PRESORTED STANDARD MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID PORTLAND, OR PERMIT NO. 700 Fund tops $73 million in giving — pg. 5 APRIL 1, 2017 Breast plate donated to Tribe has gone missing By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor A breast plate made from spent brass M16 shells that was donated to the Grand Ronde Tribe during the 2016 Veterans Powwow is missing and Crime Stoppers of Oregon and the Grand Ronde Police Department are asking for the public’s help in retrieving it. Veterans Special Event Board Chairman Steve Bobb Sr. said the last time the one- of-a-kind breast plate was seen by anyone was during last August’s Contest Pow- wow. See PLATE continued on page 4 ‘21 Money’ meeting draws interest By Brent Merrill Smoke Signals staff writer A ll Tribal Council members attended a meeting held at the Tribal Community Center on Wednesday, March 15, to support an ongoing discussion about how the Tribe can help young members make informed financial decisions regarding the trust funds they receive upon turning 21. As many as 100 people attended the meeting, which was hosted by Planning Director Rick George. “I want to thank you all for being here and welcome you all to this community meeting,” George said. “When I say ‘community’ I really want to emphasize ‘community.’ This meeting is organized to (hear) talk from you to us about the minor trust fund. This is an opportunity for Tribal members and as much See MONEY continued on page 11 Photo by Michelle Alaimo Angie Blackwell, left, acting as a moderator, listens as Alec Mercier talks about his experience with receiving his Minors’ Trust Fund money during a “21 Money” community meeting held in the Tribal Community Center on Wednesday, March 15. In the middle listening is Melissa Biery, who was also there to share her experience and both her and Mercier provided input on how to improve the program for when young adult Tribal members receive their funds. Prompt romp! Easter Egg Hunt set for April 15 By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor E Smoke Signals file photo aster is Sunday, April 16, which means one important thing to Grand Ronde resi- dents: This year’s annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, April 15, at the covered area in Tribal family housing. Rental Housing & Self Sufficien- cy Coordinator Deborah Kroeker said this is one Tribal event that requires extreme promptness on the part of parents and prospective Easter egg hunters. “Remind people to be early,” Kroeker said. “We always start on time.” The hunt starts promptly at 10 a.m. and there are four hunt catego- Smoke Signals file photo Just like last year’s Easter Egg Hunt, the Easter Bunny will be available for photos at this year’s annual Easter Egg Hunt held at the covered area in Tribal Housing on Saturday, April 15. ries for children ages 1 to 2, 3 to 4, 5 to 8 and 9 to 12. Egg hunters are advised to bring their own Easter basket to put their eggs in. Parents are reminded to bring their own camera and Tribal Elder Steve Bobb Sr. is slated to be this year’s Easter Bunny again as he has in past years. He will be posing for pictures with children before and after the hunt. Kroeker said members of the Tribe’s Housing Department as well as a handful of other volunteers stuff about 2,000 plastic eggs with candy for the event. Tribal Council sponsors the event and pays for the candy. “This will be an event for the kids to have fun,” Kroeker said. “The kids all seem to have a good time. This is old-fashioned fun. We get out there and have a good time. I think it’s fantastic.” But, she reiterated, don’t be late. n Ed Larsen: A silent leader who represented the Tribe well By Brent Merrill Smoke Signals staff writer T ribal Elder Edward Earl Larsen Jr. is legendary on the Reservation for his kindness and huge heart and local residents know him affectionately as “Fast Eddie.” Larsen, who served on Tribal Council from 1992 through 2004, owned the Spirit Moun- tain Store at the corner of Hebo and Grand Ronde roads before beginning his 12-year Photo by Michelle Alaimo run on Tribal Council. During the time he owned the store and served on Tribal Council, Larsen gained a reputation for giving and looking out for his friends, family and cus- tomers. Larsen graduated from Willamina High See ELDERS FEATURE continued on pages 14-15 Tribal Elder Ed Larsen Jr. at his Grand Ronde home on Monday, March 27.