2 NOVEMBER 1,2013
Smoke Signals
General Council meeting
Sunday, Nov. 3 11 a.m.
Tribal Community Center
1 1 i
10 r t
) V 3: i
8-
NOTICE Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Meetings
DATE TIME
Wednesday, Nov. 6 5 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 20 5 p.m.
Please note that these time and dates are subject to change if needed.
Dear Smoke Signals:
I have watched the heart-wrenching testimonies of a family that is on
the list for disenrollment.
My heart goes out to each and every one that I have listened to.
It is apparent that these folks spoke directly from their hearts and their
words reached down into the depths of their souls. I truly found myself
in tears several times.
I saw this as a beautiful (inside and out) family. They were respectful,
factual and I saw them as people who contribute to the Tribe, volunteer ser
vices, have a strong pride in who they are and where they came from.
I'd like to say, "I'm proud to know these people." However, I don't know
any of them.
I am not making an opinion of where I stand or don't stand on disen
rollment, which is not why I'm writing this. I'm writing this because my
hope is that if these folks end up getting disenrolled that they and we will
continue the strong relationships that obviously exist.
So many times I have watched people go to the podium (at meetings)
and display ugly and disrespectful behavior. These people in this family,
under the most traumatic and life-changing circumstances, have shown
respect, sincerity and pride in who they are.
They have been a shining example for all of us.
Joann Mercier
Roll 546
Dear Smoke Signals:
I am writing to you regarding several problems I see regarding the
handicapped entrances to several of the Tribal buildings on campus. This
has, unfortunately, been an ongoing problem for several months. I am
sad to report that this has been going on now for more than 10 months on
some of the buildings.
The handicap doors on several of the buildings either do not open at all
when you push the button or only one of the doors opens and nine times
out of 10 it is the outside door that does not open, and by the time you do
get the first door open, the other one has "timed out" and is either closing
or has closed.
These doors are extremely heavy and if you are in a wheelchair it is nearly
impossible to even try and get these doors open. I have seen employees
look at me while I've struggled to open the doors and they remain seated
in their seats and make no attempt whatsoever to come and help.
Other buildings have the handicap button effectively blocked by benches,
trash cans and ashtrays.
If I am having a hard time with these doors, I wonder about our elderly
handicapped Tribal members. What about them?
I know the Facilities Department knows about the ongoing problems with
these doors all around campus, but it seems to me that nothing is being
done to solve this problem that I am sure has gone on a lot longer.
You would think that we would want to make sure everything is in
proper working order for all Tribal members, especially the elderly and
handicapped members.
I have complained to several people at the Tribe and they say they will
take care of the problem. I know that the security company has personally
moved the bench, trash can and ashtray away from the handicap button
at Social Services, but when I was there recently it was blocked again by
all three obstacles.
I think to solve the problem those who work at the Tribe and are not
handicapped need to spend an entire week in a wheelchair and try and at
tempt to open one of those doors from the wheelchair. I bet within a day they
would make sure those doors would be in proper working order and make
sure those doors were not blocked because having those doors blocked and
in not working order is in violation of the ADA rules and regulations.
My one main goal is to help make sure that these matters are dealt with
and have the problem fixed as soon as possible.
Thank you for your time. Hayu masi.
Veronica Gaston
Roll 2332
Tribal offices will be closed on Monday, Nov. 11, in observance of
Veterans Day.
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2013-14 Tribal Council
1-800-422-0232 councilgrandronde.org
Reyn Leno O Denise Harvey
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reyn.lenograndronde.org Q june jnerer
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