4
S moke S ignals
MAY 1, 2017
ANNOUNCEMENT
2012 – Approximately 250 federal and Tribal leaders and staff
members attended the Environmental Protection Agency’s Region
10 Tribal Leaders’ Summit held April 30 through May 4 at Spirit
Mountain Casino. It was the first EPA summit hosted by the Grand
Ronde Tribe.
2007 – A marathon com-
munity meeting held at the
Embassy Suites Hotel at the
Portland Airport discussed
Tribal efforts to amend en-
rollment requirements. The
meeting lasted so long that
hotel employees shut off
the lights in the conference
room to remind Tribal mem-
File photo
bers that their rental time
had expired.
2002 – Chief Justice Don Owen Costello, Robert Miller and David
Thompson comprised the new Tribal Court of Appeals that was
established by Tribal Council in June 2001. “With more cases, with
more laws, it’s important to know we’re making the right decisions,”
Tribal Court Administrator Angela Fasana said. “It’s important
to have more than one person solidifying those laws and setting
precedents.”
1997 – Spirit Mountain Casino was advertising to hire a hotel
general manager who would be “directly involved in the planning,
design and development of a 100-room hotel to be completed by fall
1997.”
1992 – The grand opening of the Tribal Community Center held
on April 15 was hailed as a “fine example of leadership” by Oregon
Sen. Mark Hatfield. About 150 people helped celebrate and bless the
new Tribal facility. Since its opening, it has been booked for classes,
Tribal and public meetings, church services and exercise classes.
1987 – Tribal General Manager Jim Willis said that creation of
the proposed Grand Ronde Reservation would generate $1.2 million
annually in timber revenues and create many jobs in the West Valley
area of Sheridan, Willamina and Grand Ronde. He added that the
estimated Tribal revenue would actually have a $2.4 million effect
on the local economy.
Yesteryears is a look back at Tribal history in five-year in-
crements through the pages of Smoke Signals.
Ad created by George Valdez
The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde recently implemented a
process that will allow all Tribal members who reside in the state of
Oregon the option of requesting Oregon income tax withholdings from
their per capita and Elders benefit payments. Information regarding
this option was mailed to all Oregon resident Tribal members the
week of March 6.
While recognizing we have Tribal members who currently reside through-
out the 50 states, we will not be offering the state income tax withholding
option to Tribal members who reside outside of Oregon at this time. The
administrative time, costs and reporting requirements to implement the
option in all states would be very expensive. This is the main contributing
factor in our decision not to offer the option outside of Oregon.
There are a couple of options for Tribal members who wish to set
aside money to cover any potential year-end state tax liability:
 Tribal members aged 18 and older can defer a portion of their
per capita payments to their adult savings plan. That money
would be available to withdraw from your savings plan as needed.
Please note – this option is not available for Elders payments.
Money cannot be deferred to the adult savings plan from Elders
payments.
 Open a regular savings account at a bank or credit union and
set aside money throughout the year for your use as needed.
 Check with your state’s taxing authority to determine if you are
able to pay “estimated” taxes throughout the year, which could
reduce the amount you are required to pay at year-end.
We encourage you to seek advice from your tax accountant or CPA
should you have any questions about your specific state tax liability. 
Groups form Helping
Hands, set May 10 meeting
iskam mfkhmfk haws, The Clothes Closet, Empowerment Outreach
Ministries, Lighthouse Church, the Women’s Transitional House and A
Cause For Paws have joined forces in an effort to support local families.
The group, named Grand Ronde Helping Hands, seeks to bring together
those who are supporting families in Grand Ronde to share services and
resources, and create a resource guide.
Helping Hands’ next meeting will be 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 10, at
iskam mfkhmfk haws, 9675 Grand Ronde Road. If you provide any type
of services to families in the community, consider attending. The group
is looking for meal site calendars, food box sites, clothes closets, showers
and laundry services. There also will be a collection day at iskam mfkhmfk
haws from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 13. Donations are being sought
of personal care items, men’s clothing, school supplies, toilet paper, dish
soap, HE laundry detergent and pet items, as well as tents, sleeping bags,
pillows, warm blankets, rain gear and heavy jackets to restock the shelves.
Helping Hands continues to seek a volunteer with graphic arts skills to
create a logo that represents all of the organizations. The logo would be
used on business cards, a banner and possibly a website, and the artist
possibly would receive a small honorarium.
For more information, contact Food Bank Coordinator Francene Ambrose
at 503-879-3663 or by e-mail at fambrose@marionpolkfoodshare.org. 
Ad created by George Valdez