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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2015)
10 S moke S ignals DECEMBER 1, 2015 'We give thanks to thos RESTORATION continued from front page wish the ancestors could be here to celebrate with us.” Tribal Council member Ed Pears- all has been working on behalf of the Tribe since first serving on council in 1994. “We had nothing at that time,” Pearsall said. “We’ve come a long way.” Tribal Council member Denise Harvey thanked those who came before her. “I want to thank (Tribal Elder and former Tribal Council Chair- woman) Kathryn Harrison. She’s here today,” Harvey said. “I want to thank her for all the hard work in getting us where we are today. I also want to thank (Tribal Elder and former Tribal Council member) Val Grout for making what we have today a possibility. It’s been such an honor and I’m so proud to serve all of you.” Tribal Council member Jon A. George said the morning prayer service at the Atudship monument was the perfect way to begin a day of celebration. “What a great day it is,” George said. “We were down at the cem- etery this morning in our prayer circle. The sun was out. It was cool and crisp. It was a beautiful way to start this day.” George said the Grand Ronde Tribe had very humble beginnings. “There was not much here,” he said. “We took care of each other. What an honor it is to be able to see a small community grow into a big and car- ing community.” Bobb delivered the meal invocation at 12:01 p.m. Tribal Coun- cil members and Tribal staff served the membership a lunch of salmon, ceremonial stew, wild rice and pies. Bobb recognized and thanked the three Tribal Elders most recognized for forging the Restoration of the Tribe. “We also want to recognize Mar- Above, Tribal Council member Tonya Gleason-Shepek helps her grandson, Reece Romans, unpack an art kit that he won in the raffle during the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde 32nd Restoration Celebration held in the Tribal gym on Saturday, Nov. 21. Behind her is her mother and Romans’ great-grandmother Tribal Elder Laura Gleason. At left, Sophie Grout colors in a coloring book that was given out during the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde 32nd Restoration Celebration held in the Tribal gym on Saturday, Nov. 21. garet Provost, Merle Holmes and Marvin Kimsey for working so extremely hard on our behalf,” Bobb said. “They got to work. They did what they had to do and they made lots of sacrifices so we could be where we are today. We always want to remember them.” The Youth Education building was open and showing the annual “Walk- ing On” video created by Tribal Graph- ic Designer George Val- dez. It includ- ed a picture of Tribal Elder Violet Folden, who walked on only two days before the Restoration cele- bration. Bobb honored and recognized past Tribal Council members Grout, Harrison and Wink Soder- berg as well as current members of the Restoration Committee – Betty Bly, Darlene Aaron, Francene Am- brose, Kathy Cole, Reina Nelson, Julie Brown, Shannon Simi, Sarah Ross, Stacia Martin, Chelsea Clark, Kalene Contreras, Faye Smith, Marcus Gibbons, Provost, Tuomi and George. Clark, Martin and Lisa Archuleta gave away raffle items throughout the daylong ceremony. The items included Tribal Pendleton blan- kets, stuffed toys and art sets. “I’ve lived here all my life,” said Leno. “When we were Terminated, we never quit being Indians; the government just quit recognizing us as Indians. In 1983, they real- ized that mistake. That is what Restoration means to me is that’s the day the government recognized their mistake and said, ‘We apol- ogize. You are still Grand Ronde. You will always be Grand Ronde.’ So for me that’s what Restoration is all about.” Master of ceremonies Fabian Quenelle called for grand entry at 3:20 p.m. for the Restoration Pow- wow that followed the meal. The Grand Ronde Color Guard consisted of Tribal Elder and for- mer Tribal Council member Steve Bobb Sr. carrying the American flag, Tribal Elder Raymond Petite carrying the POW/MIA flag, Al Miller carrying the Oregon flag, Tribal Chairman Reyn Leno carry- ing the Tribal flag and Tribal Elder Alton Butler carrying the Grand Ronde eagle staff. The Color Guard was followed by veterans Rich Van Atta, Kelly Mercier, Ron Hudson and Herman Hudson Jr. Tribal Council followed the veterans and Royalty followed Tribal Council. The shell dress dancers, fancy shawls and jingle dress dancers finished up the grand entry. Whip man Anthony Quenelle and his wife, whip woman Ramona Cheyenne Simmons dances as the Grand Ronde Canoe Family performs during the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde 32nd Restoration Celebration held in the Tribal gym on Saturday, Nov. 21.
