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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (May 15, 2013)
Smoke Signals MAY 15, 2013 NOTICE Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Meetings DATE TIME Wednesday, May 22 5 p.m. I'teaae note that theae timet and date are aubject to change if needed. Tribal Council nominations Sunday, June 30 11 a.m. Tribal Community Center 2 Dear Smoke Signals'. My name is Nancy Habb (Simmons) and I have been a Tribal member since Nov. 28, 1988, by Resolution No. 313. My father and his family lived on the Reservation when it was terminated in 1954 and are on the original roll the Tribe used for creation of its membership. I would like to point out that the Grand Ronde Restoration Act of 1983, which was signed by Ronald Reagan, made the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde a single Tribal unit for purposes of federal recognition and eligibility for federal benefits. As stated in our Tribal history, the act also provided for the establishment of Tribal self-government, for the compilation of a Tribal membership roll and for the establishment of a Tribal reservation. I remember being encouraged by members on the original roll to enroll, so the Tribe's numbers would increase and with increased numbers could reap the benefits of increased federal funding. So I did as I was told to help our Tribe get the numbers it needed so it could get the federal dollars to establish our government and numerous federal programs still in place today. After all, federal funding is proportionally based on the number of enrolled Tribal members. My concern is that the "Enrollment Audit Explained" publication recently sent out by the Tribe does not explain what membership criteria were used per the Restoration Act. As quoted from the publication, it just states the following: "As outlined in the Restoration Act, a membership roll of the Tribe was developed by the Secretary of the Interior using the member ship eligibility requirements of the Restoration Act." Well, I would like to know just what does "as outlined in the Restoration Act" mean. The publication goes in great detail about the Tribe's Constitution require ments for membership, but fails to identify what the Restoration Act member ship requirements are. Per the article, 'The Tribe's Constitution established membership requirements different from those of the Restoration Act." Are we in trouble by some federal agency? Is our federal recognition being questioned? Why now, after 30 years, is the enrollment being scrutinized so harshly and I'm sure at an excessive cost? Are we suffering some financial difficulties? It sure appears that way with increased premiums for non Tribal members' health contribution and Student Rental Assistance put on hold for four months while money is spent to question our enrollment? Sounds like a bit of greed has touched our Tribe that I have been so proud of in its efforts to help and assist its Tribal members to become an educated and self-sufficient community no matter what state they live in. I personally believe that it would be helpful if the Tribe would publish the Grand Ronde Restoration Act of 1983 for all Tribal members to see, so we can understand how it is different from the established membership requirements in the Tribe's Constitution. And, if there is such a discrep ancy, my first question would be what could possibly be done about it now, 30 years later? Federal dollars had already been received based on the enrollment numbers supplied by the Tribe and now the Tribe wants to vocally state that members were enrolled different from those of the Restoration Act that was signed by Ronald Reagan? What kind of mes sage is that sending about our Tribal government? Are we opening a can of worms here that could have some trickle effect on the Tribe as a whole and is the Tribal Council thoroughly thinking this through? I also understand all the changes that have been made to the Enroll ment Ordinance and it has always been my understanding that if you were already enrolled prior to the time the amendments took effect, the already enrolled member would not be subjected to the new enrollment requirements. I do hope the Tribe takes all of this into consideration while auditing the enrollment files. Just a reminder, when the Tribe was terminated, many members had to relocate out of the six-county service area and enrollment was still ap proved regardless of where we lived. The Western Oregon Termination Act of 1954 severed ties with the federal government, but with the help of members all across America enrolling in the early years, our Tribe was able to receive the federal funding it needed to organize itself to become the success it is today. I ask, what is really going on here? And what is the intended result the Tribal Council hopes to gain? Nancy Babb (Simmons) Roll 2353 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. B Tribal offices will be closing at noon Friday, May 24, and be closed on Monday, May 27, in observance of Memorial Day. PUBLICATIONS OFFICE 9615 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 503-879-1 920 stoMun.uykx9frjndrondr.orf GEORGE VALDEZ GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALIST 503-879-1416 fracft.vldifrjndrono.orf MICHELLE ALAIMO PHOTOJOURNALIST 503-879-1961 mkhFlt.jUlmofrjndrond.orf CHELSEA CLARK ACTING PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECRETARY 503-879-1418 chrtwj.cUrk9frjndrondt.ori JUSTIN PHILLIPS PAGE DESIGNER 503-879-2190 uuln.phllllpifrjndrondr.or VALERIE COX CENTRAL PHONES 503-879-1446 vjlrrlr.congrjndrondr.ori DEAN RHODES PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR 503-879-1463 drjn.rhodrsfr jndrondr.org RON KARTEN STAFF WRITER 503-879-4663 ron.luitrnfrjndrondr.orf SCARLETT HOLTZ CENTRAL PHONES 503-879-1447 Kjrtrn.holtzfrJndrondr.org DEADLINE PATE ISSUE DATE Monday, May 20 June t Wednesday, June 5 June 1 5 Friday, June 2 1 July 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-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 2013 Tribal Council 1-800-422-0232 councilgrandronde.org D Reyn Leno Chris Mercier Tribal Chairman ext. 2305 eXk 2399 chris.merciergrandronde.org reyn.Ienograndronde.org g june $nerer Jack Giffen Jr. ext. 1 444 Tribal Vice Chair june.sherergrandronde.org - ext. 2300 n Cherye A. Kennedy jack.giffengrandronde.org ex 2352 Toby McCIary cheryle.kennedygrandronde.org Tribal Secretary q Kathleen Tom -ext. 4555 ext. 1777 toby.mcclarygrandronde.org kathleen.tomgrandronde.org Steve Bobb Sr. q jon a. George -ext. 2353 -ext. 2355 steve.bobbgrandronde.org jon.georgegrandronde.org
