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