2
S moke S ignals
july 1, 2014
NOTiCE — Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Meetings
DATE
TIME
Wednesday, July 9...............................................................................5 p.m.
Wednesday, July 23.............................................................................5 p.m.
Please note that these times and dates are subject to change if needed.
Letters
Dear Tribal members:
Over the past year (nine months actually), I have had the good fortune
to serve you as a Tribal Council member. If it has been anything, it has
been a learning experience. I thank those of you who have had the patience
to stand by a new council member while they cut their teeth on a job that
is immensely diffi cult.
Today I write about my concern over the state of affairs of the Tribe. The
Tribe isn’t collapsing, but there has been a growing divide that became
really obvious to me at the last General Council meeting on May 18. What
I am concerned about is that the uglier things get, the division will only
continue to grow.
I am sure there are plenty of people who will say “Tell me something
I don’t know!” and there are others who will think “What is she talking
about?” In my opinion, social media does not help. It simply gives Tribal
members a forum where they can either sling mud or go for one another’s
throats. There is useful information, for sure, but much of it gets twisted
to fi t the agenda of whoever is writing. It really is like Fox News, CNN
and MSNBC.
As we start getting into another Tribal Council election, I fear that
this ugliness will make 2014 one of the most contentious elections ever.
I hope I am wrong. If there is any piece of advice I can give you it is this:
Contact the candidates directly with questions and concerns. You will
defi nitely have constituents and detractors telling you that Candidate A
is a saint or a jerk. You will defi nitely have rumors that take on a life of
their own. Last, but not least, you will have false statements conveyed to
you as gospel truth.
Maybe I am wrong. Maybe the candidates will read this letter and urge
their constituents to help them run clean campaigns where issues, not
personal dislikes, will be front and center. But as someone who has been
the target of recent attacks, I am not encouraged as of late. Deep down
though I am an optimist, and feel that the membership who really wants
the best for this Tribe will fi nd a way to prevail.
Sincerely,
Denise Harvey
Roll #1874
Dear Smoke Signals:
In 2003, Focus Circle VIP opened its doors and quietly began work. We
met every Tuesday to do anger management and domestic violence educa-
tion. Now Focus Circle is on hiatus for awhile.
The class moved from the old module (now gone) at Social Services to a
fi sh bowl meeting room (now a nice offi ce) in the Culture Department, then
to the Education Department, then to Behavioral Health and the well-
kept lawn outside Behavioral Health on a few warm evenings. We were
at the Portland satellite offi ce on Thursdays for a few years. Eventually,
we found our way to Room 204 in the Governance building. It was won-
derful, with enough whiteboard space and fl ip charts and a movie screen,
enough multimedia capacity to handle the rapidly developing ideas, class
curriculum, role play and change that comprise Focus Circle.
Almost everybody and every department at the Confederated Tribes of
Grade Ronde has had a part in bringing Focus Circle to life and helping
to heal the effects of multi-generational trauma. Thank you, one and all.
Your work has been awesome. Call me; let me know how you are do-
ing.
Priscilla Marlowe
Salem
Cover Oregon sign-ups continuing
Native American and Alaska Natives can enroll year-round in
Medicaid and the Oregon Health Plan, as well as for private health
insurance coverage, through Cover Oregon.
For more information, contact Cover Oregon Certifi ed Applica-
tion Assisters Loretta Meneley at 503-879-1359, Sydney West at
503-879-2197 or 800-775-0095 for an appointment to apply for or
discuss Cover Oregon. n
Correction — The June 1 article “Memorial Day 2014” incorrectly
identifi ed Bob Thornburg. In addition, he was incorrectly identifi ed as a
veteran. Mr. Thornburg is a physical therapist and his business, Bridge
Street Physical Therapy, is located in Sheridan. Smoke Signals regrets
the errors.
Tribal Offi ce Closures
Tribal offi ces will be closing at noon Thursday, July 3, and be closed
on Friday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day.
Tribal Council
Candidate Statements
Due by 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, 2014
NO EXCEPTIONS
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, June 7 ...........................July 15
Monday, July 21 .......................... Aug. 1
Tuesday, August 5 ...................... Aug. 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 — tribalcouncil@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