10
S moke S ignals
DECEMBER 1, 2014
‘They hoped we would fail’
RESTORATION continued
from page 7
Giffen Jr., Tribal Council member To-
nya Gleason-Shepek, Tribal Attorney
Rob Greene and Assistant General
Manager Stacia Martin.
Another instance of success came
from Bobby Mercier. “They told us
not to ask again, but we did, and we
got approval to put scaffolding back
up at Willamette Falls,” he said.
“They hoped we would fail in
managing our forests,” said Leno,
“but we did better than they expect-
ed.” The Tribe, he said, has made
management of Tribal forests a
great success for environmental
stewardship, as well as a mon-
ey-making enterprise.
Tribal Council member Jon A
George recognized Restoration El-
ders. Among them were Margaret
Provost, Wink Soderberg, Cheryle
A. Kennedy and Alan Ham.
Provost described the long and ardu-
ous effort to make Restoration happen.
“We didn’t have anything,” Provost
said, “but we knew who we were.”
She said that in the days of the
first Restoration celebration, “We
helped each other.” When Tribal
hunters brought back elk, deer and
salmon, they shared it with the com-
munity, and when somebody needed
help, everyone pitched in, she said.
Kennedy said, “Remember Mar-
garet. Everything we have is due to
her hard work.”
Soderberg honored Tribal Elder
Marvin Kimsey and said that many
people should be honored. “They
worked really hard on raising mon-
ey,” he said. Provost, Kimsey and
Merle Holmes are the three prin-
cipal Tribal members who started
the Restoration effort in the 1970s.
Tribal Elder Jackie Many Hides
recalled how thankful she felt and
challenged the Tribe to devote more
energy “to the children.”
An honor dance was held for
those who raised funds and spoke
before groups, and worked with
congressmen and senators to bring
about the Tribe’s 1983 Restoration.
Mike Clemmons honored his
brother, the late Rudy Clemmons,
who was the master of ceremonies
Photos by Michelle Alaimo
Grand Ronde Canoe Family members, from left, Santi Atanacio, Kaikanim Mercier, Nick Atanacio, Jacob Holmes,
Bobby Mercier and Travis Stewart sing and drum during the plankhouse ceremony of the Tribe’s 31st Restoration
Celebration held at Achaf-hammi on Saturday, Nov. 22.
at the Tribe’s first powwow, and
Chet Clark, who sang the Tribe’s
first song at that powwow.
Leno also honored those on the
Tribe’s Termination rolls.
George recognized the Tribe’s
eldest Elder, Pearl Lyon, 102, and
honored the Restoration Commit-
tee volunteers who helped organize
this year’s events.
After lunch, chairs were moved
into a big circle forming a powwow
grounds inside and tables were
carted out.
The Restoration Powwow, orga-
nized by the Tribe’s Culture Com-
mittee, started a little after 3 p.m.
Starburst, The Woodsmen and the
West Coast Boys were host drums,
and in addition the powwow host-
ed Yakama Boys, All Nations and
Johonaaii drums.
Drawings started after lunch and
continued punctuating the day be-
tween honorings and dances. By all
accounts, the Culture Committee’s
goal of improving powwow atten-
dance was accomplished.
Wayne Chulik, with eagle staff,
and Tribal Elder Alton Butler, car-
Andrea Grijalva dances to the salmon song during the plankhouse ceremony
of the Tribe’s 31st Restoration Celebration held at Achaf-hammi.
rying Marce Norwest’s eagle staff,
led the powwow grand entry. Nor-
west, a Tribal leader who protected
Tribal forests for many years as the
Forest Patrol officer, has walked on.
Arena Director Deitz Peters car-
ried a staff with many eagle feath-
ers. Following him were four flags:
the U.S. flag carried by Elder Steve
Bobb Sr., the POW flag carried by
Al Miller, the Tribal flag carried
by Elder Raymond Petite and the
Oregon flag carried by Mike Lane.
Following were five banners
naming the forerunner Tribes of
the Grand Ronde confederation –
Umpqua, Molalla, Rogue River,
Kalapuya and Chasta. Royalty and
other dancers followed.
Bobby Mercier honored veterans,
who introduced themselves and
stated which branch of the military
they served in, the years during
which they served and the places
where they served.
Military Purple Heart recipients,
awarded for being wounded in bat-
tle, were honored.
The powwow stretched passed
9 p.m.
In addition during the day,
Chachalu Museum and Cultural
Center opened with its many ex-
hibits and a 27-minute slideshow
honoring Tribal members who have
walked on.
Restoration Committee members
included Jocelyn Huffman, Tribal
Council member Denise Harvey,
Betty Bly, Darlene Aaron, Dana
Ainam, Jan Looking Wolf Rei-
bach, Sam Dala, Gladys Hobbs,
Violet Folden, Grace Amos, Val
Grout, Reina Nelson, Alan Ham,
Linda LaChance, Stacia Martin,
Lisa Archuleta, Sarah Ross, Wink
Soderberg, Linda Brandon, Kevin
Simmons, Janele Gutierrez-Riggs,
Public Affairs Director Siobhan
Taylor and Administrative Assis-
tant Chelsea Clark.
The Tribe’s Culture Committee
includes Elders Linda Brandon, Bet-
ty Bly, Margaret Provost and Faye
Smith, as well as Sarah Ross, Mar-
cus Gibbons and Kevin Simmons.
In addition, many Tribal depart-
ments and employees helped in
big and small ways in staging the
successful day. n
Eva Rose Jurado dances during the plankhouse ceremony of the Tribe’s 31st
Restoration Celebration held at Achaf-hammi on Saturday, Nov. 22.