S moke S ignals
JUNE 1, 2018
5
Tribal Council sets June
per capita payment date
By Dean Rhodes
Smoke Signals editor
2013 – Tribal Elder John Lillard, 64, was featured for his dedi-
cation to weight loss and healthy living after he lost nearly half of
his body weight, slimming down his 6-foot-5-inch frame from 400
to 240 pounds. Lillard credited fresh fruit, vegetables, lean meat,
exercise and determination for his weight loss. After years of health
problems, he finally had enough in 2005 and threw out all processed
food and soda in his home. “If I liked somebody, why would I want
to give them this crap?” he said.
2008 – Memorial Day
included a keynote speech
from then-Gov. Ted Ku-
longoski at the West Val-
ley Veterans Memorial in
Grand Ronde. Beginning
at 8 a.m., some 50 Tribal
and family members and
veterans from across West
Valley gathered for the
first in a series of events.
It was the start of an on-
again, off-again chilly,
rainy and sunny day that
included an address by
Kulongoski and the first
Tribal ceremony held with
fresh ceremonial meat.
2003 – The Tribe’s Spir-
it Mountain Community
Fund reached the $20 mil-
lion mark in giving with
a gala dinner and enter-
tainment at Portland Art 2008
File photo
Museum. On stage at the
museum, members of Oregon Coast Children’s Theatre, one of the
grant recipients, brought a Native American myth to life. Represen-
tatives of many of the 254 recipient organizations of the fund’s 347
grants since 1997 attended, plus Tribal Elders, Tribal officials, staff
members and government officials.
1998 – Tribal Information Day was celebrated at the State Capitol
building with a proclamation presented by Oregon Secretary of State
Phil Keisling to kick off the day set aside for Oregon citizens to learn
firsthand about Tribal culture, history and community programs.
Traditional dancers and drummers, as well as informational tables,
were on hand for the event. Tribal leaders said that the proclama-
tion honoring Oregon Indian nations was a significant recognition
of indigenous sovereignty.
1993 – The first year of the Tribe’s Head Start program wrapped
up and was touted as the “first of its kind” in Grand Ronde. It was de-
veloped in conjunction with the Yamhill Community Action Program
of McMinnville. Nineteen children attended the program, which was
staffed by teacher Angela Bedortha, assistant teacher Mary Cook
and family services advocate June Olson. Bedortha emphasized the
differences between the program and another daycare or preschool.
“We discuss the differences and similarities between the different
cultures,” she said. “A lot of children don’t have current concepts of
what a Native American is.”
1988 – Eleven people were nominated for three open Tribal Council
seats. Those nominated included John Allen, Frank Harrison, Merle
Holmes, Marvin Kimsey, Gene LaBonte, Ed Larsen, Merle Leno,
Tom Leno, Ray McKnight, Darrel Mercier and Riley Porter. The
incumbents were Merle Leno, Gene LaBonte and Ray McKnight.
The second per capita payment
date of 2018 will occur on Friday,
June 15, after Tribal Council ap-
proved the distribution date at its
Wednesday, May 23, meeting.
Tribal Finance Officer Chris Leno
said the payment amount will not
be known until early June.
In other action, Tribal Council
approved the re-appointments of
Tribal member Kevin Schultz and
Dennis Dinsmore to the Grand
Ronde Gaming Commission. Both
terms will run through June 2021.
Tribal Council also approved
amendments to the Tobacco Or-
dinance that will establish a
minimum age of 21 for sale or
distribution by licensed operators,
bringing the Tribal law in line with
state law. However, the ordinance
is not intended to interfere with
the use of tobacco for ceremonial
purposes.
An infant also was enrolled into
the Tribe because they meet the
requirements outlined in the Trib-
al Constitution and Enrollment
Ordinance.
Also included in the May 23 Trib-
al Council packet were approved
authorizations to proceed that
transferred $30,000 from contin-
gency to Economic Development
for the 2018 Chemawa Station
operating budget and OK’d a letter
from the Tribe to the Environmen-
tal Protection Agency regarding
hydrologic connection.
An authorization to proceed to
spend $10,000 to install bullet re-
sistant steel plating on the inside
wall of Tribal Council’s bench in
Tribal Council Chambers and the
Community Center failed.
Tribal Council Chairwoman
Cheryle A. Kennedy made the
cultural presentation to open the
meeting and discussed the welcom-
ing event held earlier in the day for
16 items from the Summers Col-
lection that are held by the British
Museum in London.
“It was a very moving experience
to see some of those objects,” Ken-
nedy said.
“The Rise of the Collectors” exhib-
it at Chachalu Museum & Cultural
Center opens to the public on Tues-
day, June 5.
The entire meeting can be viewed
on the Tribal website www.gran-
dronde.org by clicking on the News
tab and then Video.
Social Services has bike helmets
The Tribe’s Social Services Department has bicycle helmets
available for distribution. Those needing a helmet should visit the
department and sign a helmet application, as well as get fitted.
For more information, contact Social Services at 503-879-2034.
Yesteryears is a look back at Tribal history in five-year in-
crements through the pages of Smoke Signals.
Willamina School District
offering free summer meals
The Willamina School District will once again provide free meals to
children during the summer as part of its partnership with the U.S. De-
partment of Agriculture.
Anyone ages 1 to 18 can eat for free.
Meals will be served Monday through Friday from June 18 through Aug.
3 with the exception of July 4. Locations will be Willamina Elementary
School from 10:45 to 11:15 a.m., Tina Miller Park near Willamina City
Hall from 11:30 to noon, and Raven Loop Park in Grand Ronde from 12:30
to 1 p.m. There are no income requirements or registration required.
For more information, visit www.willamina.k12.or.us or call 503-876-
2702.
Ad created by George Valdez