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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 2014)
4 S moke S ignals october 1, 2014 Community invited to Restoration Powwow; Potlatch donations sought 2009 – A smoldering effort by the American Lung Association to expand Oregon’s smoking ban in restaurants and bars to Native American casinos would affect less than 40 percent of Spirit Mountain Casino. “We’re trending that way anyway,” Tribal lobbyist Justin Martin said. “Other than the gaming floor and a little bit of hotel space, Spirit Mountain is practically smoke-free.” 2004 – A Tribal satellite office opened in Portland at 3312 S.W. Kelly Ave. “This office will serve as a gateway to any services need- ed,” said Vocational Rehabilita- tion Specialist Jon A. George. The grand opening ceremony drew a crowd of about 150 people. 1999 – Robert Martin was hired as the Tribe’s new executive of- File photo ficer. Martin had worked for the Wampanoag Tribe in Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., and the Ponca Tribe in Nebraska. He grew up in Wolf Point, Mont., on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation and was of Assinibione and Sioux heritage. 1994 – Polk County Deputy Tom O’Brien was patrolling the Grand Ronde area as part of an agreement the Tribe had reached with the Polk County Board of Commissioners on law enforcement in early August. He was working out of the Public Works Department until a permanent office was completed. 1989 – Smoke Signals and Tribal archives do not have a copy of the October 1989 edition. 1984 – The first Restoration Celebration was held on Oct. 6 at St. Michael’s Church cafeteria. More than 1,000 attended to hear keynote speaker Rep. Les AuCoin. He gifted the Tribe a framed and mounted copy of the Grand Ronde Restoration Act and received a resounding standing ovation. Yesteryears is a look back at Tribal history in five-year incre- ments through the pages of Smoke Signals. Elders’ phone numbers wanted The Tribal Elders Committee is compiling a volunteer phone list of Elders. If you would like to submit your phone number and address to be available to other Elders, send it to elders.committee@grandronde.org or leave a message at 503-879-2231. n The Tribe’s Culture Committee will be hosting this year’s Restora- tion Powwow on Saturday, Nov. 22. The powwow will begin with a Grand Entry shortly after the tra- ditional Restoration dinner celebra- tion has ended about 2 p.m. “We need to remember how we did it before Restoration,” says Culture Committee member and Elder Margaret Provost. “We never used to have these big powwows. It would be a gathering where people would come together and some people would drum and dance, and we would have a dinner and then there would be a giveaway.” It is that tradition that the 2014 Restoration Powwow will honor. Community and family are the focus, with opportunities to honor the Elders and loved ones who have played important roles in the Res- toration of the Grand Ronde Tribe. There also will be a Potlatch (give- away) sponsored by the Culture Committee. “The Culture Committee wants to honor everyone with a giveaway and I believe we should all come together and just be together in a good way to share this time,” com- mittee member and Elder Linda Brandon says. “Restoration is a time of sharing and feeling good. My grandma, Nora Kimsey, has always been my inspiration and she loved her community and her Tribal family and showed her love in different ways like this.” “We encourage families to step forward to be a part of this. We want everyone to be involved,” says Sarah Ross, Culture Committee secretary. This year, families are being invited to sponsor a dance special or donate to the Potlatch as part of the celebration. “There never used to be big com- petition powwows. Families would sponsor the specials and giveaways. Back then not many people danced like they do now, and they would have to be encouraged to dance,” says Provost, who also described the traditional practice of Potlatch. “The giveaway was a big deal. Peo- ple might bake pies or make jelly. Some people might make things like jewelry. Everything was taken care of by the families, and then it was all given away.” The Culture Committee encour- ages the community to get involved and make items to be included in the Potlatch. “It is traditional that people used to donate to the Potlatch without recognition,” said Culture Commit- tee Chair Betty Bly. “I was taught that there were times when people would be gather- ing items for giveaway, and in the old days the chiefs had Potlatch to show how rich they were by giving away all that they owned,” says co-chair Marcus Gibbons. “We want to let the people of Grand Ronde know that we are here for them no matter what. If you come for the medicine and to learn the traditions, then we are here to support you and everyone in the Tribe.” The 2014 Restoration Powwow is meant to commemorate the Tribe’s Restoration and honor the commu- nity and the important role each Tribal member fills. Families inter- ested in sponsoring a dance special or donating to the Potlatch can contact Bly at 503-879-6336. n Please join us to celebrate the launch of the Tribe’s very own language application for iPhones and iPads. Since Tribal Members live all over the world, it is difficult for some of them to learn and use our language. The creation of this application combines our language with technology, creating a modern teaching tool for use in classrooms, homes and everywhere there is a desire to learn our language. Don’t fret if you are not an Apple user, there is a Chinuk Wawa station at Chachalu featuring iPads with the Tribe’s language application. Additionally, the Land and Culture Department will be working towards an Android compatible version to be created next year. Celebration at Chachalu October 9, 2014 4:00 - 6:00 pm Agenda Drumming Prayer Welcome Tribal Council Speakers Recognitions Presentation and Demonstration of App (large screen) Light refreshments provided Museum tours Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Land and Culture Department 8720 Grand Ronde Road Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347 Phone: 503-879-2226 Fax: 503-879-2126 E-mail: landandculture@grandronde.org Ad created by George Valdez