S moke S ignals
may 1, 2014
Tribe holding annual
Memorial Day event
2009 – A Gang Summit hosted by the Confederated Tribes of Grand
Ronde at Spirit Mountain Casino drew about 200 attendees. The
summit focused on gang activity and its effects on Tribal youth.
2004 – Groundbreaking oc-
curred on the Spirit Mountain
Lodge expansion that will add
150 rooms and is slated for com-
pletion by March 2005. “We’re
going to bring Spirit Mountain
Casino more toward the idea
and the vision that we all have
– of a destination resort,” said
File photo
Spirit Mountain Casino General
Manager Richard Kline.
1999 – Improvements to the Tribal Cemetery continued, including
installation of a sidewalk around the covered area and construction
of a chain link fence in the front area. An overhang area for hearses
and pallbearers also was in the works.
1994 – The Tribe took another step toward gaming as a revenue
generator after Tribal Council members visited the Poarch Creek
Tribe in Alabama. “The Poarch Creek had a very good facility,” said
Bruce Thomas, general manager of Spirit Mountain Development
Corp. “It was after the initial visit with them that council decided
to take a closer looking at gaming.”
1989 – In a series of votes, General Council decided to disband
the Tribal Corporation and have its assets turned over to the Tribal
government. The Tribal Corporation was established in 1975 to work
for the Restoration of the Tribe. When the Tribe regained federal
recognition, two separate but closely related entities existed. The
vote to disband the Corporation was 48-0.
1984 – The interim Tribal Council had been working with Gary
Forrester, director of the Native American Program at Oregon Legal
Services, in drafting the first Tribal Constitution and bylaws. Tribal
members were urged to attend a meeting for their input and review
of the draft.
By Dean Rhodes
Smoke Signals editor
The Veterans Special Event
Board will be sponsoring the an-
nual Memorial Day ceremony held
at the West Valley Veterans Memo-
rial on the Tribal campus beginning
at 1 p.m. Monday, May 26.
A community meal will be served
in the Tribal Community Center
beginning at noon.
Veterans Special Event Board
Chairman Steve Bobb Sr., a Viet-
nam-era Marine Corps veteran, will
be the master of ceremonies and
provide the invocation.
Confirmed speakers will include
Tribal Council Chairman Reyn
Leno, also a Vietnam-era Marine
Corps veteran, Oregon Veterans’
Services Administrator Eric Belt
and Gunny Brandon, also a Marine
Corps veteran.
New names being placed on the
Veterans Memorial will be read aloud
and a medley of taps and “Amazing
Grace” will be played by Jan Look-
ing Wolf Reibach, head of the Tribe’s
Land & Culture Department and a
multiple winner of Native American
Music Awards as a flutist.
The Grand Ronde Honor Guard
also will attend to post and retire
the colors. n
Reasons to smile
Yesteryears is a look back at Tribal history in five-year in-
crements through the pages of Smoke Signals.
Elder Bingo moved to Saturdays
Elder Bingo will be held at 12:30 p.m. the second and fourth Saturday
of the month at the Elders’ Activity Center.
For more information, contact Elder Activity Assistant Daniel Ham at
503-879-2233. n
Photo by Michelle Alaimo
Tribal Dental Hygienist Sheila Blacketer applies fluoride to
Miguel Guzman’s teeth during Give Kids a Smile Day at Willamina
Elementary School on Friday, April 25. Tribal Dentist Erin Lange
and Tribal Dental Assistant Rachel Clark also participated in the
event that screens children for cavities and brushes and applies
fluoride to their teeth. The event, sponsored by the American Dental
Association, provides dental services to underserved communities
and 136 children were seen by the Tribe’s Dental Clinic staff.
Ad created by George Valdez