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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2017)
10 S moke S ignals DECEMBER 1, 2017 'Some people turne RESTORATION continued from front page vost said with a smile. Although Provost had no experi- ence with Restoration, government or politics, she acted on faith and hard work to bring people, some with very different ideas, together. Thankfully, with the help of other Tribal members, including former Tribal Council Chairwoman Kath- ryn Harrison, who had previously assisted the Siletz Tribe in regain- ing federal recognition, they began to navigate through the numerous federal requirements to once again become a federally recognized Tribe. “There were a lot of meetings,” Provost said. “Some people turned their backs on us.” After a meeting held at the Grand Ronde Library that was standing room only, Provost said she realized the tide was starting to turn. “They wanted to be recognized as a Tribe again … It was a good thing,” she said. After countless hours and years of work, the group garnered the support of local, state and federal officials, as well as various organi- zations. “When our bill was passed (by Congress), 400 went in and 12 passed,” Provost said. “Ours was one of them.” Restoration celebration The Restoration Celebration began at 8 a.m. with a sacred cere- mony at the atudship rock mound adjacent to the Tribal Cemetery and included prayers and singing. Afterward, a Canoe Family pro- cession kicked off festivities at the Tribal gym with cultural drumming and singing by Cultural Education Coordinator Jordan Mercier, Tribal Cultural Adviser Bobby Mercier, Tribal Artisan Brian Krehbiel, Tribal Council Vice Chair Chris Tribal E Commi during was ho The Grand Ronde Canoe Family sings during the 34th Restoration Celebration held in the Tribal gym on Wednesday, Nov. 22. Mercier and Tribal Council Secre- tary Jon A. George among many others. Tribal Youth Prevention Coordinator Cristina Lara and Pub- lic Affairs Administrative Assistant Chelsea Clark also participated. Canoe Family songs included “Traveling With Our Ancestors,” “Salmon Song and Dance” and “New Beginnings.” “It doesn’t matter what happened before,” Bobby Mercier said. “When we wake up, it’s an opportunity to start things the right way. It doesn’t matter what happened yesterday.” Morning festivities focused on Restoration-era Elders, the pre-Restoration Tribal Council, past Tribal Council members and recognition of oldest Elders. All current Tribal Council mem- bers attended the event. Tribal Elder and former Tribal Council member Steve Bobb Sr. and Jon A. George served as program emcees. “We have come a long way and need to be very thankful for those who helped us get to where we are today,” Bobb said. “What an appropriate day this is to have Restoration, on the day before Thanksgiving.” Chris Mercier recalled growing up in Grand Ronde and told those in attendance that when he was 15 he used to buck hay in a field that is now the Tribal gym. “We are so lucky to be Tribal members and have what we do to- day,” he said. “It is hard to believe it has been 34 years.” When Mercier thanked key Resto- ration figure, Tribal Elder and long- time Tribal Council Chair Kathryn Harrison for her efforts, loud ap- plause erupted across the gym. Grand Ronde Canoe Family member Kailiyah Krehbiel dances as the Canoe Family performs during the 34th Restoration Celebration held in the Tribal gym on Wednesday, Nov. 22. “Her name is well known in Indi- an Country,” he said. Harrison also was honored later for being the eldest female Elder in attendance at 93 years of age. William “Wink” Soderberg was the eldest male Elder at 83. Chris Mercier recognized for- mer Tribal Council members in attendance, which included Bobb, Tonya Gleason-Shepek, Harrison, Provost, Reyn Leno, June Sherer and Ed Larsen. “It’s a fun job (being on Tribal Council), but not always an easy job,” he said. Bobb gave the lunch invocation and thanked the many blessings given to the Grand Ronde Tribe. Then, Restoration Committee and