Smoke signals., December 15, 2016, Page 7, Image 7

S moke S ignals
DECEMBER 15, 2016
Fund honored
Photo by Michelle Alaimo
Tribal Council member Denise Harvey speaks on behalf of the Tribe and
Spirit Mountain Community Fund as the fund is inducted into Pacific
University’s President’s Circle during the university’s Celebration
of Giving event held at Tualatin Country Club on Thursday, Dec. 1.
Induction into the President’s Circle is an honor granted to donors that
have contributed $100,000 cumulatively to the university located in
Forest Grove. Lesley Hallick, Pacific University president, waits on the
left to give Harvey an award. The fund’s cumulative grant total to the
university is currently $105,000.
'I think it’s a noble effort'
STANDING ROCK
continued from page 6
are still going to Standing Rock.”
Despite the announcement of
the Army Corps’ denial of a needed
permit, Energy Transfer Partners’
construction crews have not left the
area and neither have the water
protectors.
As of press time, an arctic blast
has been pounding northern states
including North Dakota. Schools,
airports and highways have all
been closed and wind gusts at Oceti
Sakowin have reached as high as
60 mph. There is as much as 19
inches of snow on the ground and
snow drifts have been recorded as
deep as seven feet.
Western North Dakota is the
coldest place in the country with
a wind chill factor in the area of
minus 30 degrees.
“I think it’s a noble effort,” said
Tribal Council member Chris Mer-
cier of Herron’s and other Tribal
members making the journey to
North Dakota to help the cause.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen
something like this unify Indian
Country. I mean people are really
behind this. People from all walks
of life – it’s been really inspiring
for people.”
Mercier said Tribal members like
Herron, Sol George, Ann Lewis, Jo-
seph Ham, Logan Kneeland, Gab-
by Colton, Kitty Jenness-Foster,
Shayla Murphy and others make
him proud that the Grand Ronde
Tribe is paying attention to issues
in Indian Country.
“They are walking their talk and
they are showing that they are se-
rious about it,” said Mercier. “They
are actually taking action.”
Tribal General Manager Dave
Fullerton confirmed that the Grand
Ronde Tribal Council had sent a
$2,500 donation to the Standing
Rock Tribal Council and that Tribal
Chief of Staff Stacia Martin has
placed several calls to the Sioux
council and Tribal Chairman Dave
Archambault in an effort to see if
the Grand Tribe could do more.
“I would say it’s commendable
for anyone, no matter who you are,
whether you are Tribal or non-Trib-
al, whenever you take a stand on
something like that it’s commend-
able,” said Fullerton. “You take the
time and dedication to go clear back
there, especially in these conditions
any of those efforts are commend-
able. I think it’s a good presence to
be back there for sure. Tribes care
about Tribes.”
Herron said he is determined, but
humbled to be in a position to help
people who need it so badly.
“I do all of this with mindfulness
and care because I realize that ev-
ery person who has donated money
to the cause, who has donated
money to now two campaigns for
me personally, I carry the thoughts
and the prayers of all those people
with me when I go,” said Herron.
“Water is life and water is a human
right.” 
MARRIAGES IN TRIBAL COURT
The Tribal Court is now issuing marriage licenses and is able to
perform marriage ceremonies for a filing fee of $40. For questions
regarding scheduling, please contact the Tribal Court at 503-879-
2303. 
Ad created by George Valdez
7