Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2017)
S moke S ignals JULY 1, 2017 11 Summit is creating similar events elsewhere VETERANS continued from front page will include helping veterans recon- nect with civilian life and assisting them in understanding their ben- efits, compensation, pensions and presumptive health conditions. Friday sessions will offer nu- merous informational tables for veterans and their family members, as well as a healing and self-care village and mental health first aid. Elizabeth Estabrooks, Women Veterans coordinator with the Or- egon Department of Veterans’ Af- fairs, will deliver a speech entitled “I Am Not Invisible” and summit regular Linda Woods (Ojibwe) will discuss being a woman warrior in the Air Force. The summit will conclude with a forgiveness ceremony facilitat- ed by Native Wellness Institute Executive Director Jillene Joseph in the nearby Tribal plankhouse, achaf-hammi. The Veterans Summit, which was first held in 2013 after Leno attend- ed a planning meeting held in San Diego, is sponsored by the Grand Ronde Tribe, Native Wellness Institute based in Gresham and Veterans Affairs’ Office of Tribal Government Relations. Joseph said the original intent of the summit was to foster awareness of veterans’ issues and provide op- portunities for healing for veterans of all ages. “Looking at five years back from now, what I am most proud of is more women veterans coming for- ward,” Joseph said. “Some of our feedback in the past was that even though this was called a ‘veterans summit,’ to them it still meant male veterans. We have tried to invite more women veteran speakers If you go Veterans Summit: Gathering of Warriors V When: 1 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 6, and 9 a.m. to 5:35 p.m. Friday, July 7 Where: Uyxat Powwow Grounds, 9600 Highway 22 (Hebo Road) Cost: The event is free and intended for all veterans More information: 800-422-0232 If you go Marcellus Norwest Memorial Veterans Powwow When: Grand entries at 7 p.m. Friday, July 7, 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, July 8, and 1 p.m. Sunday, July 9 Where: Uyxat Powwow Grounds, 9600 Highway 22 (Hebo Road) Cost: The event is free and intended for all veterans Vendor information: Contact Molly Leno at 503-983-6790 or at Charleslenojr75@gmail.com and do more outreach to females so that we have more female veterans coming. That’s exciting.” Joseph said that she is also proud that the Grand Ronde Veterans Summit is encouraging the creation of similar summits elsewhere in Indian Country. “The attention, the focus on veter- ans and how things trickle out from the summit,” she said. “Other com- munities doing their own summits has been another plus. That was another reason we wanted to do it. Smoke Signals file photo Tribal Elder Steve Bobb Sr. talks during a workshop that was part of the fourth annual Veterans Summit: Gathering of Warriors at Uyxat Powwow Grounds last July. This year’s summit is Thursday and Friday, July 6-7. Show an example of how it could be done for people to take back to their communities.” Nick Sixkiller, who acted as master of ceremonies at the Veterans Sum- mit, will continue that role for the powwow and Carlos Calica will be the arena director. Tony Whitehead and Linda Meanus will be Head Man and Woman Dancers, respectively, and Bad Soul will be the host drum. Vendors interested in selling their wares or food at the Veterans Powwow should contact Molly Leno at 503-879-6790 or via e-mail at charleslenojr75@gmail.com. Tribal Veterans Special Event Board Chairman Steve Bobb Sr., a Marine Corps veteran from the Vietnam War era, said the Vet- erans Powwow is an opportunity to visit with old friends and swap military service stories. “It’s always nice to see everybody again,” Bobb said. “Rekindle the old friendships and the ongoing things with veterans. We like to visit and talk old stories. That’s always fun. You see the same people every year, and that’s good. They keep coming back, and that’s good.” The 5-year-old Veterans Sum- mit, as always, seeks to connect veterans with the Veterans Affairs’ benefits they earned through their military service. “I think we’re gaining on it,” Bobb said. “It started out kind of slow. It’s always been a struggle to get the word out that it’s not just for Tribal veterans, but for all veter- ans. I think we are at least starting to gain on some of those things that we were trying to help out with. “Veterans are a hard group to deal with because some of them are kind of resentful still, especial- ly of governmental agencies. And more, I guess, from my era. We try to tell them, ‘You’ve earned this stuff. You’ve earned it. You have it coming.’ ” Hoop for Health! 2017 When: August 18th-20th Tournament times: Friday, Aug. 18 | 5 p.m.- 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19 | 8 a.m.- 9 p.m. Sunday Aug. 20 | 8 a.m.- Until finished (If needed) Who can play: Coed Middle school and High school brackets (teams of 4) 2016-2017 school year, must bring ID. Where: Cost: 'Uyxat Pow Wow Grounds - Grand Ronde, Oregon Free! 3 point contest | Prizes for 3 point contest, 1st, and 2nd place teams! All teams must have a coach, 18 years or older | Limited Team spots available! Presentation on healthy lifestyle awareness! *Deadline to Register Aug 11th* To register a team Contact Harris Reibach: 503-879-1369 Ad created by George Valdez Recreation Department
