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Gathering of Grand
Ronde Tilixam
— pg. 8
JUNE 1, 2019
Casino float
to honor Tribal
fishing traditions
By Dean Rhodes
Smoke Signals editor
C
onsidering the Grand Ronde
Tribe’s return to ceremonial-
ly fish at Willamette Falls
last October and this spring, it’s
no surprise that Spirit Mountain
Casino’s float entry in this year’s
Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade
centers around fishing.
Designed by Tribal Council mem-
ber Steve Bobb Sr., the casino’s
float “A Culture of Fishing” will be
the first one going down the 4.2-
mile Grand Floral Parade route
on Saturday, June 8, in downtown
Portland.
The Tribe’s float – always the first
out of Memorial Coliseum – was
built by Portland-based SCI 3.2,
which has built every casino float
for the last 23 years.
“A lot of Tribal members were
saying they wanted the float to
reflect Grand Ronde,” Bobb said.
“I was discussing it with Jocelyn
FLOAT continued
on page 14
If you go
Spirit Mountain Casino
Grand Floral Parade
When: 10 a.m. Saturday, June 8
Where: Memorial Coliseum
down Martin Luther King Jr.
Boulevard to downtown Portland
ending at Lincoln High School
Admission: Indoor: $30 re-
served and $15 supersaver;
Outdoor: $30 reserved chairs,
$25 reserved bleachers
More info: www.rosefestival.org
Photos by Timothy J. Gonzalez
Grand Ronde Royalty members perform “ The Lord's Prayer ” during the 17th annual Memorial Day ceremony held
at the West Valley Veterans Memorial on Monday, May 27. Fifteen names were added to the memorial this year.
Honoring those who sacrificed
West Valley Veterans Memorial hosts 17th annual event
By Danielle Frost
Smoke Signals staff writer
he 17th annual Memori-
al Day ceremony held at
the West Valley Veterans
Memorial on the Grand Ronde
Tribal campus on Monday, May
27, was highlighted by 15 names
being added to the four black
granite pillars that represent
the major branches of the U.S.
T
armed forces.
Tribal Council member Steve
Bobb Sr., who is past chairman
of the Tribe’s Veterans Special
Event Board and a Marine Corps
veteran from the Vietnam War
era, gave the invocation and
served as master of ceremonies.
MEMORIAL DAY
continued on page 7
Tribal Council member Steve Bobb Sr. speaks during the 17th annual
Memorial Day ceremony held at the West Valley Veterans Memorial on
Monday, May 27. Fifteen names were added to the memorial this year.
Fish Ceremony connects Tribe, communities
By Danielle Frost
Smoke Signals staff writer
W
EST LINN — The Grand Ronde Tribe’s
annual Fish Ceremony means different
things to those who attend, but one
common theme is that of connection between
Tribal members, fish, the river and community.
On Saturday, May 18, the Tribe held the annu-
al event in a new location, Willamette Park along
the banks of the Willamette River in West Linn.
In previous years, it had been held at the historic
Photo by Timothy J. Gonzalez
McLean House nearby, but that location proved
to be problematic for the number of attendees to
find adequate parking.
Turnout was one of biggest of any of the Tribe’s
fish ceremonies, with approximately 75 people
in attendance.
“It’s a perfect day,” Tribal Council Vice Chair
Chris Mercier said. “This is the biggest turnout
FISH continued
on page 5
The remains of a salmon waits to be returned to the Willamette River at the end of the Fish
Ceremony held at Willamette Park in West Linn on Saturday, May 18. The Tribe celebrated
fishing off the platform at Willamette Falls and those who made it possible.