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Spirit Mountain Casino wraps up remodel — pg. 17
FEBRUARY 15, 2017
Tribe reassessing
its banking services
with Wells Fargo
Tribal Government Day
By Brent Merrill
Smoke Signals staff writer
R
ecent negative news about
Wells Fargo Bank coupled
with the bank’s funding of
projects like the Dakota Access
Pipeline in North Dakota has
prompted Grand Ronde Tribal
members to question the relation-
ship between the Tribe and finan-
cial institution.
Among those members asking
questions was Tribal Elder Tracie
Meyer at the Wednesday, Jan. 25,
Tribal Council meeting.
In response, Tribal member and
Finance Officer Chris Leno said the
Tribe has issued a request for pro-
posals, or RFP, that will allow the
Tribe to address several concerns
and examine if it is getting the best
deal on its banking funds.
Leno said the Tribe routinely is-
sues RFPs every three to five years
so questions from Tribal members
about Wells Fargo’s business prac-
tices made it a good time to reassess
the relationship.
“We are being prudent as an
organization,” Leno said. “Wheth-
er it’s banking or investments or
consulting, to go out every three
to five years to make sure that you
are re-examining your relationship
with your business partners and
you make sure your (deal) is still
competitive in the market. That’s
what we’re doing.”
One of the most visible reasons,
and one of the reasons why Mey-
er asked Tribal Council about
Wells Fargo, is the bank’s support
through investment funding of En-
See BANKING
continued on page 21
Photo by Michelle Alaimo
Tribal Youth Council member Izaiah Fisher, left, tells Oregon Gov. Kate Brown about his cedar bow tie after she
asked about it during Tribal Government Day held at the State Capitol building in Salem on Thursday, Feb. 9.
Youth Council members meet
governor at annual event
By Bethany Bea
Smoke Signals Intern
S
ALEM — Ben Souede,
general counsel to Oregon
Gov. Kate Brown, met his
potential future boss during
Tribal Government Day held on
Thursday, Feb. 9.
During a tour of the State Cap-
itol building, Grand Ronde Youth
Council member Izaiah Fisher
met Souede and shook his hand.
“In a few years, I’m pretty sure
you’re going to see me in the gov-
ernor’s spot,” Fisher said.
The annual event is a chance
for Oregon’s Tribes to make
intergovernmental connections
and educate legislators and the
public about who they are. This
year, five Youth Council mem-
bers shadowed Grand Ronde
Tribal Council members during
the event and toured the Capitol
building.
“It’s very exciting to have our
Youth Council here today,” said
Tribal Council member Tonya
Gleason-Shepek. “This is an im-
portant day for Oregon on build-
See GOVERNMENT DAY
continued on page 13
Second phase construction begins at Chachalu
By Brent Merrill
Smoke Signals staff writer
T
he planned Phase II construction and ex-
pansion project for the Tribe’s Chachalu
Museum & Cultural Center is underway
and the building will be closed to visitors until
the project’s completion.
According to the project plan, the Cultural
Resources Department staff housed in the build-
ing, which used to be the home of Grand Ronde
Elementary School and then Willamina Middle
School before the Tribe purchased the building
Photo by Michelle Alaimo
in 2011, will remain and be temporarily locat-
ed into alternate office spaces. Staff members’
phone extensions will remain the same so that
people can get in touch with them through nor-
mal channels.
“As far as I’m aware this is the only capital
improvement project in the 2017 budget,” said
Tribal member and Cultural Resources Depart-
ment Manager David Harrelson. “It was needed
See CONSTRUCTION
continued on page 20
Tribal Cultural Collections Coordinator Veronica Montano removes baskets from an exhibit at Chachalu
Museum & Cultural Center in Grand Ronde on Friday, Feb. 10, in preparation for construction of Phase II
of the center.