2
S moke S ignals
may 1, 2014
NOTICE — Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Meetings
DATE
TIME
Wednesday, May 14.............................................................................5 p.m.
Wednesday, May 28.............................................................................5 p.m.
Please note that these times and dates are subject to change if needed.
General Council meeting
Sunday, May 18 — 11 a.m.
Tribal Community Center
Letters
Dear Smoke Signals:
Hello, fellow members. I am writing this letter out of concern for eligible
Tribal members who are not registered to vote or don’t exercise their
right to vote. The number of CTGR members who do not vote is shock-
ing, especially when you consider what they have to lose by not voting in
Tribal elections. This “not interested in voting” mentality harms not just
non-voters, but other members as well.
There is great power as a Tribal member in being able to vote on Tribal
issues and council candidates. As Tribal members, we are very fortunate to
be able to cast our vote by absentee ballot. This ballot is sent to registered
voters and can be returned postage free in the United States. How easy is
that to vote? This is very important to know if you’re a person who hasn’t
voted in the past. Also, have a solid address on fi le so that the ballot will
get to you in plenty of time to vote and returned in time to be counted.
I realize that there are many people who think voting doesn’t matter.
Never think for one moment that your vote doesn’t count! Why did I just
say that? I worked at the Oregon State Legislature before CTGR was
restored to federal Tribal status in 1983 and voting played a major role
in making it happen. Our Restoration could not have occurred without
the support of others. The experience taught me that Tribal members
also have a certain responsibility to participate in their government by
voting. Changes in Tribal Council and every benefi t you are entitled to
will be determined by voting members. Being a dedicated voter will keep
your rights, benefi ts and basic freedoms intact. Large voting turnouts by
Tribal members make it harder for the group I call “the tail that wags the
dog” voters to control important decisions which have far-reaching results
in our community.
It is my belief that being a Tribal member comes with many responsibili-
ties. These responsibilities are yours to bear when you become a member.
I want to mention a few that I think every Tribal member will agree are
important to uphold and pass on to future generations:
• First, looking out for Tribal Elders and educating the young in use-
ful life skills.
• Second, making it a priority in your life by demonstrating a positive
behavior and standing up as a servant leader in the community.
• Next, fi nding your inner voice and expressing your concerns or thanks
in a way that contributes a meaningful dialogue for all Tribal mem-
bers.
• Last, and perhaps the hardest part for some, will be stopping to think
about what’s in this for you.
I would like to conclude this letter by saying that voting today is more
important than ever due to self-seeking individuals within CTGR. Every
Tribal member who has been following today’s issues knows what one-
sided voting outcomes lead to. So, take time to consider your membership
responsibilities and then cast your vote. Please, do not let yourself fall
into a mindset that other members will vote the way you would, or that
their concerns are the same as yours. Don’t get caught up in a robot voter
mentality; you’re an individual, so vote that way.
Again, I want to ask you to register to vote if you’re not already regis-
tered, and if you are registered, vote! Remember, not voting hurts you and
harms other members who want our government run by all the people.
If you have any questions regarding voting, call CTGR at 503-879-5211
or 800-422-0232.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and please pass the
message on to friends and family to vote because every vote counts.
Sequoia “Tall Timber” Raya
Roll #2313
See page 15 for more letters.
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For more information about online degree programs, contact the PSU
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Tribal Offi ce Closures
Tribal offi ces will be closing at noon Friday, May 23, and be closed
on Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day.
Smoke Signals
PUBLICATIONS OFFICE
9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347
1-800-422-0232, FAX: 503-879-2173
Web site: www.grandronde.org/news
E-mail: news@grandronde.org
Twitter: CTGRgov
Facebook: Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
SIOBHAN TAYLOR
CHELSEA CLARK
DEAN RHODES
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
DIRECTOR
PUBLIC AFFAIRS/
PUBLICATIONS
SECRETARY
PUBLICATIONS
COORDINATOR
503-879-1418
dean.rhodes@grandronde.org
503-879-1920
siobhan.taylor@grandronde.org
503-879-1463
chelsea.clark@grandronde.org
GEORGE VALDEZ
JUSTIN PHILLIPS
RON KARTEN
GRAPHIC DESIGN
SPECIALIST
PAGE DESIGNER
STAFF WRITER
503-879-2190
503-879-4663
503-879-1416
justin.phillips@grandronde.org
ron.karten@grandronde.org
MICHELLE ALAIMO
VALERIE COX
SCARLETT HOLTZ
PHOTOJOURNALIST
CENTRAL PHONES
503-879-1961
503-879-1446
michelle.alaimo@grandronde.org
valerie.cox@grandronde.org
george.valdez@grandronde.org
DEADLINE DATE
CENTRAL PHONES
503-879-1447
scarlett.holtz@grandronde.org
ISSUE DATE
Monday, May 5 .......................... May 15
Tuesday, May 20 ..........................June 1
Friday, June 6 .............................June 15
Editorial Policy
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 verifi cation 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 refl ect the
opinions of SMOKE SIGNALS, Tribal staff, Tribal administration or Tribal Council.
Members of: n Native American Journalists Association
n The Associated Press
n Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association
2014 Tribal Council
1-800-422-0232 — council@grandronde.org
n Reyn Leno
Tribal Chairman
— ext. 2399
n Denise Harvey
— ext. 2353
reyn.leno@grandronde.org
n June Sherer
— ext. 1444
n Jack Giffen Jr.
Tribal Vice Chair
— ext. 2300
jack.giffen@grandronde.org
denise.harvey@grandronde.org
june.sherer@grandronde.org
n Cheryle A. Kennedy
— ext. 2352
n Toby McClary
Tribal Secretary
— ext. 4555
cheryle.kennedy@grandronde.org
toby.mcclary@grandronde.org
kathleen.tom@grandronde.org
n Kathleen Tom
— ext. 1777
n Ed Pearsall
— ext. 2305
n Jon A. George
— ext. 2355
ed.pearsall@grandronde.org
jon.george@grandronde.org