S moke S ignals
NOVEMBER 1, 2014
Walking On...
Marion “Mary” Davidson
April 27, 1924 – Oct. 20, 2014
Grand Ronde Tribal Elder Mar-
ion Davidson, 90, passed away on
Monday, Oct. 20, 2014, at her home
in Independence, Ore., where she
resided with her youngest daugh-
ter, Joannie West, for the past 12
years. Fighting congestive heart
failure, Marion spent her last days
surrounded by family.
Born April 27, 1924, at Wiley
City, Wash., Marion was the second
eldest daughter of Adeline Menard
and Wilbur Daniel Haller. When
Marion recalled her childhood, it
was always with fond memories of
all her adventures with her many
brothers and sisters, and within
each story she would weave a picture of her strong and loving par-
ents.
Marion was united in marriage to Wesley W. West on May 31,
1940, in Redding, Calif. By Wesley, Marion had nine children: Wesley
“Buddy” West (and his wife Dee) and Judith Meyer of Grand Ronde,
Ore.; Joyce DeHart (and her husband Dillard) of Independence, Ore.;
Jean Turman of Spokane, Wash.; June Olson of Happy Valley, Ore.;
Wilbur West (and his wife Susan) of Aumsville, Ore.; and Joannie
West. She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Janice Sue,
and son, Wallace West, who passed in 2013.
Marion’s second husband was Damon “Pop” Davidson, a widower
with seven children of his own. They were married on Oct. 13, 1970,
in Vancouver, Wash. Together, they shared their lives with children
from both families as well as a number of foster children for more
than 30 years. Preceding Marion “Mammy” Davidson in death was
her stepson, David D. Davidson, and husband, Pop Davidson, who
died July 2, 2001. Mammy’s surviving stepchildren are Buddy J.
Davidson, Ruth Boedigheimer, Elaine Majors, Damon Dale David-
son, Jody Tobey and Darlene Nixon.
In addition to 17 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchil-
dren, as well as nieces, nephews and cousins, Marion’s family legacy
includes the following brothers and sisters who loved her very much:
Betty Garrett, Carol Gleason, Delores Knight, Geneva Hansaker,
Hazel Porter, Donald Haller, Edward Haller, Harvey Haller, Ken-
neth Haller, Robert Haller and Wilbur Haller.
Brothers and sisters who preceded her in death included twin
girls who died at birth, Doris and Dorothy, as well as Nellie Haller,
Phyllis Cureton, Daniel Haller, Jim Haller, John Haller, Harold
Haller, Harry Haller, Agnes Haller and Charles “Two Feathers”
Haller, who passed last spring.
Marion was an avid collector of antiques. She also loved music
and enjoyed nature and the outdoors. For the past few years, she
looked forward to her “Elder’s meal” on Mondays and playing her
favorite slots.
An extraordinary beauty both inside and out, Marion will be re-
membered by many for her extreme generosity. She was the pillar of
her family and in time of need her home was a welcomed sanctuary.
Marion had a wonderful sense of humor that brought joy to everyone
around her and her passing creates a hole that will be hard to fill.
Special endorsements
may be granted by chief
WEAPONS PERMIT
continued from front page
conducted or into Spirit Mountain
Casino.
However, special endorsements
may be granted by Police Chief Al
LaChance under certain circum-
stances on a case-by-case basis
only.
“Applicants who hold current
stalking or restraining orders
against another person may re-
quest special endorsements for
their permits, which would allow
them to carry into buildings and
at Tribal events,” Lane said. “Also,
there is value in being able to carry
in your car or on your person on
Tribal lands.”
“Most people want to conceal car-
ry while out on Tribal lands with
their families,” LaChance said.
“Under most circumstances, mem-
bers would not have a need to carry
concealed into Tribal buildings or
the casino.”
The application can be accessed
on the Tribal website, www.gran-
dronde.org, under the Tribal Police
shortcut.
For more information about ob-
taining a Tribal concealed carry
permit, contact the Grand Ronde
Police Department at 503-879-
1821. n
15
NOTICE TO ALL TRIBAL MEMBERS
ON THE SSI/SSD SUPPLEMENTAL
INCOME PROGRAM
Attention Tribal members;
It’s getting to be that time of year again. Time to remember to send
us a copy of your current (2014-15 preferably) benefit statement from
the Social Security Administration so that we can update your file.
If you do not receive your current benefit statement you may order
one by calling the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213
or go online at www.ssa.gov. Your current benefit statement must
reach our office by Jan. 31, 2015, to avoid any future delays in your
benefits. For Elders age 55 and up, if you have been qualified under
the SSA department as SSI (Social Security Supplemental Income)
or SSD (Social Security Disability) Eligible, your pension checks may
qualify as non-taxable. We will need a copy of that document (SSA
award letter) on file in order for this to take effect.
We have updated our SSI/SSD application form and it will be
required that all Tribal members in the SSI/SSD Supplemental
Program have a new updated application form in their file. This ap-
plication form will be mailed to all current members of this program
within the next 30 days. Please complete and return the form at
your earliest convenience. If you are a new member to this program
(within the last 60 days) you have already submitted the updated
application and do not need to complete another, but you will need
to submit your new award letter for the year 2015.
Please mail copies of your benefit statement to:
CTGR Member Services
Attn: Jolanda Catabay
9615 Grand Ronde Road
Grand Ronde, OR 97347
You may also e-mail or fax a copy to the following: Fax: 1-800-879-
2480 or e-mail: Jolanda.catabay@grandronde.org
Note: It is the responsibility of the Tribal member to notify
the Tribe of any changes in your benefits from the Social
Security Administration SSI/SSD program. Failure to notify
the Tribe may result in an obligation to repay ineligible ben-
efits received, interrupt or delay your Tribal Supplemental
Security Income and Disability payments.
Please feel free to contact me if you have further questions or
concerns. My contact numbers are 503-879-2253 or toll-free 1-800
422-0232, ext. 2253.
Respectfully,
Jolanda Catabay
Enrollment Member Services Specialist
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
Powwow sponsored by
Tribe’s Culture Committee
RESTORATION continued
from front page
their own seating, such as folding
chairs, to the event.
Beginning at 10 a.m., a tradition-
al plankhouse celebration will be
held in Achaf-hammi, which is ad-
jacent to Uyxat Powwow Grounds
and Fort Yamhill State Park off
Hebo Road. Attendees are encour-
aged to dress warmly.
The plankhouse event is being
coordinated by the Tribal Canoe
Family, led by Cultural Outreach
Specialist Bobby Mercier.
A short program and meal will be-
gin at 11:30 a.m. inside the Grand
Ronde Tribal gym. Tribal Council
member Jon A. George will be the
master of ceremonies and Tribal
Council Chairman Reyn Leno will
introduce and honor past and pres-
ent Tribal leaders.
The meal will include ceremonial
stew, salmon, mixed vegetables,
salad, bread and pies from Shari’s.
And then from 2 to 8 p.m. Satur-
day, a 31st Restoration Powwow,
sponsored by the Tribe’s Culture
Committee, will be held. Prizes will
be raffled off during the powwow.
In addition, the Chachalu Tribal
Museum & Cultural Center will be
open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
for tours.
Tribal members planning on at-
tending the Restoration program
and meal are encouraged to RSVP
to Public Affairs at 503-879-1418
and leave a message with your
name, Tribal roll number and the
number of people in your party, or
e-mail that information to publicin-
fo@grandronde.org.
Families interested in sponsoring
a powwow dance special or donat-
ing to the Potlatch that will occur
during the powwow should contact
Culture Committee Chair Betty Bly
at 503-879-6336.
Drums interested in performing
at the powwow also should contact
Bly. Guest drums will be limited
to seven.
President Ronald Reagan signed
the Grand Ronde Restoration Act
on Nov. 22, 1983, ending 29 years
of Termination for the Tribe and
more than a decade of arduous
work by many Tribal members
to regain federal recognition. It
has been called by former Tribal
Council member Steve Bobb Sr.
“the most important day in Grand
Ronde history.” n