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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (April 15, 2018)
PRESORTED STANDARD MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID PORTLAND, OR PERMIT NO. 700 General Council briefed on Natural Resources — pg. 7 APRIL 15, 2018 Veronica Gaston pushes Tribal Elder Kathryn Harrison as they participate in a “Blue Heron Song” fun dance during the three- day “Gathering of Grand Ronde Tilixam” held in the Tribal gym on Wednesday, April 11. The children in the Tribe’s Chinuk Immersion class sang and danced at the gathering. Photo by Michelle Alaimo Family matters First Gathering of Grand Ronde Tilixam held April 11-13 By Danielle Frost Smoke Signals staff writer T he Grand Ronde Tribe has faced considerable historical ob- stacles: Being forced on to a Reservation, discouraged and sometimes legally required to abstain from traditional practices and lifestyles, Termination in 1954 and the subsequent relocation of many Tribal families. After years of hard work and perseverance, the Tribe was restored in 1983 and has subsequently flourished, albeit with its share of struggles and growing pains. The first three-day Gathering of Grand Ronde Tilixam, held Wednesday through Friday, April 11-13, in the Tribal gym sought to give Tribal members an opportunity to connect, remember the past See TILIXAM continued on page 11 Senior momentum Elders Committee Chair Jennie VanAtta committed to being involved By Danielle Frost Smoke Signals staff writer G rand Ronde Elders Commit- tee Chair Jen- nie VanAtta has only lived in the area for four years, but has immersed herself in community involvement from the start. She opens her calendar to demon- strate how retirement can be just Tribal Elder Jennie VanAtta is the current Elders Committee chair. She has lived in Grand Ronde for four years and has immersed herself in the community. as busy as any other time of life. It is filled with volunteer activities, outings and medical visits. The last portion is due mostly to a back injury suffered during her 50s. VanAtta doesn’t mince words when she describes it. See ELDERS FEATURE continued on pages 12-13 Photo by Michelle Alaimo
