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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (May 15, 2013)
4 V. 10 Smoke Signals MAY 15, 2013 ADO Tribal CoyoDciD memmlbeirs aeimdedl km 1 In';':--' Hi V GOVERNMENT DAY continued from front page f j rand Ronde Tribe oITitm cultural tla.sst'8 in Grand Rondo, Eugene and I'ortland. "We teach our children how to gather, to fish, to hunt, to make im portant items that they will use for their daily living," Kennedy .said. Other Tribal speakers discussed the spirituality of gathering roots, the resurrection of feather dancing in the Coquille Tribe and the need to teach all of Oregon's children about the state's Tribal history. Tribal Government Day began at 8:30 a.m. with Tribal cultural exhibits being erected by most of the Tribes on the second floor of the Capitol. The Grand Ronde exhibit, staffed by Public Affairs Director Siobhan Tuylor and Acting Administrative Assistant Chelsea Clark, featured copies of Smoke Signals, the Tribe's ceded lands map and handouts pre pared by the newly formed Land & Culture Department. Off to the side were picture collages of the Tribe's Chinuk Language Program. Land & Culture Department employees were out in force, in cluding Manager Jan Looking Wolf Reibach, Cultural Protection Program Compliance Technician Melisa Chandler, Ceded Lands Program Environmental Resource Specialist Brandy Humphreys and Cultural Education and Outreach Program Manager Kathy Cole. In addition, all nine Tribal Coun cil members attended the event. Tribal Council Chairman Reyn Leno carried in the Grand Ronde flag during the opening ceremony as the All Nations drum played. Shortly thereafter, Leno welcomed attendees to the traditional home lands of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. "As we look to celebrate our 30 years of Restoration since Termina tion this November, it is humbling to see how far we have come in such a relatively short amount of time," Leno said. Leno reminded attendees that Salem is part of the vast land ceded by the Grand Ronde Tribes as part of the Willamette Valley Treaty. "We hope today will give you a chance to learn something new about our culture, as well as an opportunity to appreciate our sov- I -. f wr V , i 2 rk r in Wb Photos by Michelle Alaimo Tribal Council Chairman Reyn Leno carries in the Tribal flag during the opening ceremony for Tribal Government Day at the State Capitol in Salem on Thursday, May 9. (Tor fH'i !i O 7 1 W IT. S7 V ?KJZ A group, including Grand Ronde Tribal Council members, watch as Gov. John Kitzhaber signs the proclamation to kick off American Indian Week in Oregon during Tribal Government Day at the State Capitol in Salem on Thursday, May 9. ereignty," Leno said. Later in the morning, Gov. John Kitzhaber signed a proclamation naming May 13-17 as American Indian Week in Oregon. "Teaching children today in the old ways of culture, dance and first foods strengthens them and guides their values as they become our leaders tomorrow," Kitzhaber said while reading the proclamation. "All Oregonians can learn from the rich heritage and proud history of Oregon's Native people that demon strate how far we have come. Our children today will soon become the next generation entrusted with the future of us as Elders, of our lands and of our state." Kitzhaber stumbled in trying to read the proclamation and bor rowed glasses from Tribal Council member Kathleen Tom to finish his recitation. "Sixty-six and almost blind," Kitzhaber joked as he accepted the glasses from Tom. "Governor, you look good in Ver sace," Tom quipped after Kitzhaber finished reading the proclamation. About 20 Grand Ronde drum mers and dancers led attendees out of the Governor's Office after the signing, down the stairs of the Capitol and outside, where they drummed and performed several dances for onlookers on the steps of the Capitol. Drummers included Bobby Mer cier, Gregg Leno, Greg Archuleta, Jordan Mercier, Nakoa Mercier, Kaikanim Mercier and Izaiah Fish er. Dancers included Kyoni Mer cier, Raven Harmon, SuSun Fisher, Andrea and Kayla Grijalva and Zoey Holsclaw. At noon, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and Spirit Moun tain Casino staff served a lunch of beef sliders with all the side fixings and salmon on crostini to state em ployees, legislators and guests. Other Tribal members and em ployees in attendance included General Manager Mark Johnston, Education Department Manager April Campbell, Acting Grand Ronde Tribal Housing Authority Director Shonn Leno, Housing Au thority Board member Alton Butler and Tribal lobbyist Justin Martin. Tribal Government Day also fea tured Siletz feather dancers, a fry bread-making demonstration by the Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest and a canoe and fishing exhibit from the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw. Tlhiritftl: sftOEre seeds voDajurntteeirs The Tina Miller Community Center Thrift Store, 110 B. St., Wil lamina, helps fund the after-school and weekend youth community center located in the old high school gym. The thrift store 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 Sunday and Monday. Dona tions also can be left at the Wildwood Hotel and Restaurant in Wil lamina. For more information on volunteering, call 503-876-7897. The youth center and thrift store are nonprofit and 100 percent self-sustaining and volunteer-run. B r . ir.? . f so hot S03-S79-5S11 Ad created by George Valdez