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.