on to come in the next few months.
Housing: Elder Housing Phase II is open and residents are moving in.
The project included 20 Elder units and three grandfamily unit9. Tribal
Elders will be enjoying the new units for the holidays.
TERO Ordinance: Tribal Council has been reviewing the ordinance and
it is likely that it will be out for a first reading after the first of the year.
It is the hope that this ordinance will help to increase job opportunities
for Tribal members, both in employment and contracting.
Tribal Council Ethics: Tribal Council has been reviewing and discussing
the implementation of new ethics provisions. The new provisions will be
coming out soon for comment.
Enrollment Audit: Phase I of the Enrollment Audit is complete. The au
ditors will be meeting with Tribal Council toward the end of the month
to discuss its findings.
Constitutional Amendments: Tribal Council is also discussing the
potential for some future Constitutional Amendments involving term
limits and other issues that membership has discussed in the past. I will
continue to keep the membership updated on these issues.
Efficiency Cuts: As many of you may be aware, we have made cuts at
Spirit Mountain Casino and in Tribal government for efficiency. We
believe it is our responsibility to constantly evaluate for efficiency and
make changes as necessary. We hope these changes will prove to be
positive in 2013.
Health Insurance: Our Tribal insurance premiums are a great expense to
the Tribe and in the interest of efficiency, if at all possible and if Tribal
members have an alternative resource for health insurance available, I
encourage the use of alternative insurance in order to lessen our health
care expenses.
Reservation Amendment: Tribal Council has been working hard in 2012
for the passage in Congress of our Reservation Amendment, which would
allow us to take property that we own within the boundaries of our pre
existing Reservation directly into Reservation status, which saves us a
great deal of time and money. It is our hope and expectation that this
amendment will pass in the early part of 2013.
Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry
Christmas and here's to another great year in 2013 as we will be celebrat
ing our 30th year since Restoration. As I recently stated at the Restoration
Celebration, be proud to be Grand Ronde Tribal members and be thankful
for all we receive.
Hayu Masi,
Reynold Leno
Tribal Chairman
New Year's Eve Powwow scheduled
A New Year's Eve Powwow will be held starting at 8 p.m. Monday,
Dec. 31, in the Tribal gym.
Host drums will be the Woodsman, West Coast Boys and other
drums to be announced. The evening will include dancing, singing
and bringing in 2013. Attendees are asked to bring noise makers
for the countdown to midnight. For more information, contact Brian
Krehbiel at 503-879-4639 or Shannon Stanton at 503-879-1489.
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Tribal offices will be closing on Monday, Dec. 24, at noon and closed
on Tuesday, Dec. 25, in observance of Christmas. Offices also will be
closing on Monday, Dec. 31, at noon and closed on Tuesday, Jan. 1, in
observance of New Year's Day.
General Council meeting
Sunday, Jan. 6 11 a.m.
Tribal Community Center
PUBLICATIONS OFFICE
96 1 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
Twitter: CTGRgov
Facebook: Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
SIOBHAN TAYLOR
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
DIRECTOR
503-879-1920
stobhjn.uytortfrandrondc.orf
SCARLETT HOLTZ
PUBLICATIONS
SECRETARY
503-879-1453
sc1tt.holtigrindrondc.orf
GEORGE VALDEZ
GRAPHIC DESIGN
SPECIALIST
503-879-1416
grorgr.wldfigrxidronde.org
CHELSEA CLARK
ACTING PUBLIC
AFFAIRS SECRETARY
503-879-1418
cbehea.cUrt (dgrandronde.org
JUSTIN PHILLIPS
PAGE DESIGNER
503-879-2190
Ktttln.phllllpsgrandronde.org
MICHELLE ALAIMO
PHOTOJOURNALIST
503-879-1961
mkhelfe.alalmogrindronde.org
DEAN RHODES
PUBLICATIONS
COORDINATOR
503-879-1463
dcan.nodesgrandronde.org
RON KARTEN
STAFF WRITER
503-879-4663
ron.kJrtrngrjrtdronde.org
VALERIE COX
CENTRAL PHONES
503-879-1447
valerle.coxgrandronde.org
DEADLINE DATE
ISSUE DATE
Thursday, Dec. 20 Jan. I
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-mall 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.
c
Members of: Native American Journalists Association
The Associated Press
Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association
2012-13 Tribal Council
1 -800-422-0232 councilgrandronde.org
Reyn Leno Chris Mercier
Tribal Chairman ext. 2305
ext. 2399 chris.merdergrandronde.org
reyn.lenograndronde.org n June $herer
Jack Giffen Jr. - ext. 1 444
Tribal Vice Chair june.sherergrandronde.org
ext. 2300 n Cheryle a. Kennedy
iack.giffengrandronde.org ex(. 2352
Toby McClary cheryIe.kennedygrandronde.org
Tribal Secretary q Kathleen Tom
ext. 4555 ext j 777
toby.mcclarygrandronde.org kathJeen.tomgrandronde.org
D Steve Bobb Sr. 0 jon A George
ext. 2353 ext. 2355
steve.bobbgrandronde.org jon.georgegrandronde.org