S moke S ignals
august 1, 2014
Tribal ally Vic Atiyeh walks on at age 91
By Dean Rhodes
Smoke Signals editor
It’s fitting that during what turned
out to be the final time former Or-
egon Gov. Vic Atiyeh visited Grand
Ronde on May 21, he was gifted a
Pendleton blanket by Tribal Coun-
cil in appreciation for his support
of the Tribe during its Restoration
efforts in the early 1980s.
Atiyeh, 91, walked on on Sunday,
July 20, at Providence St. Vincent
Medical Center in Portland from
renal failure.
Atiyeh served as governor of
Oregon from 1979 to 1987 and was
supportive of the Grand Ronde
Tribe’s efforts at regaining federal
recognition during his time in office.
The Tribe officially became restored
on Nov. 22, 1983, after 29 years of
Termination.
Atiyeh also was instrumental in
the formation of the Legislative
Commission on Indian Services
during his time in the Oregon Sen-
ate in 1975.
He visited Grand Ronde in May
as part of the Legislative Commis-
sion on Indian Services’ Spring
Gathering.
“The Confederated Tribes of
Grand Ronde is saddened by the
passing of former Gov. Vic Atiyeh,”
said Tribal Council Chairman Reyn
Leno on Monday, July 21. “On be-
half of our Tribal family, I’d like to
offer our condolences to the family
and friends of Gov. Atiyeh.
“Gov. Atiyeh meant a lot of Grand
Ronde. The timing of his passing
Smoke Signals file photo
Former Oregon Gov. Vic Atiyeh is gifted a Pendleton blanket by Tribal Council
members Kathleen Tom, left, Jon A. George, right, Cheryle A. Kennedy and
Denise Harvey, both not pictured, as he is honored by the Grand Ronde Tribal
Council during a welcome event for the Legislative Commission on Indian
Service’s Spring Gathering at the plankhouse on May 21. Atiyeh, a longtime
friend of the Tribe, walked on on Sunday, July 20.
is unfortunate. We’re greatly ap-
preciative of the time we were able
to spend with Gov. Atiyeh at our
Tribal plankhouse in May and at
the various gatherings and meet-
ings we’ve had with him over the
last several decades.
“Today, we mourn the loss of a
dear friend and pay tribute to his
many accomplishments. He will be
sorely missed and we thank him
for his work on behalf of the state
of Oregon, the Confederated Tribes
of Grand Ronde and Oregon’s feder-
ally recognized Tribes.”
The Tribe lowered its flags to
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 Certified Application
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
half-staff in honor of Atiyeh’s pass-
ing.
Karen Quigley, executive director
of the Legislative Commission on
Indian Services, said that Atiyeh
was “a remarkable leader and dear
friend” of the Legislative Commis-
sion on Indian Services, Tribal
leaders and Oregon Tribes.
“You would be hard-pressed to
find anyone who has done more to
support and encourage a positive
relationship between the state
of Oregon and the nine federally
recognized Tribal governments in
Oregon,” Quigley said.
“It was wonderful that the Legis-
lative Commission on Indian Ser-
vices, other Tribal leaders, Tribal
and state representatives and
friends had the opportunity to
share a special evening with him
and his grandson this past May
and honor him as the founder and
longest supporter of the Legislative
Commission on Indian Services. He
mentioned recently how important
his relationship over the years has
been to be involved with and such
a good friend of the Tribes and
LCIS.”
Atiyeh served in the Oregon
House for six years starting in 1959
and then moved on to the Senate
in 1965, where he served for 13
years, seven of which as Republican
leader.
He was elected governor twice,
in 1978 and again in 1982, and
currently is the last Republican
elected to lead Oregon. Of Syrian
descent, he was the first Arab-
American governor elected in the
United States.
“I am deeply saddened by the
passing of Gov. Vic Atiyeh,” said
Gov. John Kitzhaber. “He will be
greatly missed, yet his steady lead-
ership, gentle spirit and love for our
state lives on in the many contribu-
tions he made to Oregon.”
Atiyeh was born Feb. 20, 1923,
to George and Linda Atiyeh. He at-
tended Portland public schools and
the University of Oregon for three
years. He dropped out of college to
tend the family carpet business,
Atiyeh Brothers, at the age of 21
after his father passed away.
As governor, he was considered
ahead of his time in diversity, sup-
porting Native American causes
and appointing the first woman
to serve on the Oregon Supreme
Court. n
Royalty update
By Jackie Many Hides
Royalty coordinator
First, I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for
their support. All of the girls have been working very hard to make
our events a good experience for everyone.
The court this year has been a lot of fun and work. The girls are
learning many new things about protocol and culture, and about
themselves.
This year, I am related to almost all of the court. It is my job to
share my knowledge and experiences with them and to coordinate
events for them.
I have nothing to do with the pageant judging of the girls. I only
wish them all to do well and to be happy for whoever becomes the
next reigning court, and to be proud young ladies for their accom-
plishments. I would encourage all of them to continue as princesses
and to do all home events and to continue to be part of the Royalty
Court and attend all monthly meetings.
Special thank you to all of the parents/sponsors, Smoke Signals,
Wendell Olson, Procurement and Finance, Tribal Council, Jan Look-
ing Wolf Reibach, Spirit Mountain Stampede and so many others
who helped raise funds – TNT, Grand Ronde Station and Brian Kre-
hbiel, as well as so many others who made it possible for our girls to
have the wonderful experiences they were able to have so far. With
so many to thank, if you were not mentioned I do apologize.
Fee assistance
Enrolled Tribal members can request assistance with test fees (i.e. GRE,
SAT, LSAT, ACT) and admissions application fees. Contact Higher Educa-
tion for more information at 1-800-422-0232, ext. 2275. n