PRESORTED STANDARD MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID PORTLAND, OR PERMIT NO. 700 Greyhound Park being demolished — pg. 23 JULY 1, 2016 Nine vying for Tribal Council By Brent Merrill Smoke Signals staff writer N ine Tribal members were nominated to run for three open Tribal Council seats and all accepted during a General Council meeting held at the Tribal Community Center on Sunday, June 26. Tribal Council elections will be determined on Saturday, Sept. 10. Eligible voters must be registered to vote and can register up to and including on Election Day. Each eligible voter is entitled to vote for up to three candidates. Of the nine nominees, the top See CANDIDATES continued on page 9 Annual summit, powwow to honor Vietnam veterans By Brent Merrill Smoke Signals staff writer V ietnam War-era veterans will be the focus of this year’s fourth annual Gathering of Warriors Native Veterans Summit on Thursday, July 7, through Sat- urday, July 9, and the annual Mar- cellus Norwest Memorial Veterans Powwow that runs Friday, July 8, through Sunday, July 10. Both events will be held at the Tribe’s Uyxat Powwow Grounds, 9600 Highway 22 (Hebo Road). See VETERANS continued on page 15 Photo by Michelle Alaimo From left, Justin Fasana, Tribal Cultural Youth Activity Specialist/Tribal Artisan Travis Stewart and Tribal Council member Jon A. George drum and sing to start the 16th private ceremony with Tomanowos held at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City on Wednesday, June 22. Tribal members visit Tomanowos By Michelle Alaimo Smoke Signals photographer N EW YORK CITY — Trib- al Cultural Youth Ac- tivity Specialist/Tribal Artisan Travis Stewart asked a Tribal group gathered in the Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Hall of the Universe at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City how many were there for the first time on Wednesday, June 22. Almost everyone raised their hand. Of the 23 Tribal members at this year’s 16th private cere- mony with Tomanowos held at the museum, it was the first ceremony for 18 of them. This year’s delegation from the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde was one of the largest ever. In addition to Stewart, attendees included Tribal Council Chairman Reyn Leno and his wife, Liz; Tribal Council members Jon A. George and Chris Mercier; Tribal Chief of Staff Stacia Martin; Public Affairs/Publications Adminis- trative Assistant Chelsea Clark; Tribal Elders Alan Ham, Dan See TOMANOWOS continued on page 18 ‘Against all odds’ Tribal Elder Marilyn Palomar and Brad Leno hug as they greet each other at the Governance Center recently. In 2001, Palomar’s son Matthew Castellon was killed in a car accident and Leno was the driving the car. Tribal members transform tragedy into hope By Brent Merrill Smoke Signals staff writer R Photo by Michelle Alaimo edemption. In the case of Tribal member Brad Leno, the pursuit of redemption has become his life’s work. Work made easier by the acceptance of Tribal Elder Marilyn Palomar. Two families; one mistake. One life lost and several lives altered forever. On July 15, 2001, then 17-year-old Leno spent a Saturday night drinking and partying with friends, and he made a decision that would change his life and the lives of many others for- ever. He decided to drive his sister’s car. Two friends joined him in the late model Hyun- See LENO continued on page 20