2
S moke S ignals
MAY 1, 2016
NOTICE — Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Meetings
DATE
TIME
Wednesday, May 4...............................................................................5 p.m.
Wednesday, May 18.............................................................................5 p.m.
Please note that these times and dates are subject to change if needed.
Letters
Dear Smoke Signals:
Over three years ago, the Oregon Department of Human Services
informed us that our grandchildren, who were in temporary foster care
(through no fault of their own), were about to be placed for adoption or
placed in permanent foster care. At the time, we were the only relatives
that were available to take custody of the three girls. We went through
foster care school, background checks and all the other necessary paper-
work and seminars to qualify for custody. When we thought we had met all
the requirements, DHS told us, “Sorry, but your house is not big enough.”
We had heard something about the “grandfamily” program and Betty
made an appointment with Shonn Leno in Housing to discuss the housing
issue we were having with the state. Shonn and staff were very helpful
with all the paperwork and Leon Ramos went the extra mile to get our
new home ready on such short notice.
The house is perfect for family living with three bedrooms and two
baths. There is a playground in the backyard for the little ones and easy
access to the senior center. Solar panels help keep the home electric bill
affordable. All this made the whole process lots less stressful. When kids
are upset and insecure because they don’t understand why they cannot
be with the only family they have ever known, a good, warm and secure
home is an absolute must.
Things have worked out very well for us. All of the issues regarding the
family have been worked out through the courts over the years and the
kids have been reunited with their mother and are doing great! Kudos
to the Tribe and especially those in Housing for seeing us through those
troubled times. You helped make a family whole again.
With our appreciation and thanks.
Betty and Roger Bly
Roll #3544
Dear Smoke Signals:
To all Tribal members, I would like to bring attention to the Wednesday
Tribal Council meeting held on April 20, 2016. The reason I am writing
this letter to you is so our members that do not or cannot view this meeting
know the information given.
At that meeting, I asked questions about the upcoming vote to be held
concerning the deinition of Grand Ronde blood. I asked a question of the
four out of ive members who attended that if the change of blood deinition
passes if they know how many new members could enroll. I told council
members that I believed they owed it to the membership to give us a “yes”
or “no” answer to my question that if the amendments concerning deini-
tion passed if they had any idea of how many new members could enroll.
In my opinion I felt as if the council members asked were avoiding my ques-
tions and after some time the Chair answered their question for me, which
was a “No.” Following Reyn Leno’s answer, Chris Mercier and Denise Harvey
said there would be information given prior to the vote. My opinion regarding
this issue is that if we go into this blindly and it were to pass, no one knows
how many it would bring in and how much it could affect our programs.
Another concern of mine is there is nothing in the language stopping the
amount of members this could bring in if it were to get out of control. Other
Tribes have made this mistake in the past and the results were disastrous.
Reyn Leno also stated later in the meeting that as hard as it has been to
get meetings on this issue, he does not believe there is enough time to get
information on this matter prior to the vote. In my opinion, to go blindly into
this issue and vote on these matters would be very careless and irresponsi-
ble for our council to do. As of now, we have no idea how many could enroll
and how hard it could affect our programs if the amendments were to pass.
Also at the meeting, Toby McClary and others expressed how they felt
that having to vote on bundled amendments forced them to vote on issues
they did not agree with and basically did not seem like the right thing to
do. I have to say as I have in prior letters that I totally agree.
Tribal Council member Chris Mercier’s response to these statements
is that he believed bundling these issues together gives them a better
chance of passing.
In closing, I will state it is another opinion of mine that this bundling
issue has contributed to much of the division that has arose in our mem-
bership and I sure hope this is the last time we have to face this matter.
Please remember people, we are all in this together and all affected by it,
and we need to try and reach the best possible answers together without
making decisions that put the future of our people in danger. There is too
much unknown to pass these amendments.
Rex D. Haller
Roll #905
Tribal Council nominations
11 a.m. Sunday, June 26
Tribal Community Center
Smoke Signals
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DEADLINE DATE
ISSUE DATE
Thursday, May 5 ......................... May 15
Friday, May 20 .............................June 1
Monday, June 6 ..........................June 15
Editorial Policy
SMOKE SIGNALS, a publication of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Com-
munity of Oregon, is published twice a month. No portion of this publication may be reprinted
without permission.
Our editorial policy is intended to encourage input from Tribal members and readers
about stories printed in the Tribal newspaper. However, all letters received must be
signed by the author, an address must be given and a phone number or e-mail address
must be included for veriication purposes. Full addresses and phone numbers will not
be published unless requested.
SMOKE SIGNALS reserves the right to edit letters and to refuse letters that are determined
to contain libelous statements or personal attacks on individuals, staff, Tribal administration
or Tribal Council. Not all letters are guaranteed publication upon submission. Letters to the
editor are the opinions and views of the writer. Published letters do not necessarily relect the
opinions of SMOKE SIGNALS, Tribal staff, Tribal administration or Tribal Council.
Members of: Native American Journalists Association
Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association
2016 Tribal Council
1-800-422-0232 — tribalcouncil@grandronde.org
Reyn Leno
Tribal Chairman
— ext. 2399
Denise Harvey
— ext. 2353
reyn.leno@grandronde.org
Chris Mercier
— ext. 1444
Jack Giffen Jr.
Tribal Vice Chair
— ext. 2300
jack.giffen@grandronde.org
Cheryle A. Kennedy
Tribal Secretary
— ext. 2352
cheryle.kennedy@grandronde.org
Tribal Oice Closures
503-879-1961
denise.harvey@grandronde.org
chris.mercier@grandronde.org
Brenda Tuomi
— ext. 4555
brenda.tuomi@grandronde.org
Tonya Gleason-Shepek
— ext. 1777
tonya.gleason-shepek@grandronde.org
Ed Pearsall
— ext. 2305
Jon A. George
— ext. 2355
ed.pearsall@grandronde.org
jon.george@grandronde.org