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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2015)
PRESORTED STANDARD MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID PORTLAND, OR PERMIT NO. 700 — pg. 3 DECEMBER 1, 2015 Tribe celebrates 32nd anniversary of Restoration By Brent Merrill Smoke Signals staff writer T he Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde celebrat- ed its 32nd anniversary of Restoration to federal rec- ognition as a Tribe on Satur- day, Nov. 21, with a full day of events. The celebration began with a Tribal member-only prayer service at the Tribal Cemetery in Grand Ronde. The prayer service took place at the Atud- ship rock monument north of the cemetery. The community began gath- ering at the Tribal gym at about 10 a.m. for the Resto- ration program and the midday meal. The Canoe Family start- ed the celebration with singing, drumming and dancing. Steve Bobb Sr., who is chair- man of the Tribe’s Veterans Special Event Board, emceed the event and introduced cur- rent Tribal Council members after Tribal Royalty performed “The Lord’s Prayer.” “Welcome everybody to the 32nd Restoration anniversary of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde,” Bobb said. “I’m glad you could be out here to- day. We are very blessed and very honored to be where we are today. We give thanks to those that worked so hard.” Tribal Council member Chris Photo by Michelle Alaimo Grand Ronde Canoe Family dancers perform during the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde 32nd Restoration Celebration held in the Tribal gym on Saturday, Nov. 21. Mercier was fi rst in addressing the audience. “I was only 8 years old when the Tribe got restored,” Mercier said. “This is a unique community. I’ve made friendships that I know will last a lifetime.” Tribal Council member Tonya Gleason-Shepek said that she hoped everyone would enjoy the day. “I love that we celebrate Res- toration,” she said. Tribal Council member Brenda Tuomi said she was proud to be on council. “I feel so blessed to be part of this Tribe,” Tuomi said. “I’m so thankful to our ancestors. I See RESTORATION continued on pages 10-11 Tribal fl ag hung at Willamina schools Tribal Council member Jon A. George speaks about the Tribe’s history to Willamina students during an assembly to celebrate the Tribal fl ag being hung in the gym at Willamina High School on Monday, Nov. 16. By Brent Merrill Smoke Signals staff writer W Photo by Michelle Alaimo ILLAMINA — A large contin- gent of Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde members participated in a long-awaited flag hanging ceremony during dual assem- blies held at Willamina High School on Monday, Nov. 16. The Tribal fl ag now hangs next to the Oregon fl ag, U.S. fl ag and a POW/MIA fl ag near the scoreboard in the school’s gymnasium. In an all-employee e-mail sent before the flag ceremony, Tribal Curriculum Specialist Mercedes Reeves called the event an “historic day.” The ceremony was held in two parts – one for younger elementary school chil- dren and one for older middle and high school students. To begin the ceremony, Willamina School District Superintendent Carrie See FLAG continued on page 16