S moke S ignals
JUNE 1, 2017
Man sentenced for damaging
Tribal archaeological site
MEDFORD – Jason Christopher Ruppel, 44, of Grants Pass was sen-
tenced to three years of probation for excavating and damaging an archae-
ological site on federal lands within the Grand Ronde Tribe’s ancestral
homelands.
The Tribe submitted a letter at Ruppel’s sentencing expressing its
concern about the damage done to a site along the Rogue River, which
served as several permanent Native American villages over a period of
about 8,000 years.
U.S. District Court Judge Ann Aiken sentenced Ruppel for violating the
Archaeological Resources Protection Act. He pleaded guilty to the felony
in February.
Ruppell admitted that in April and May 2013 he violated the act by
digging on Bureau of Land Management land and damaging a known
archaeological resource. He was seen excavating and removing items
from the site on at least seven different days during a two-month period.
In addition to probation, he was ordered to pay $2,500 in restitution
for costs associated with restoring the site. While on probation, Ruppel is
banned from lands managed by the federal government.
“Archaeological resources serve as an important link to the past for many
Tribal communities,” U.S. Attorney for Oregon Billy J. Williams said. “The
impact of damaging cultural assets extends far beyond a single Tribe or
community – it impacts all Americans. We will continue to aggressively
prosecute those who commit similar crimes in the future.”
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9
Congratulations Isabelle we love you
and couldn't be more proud. You have
worked so hard this year to accom-
plished your goals, we are certain that
you will do the same in high school.
But, remember to have fun, always
be kind and Slay (LOL).
Love, Dad, Mom, Sophie and the
rest of your family.
Admitted to the Bar
Photo by Michelle Alaimo
Brooks Wakeland takes the oath as he is sworn in as a lawyer during
the Admission of New Lawyers ceremony held at Smith Auditorium
on Willamette University’s campus in Salem on Thursday, May 18.
Wakeland graduated from the University of Oregon School of Law in
May 2016 and passed the Oregon State Bar in February. He is currently
the Tribe’s Honors Attorney.
The Confederated Tribes
of Grand Ronde
13th ANNUAL
FAMILY NIGHT OUT
METH AWARENESS
& RESOURCE FAIR
*FREE EVENT*
COME & JOIN IN THE
FUN!!!
Stump Jump
100
FOOT
SLIDE
Rat Race
Obstacle Course
Thursday
June 15, 2017
4:30-8 p.m.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
CALL 503-879-2034
ZIP LINE
Registration Information
$50 for conference
$25 for plank house dinner
$25 for workshops
Free for Tribal Members
and Staff
Rooms are available
at Spirit Mountain Casino
for $69 per night if you
reference the History Summit
Confederated Tribes of
Grand Ronde Campus
Join us for two days of interdisciplinary
lectures and discussions. Sessions will
include topics on anthropology, culture,
history, archaeology, and environment.
Each day there will be a light breakfast
and lunch provided. There will be
an evening event at the plank house
for the first 150 guests who register. The
event will include a dinner.
Princess 5 in 1
Combo
Rock Wall &
Monkey Motion
Confederated Tribes of
Grand Ronde Gymnasium
9615 Grand Ronde Rd.
Grand Ronde, OR 97347
Further information at
www.grandronde.org/hcsummit
Thank you for respecting Grand Ronde Tribal
Community and our Culture by not
displaying gang affiliation, or by bringing drugs,
alcohol or weapons to this event.