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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2019)
JUNE 1, 2019 smok signflz 11 House Bill 2625 signed LCIS continued from page 10 es and ideas ... we have to be good stewards of the land and be strong on issues that affect our people. We stand strong together as Tribal leaders.” Kennedy reviewed some of the commission’s work, such as work- ing to remove the derogatory word “squaw” from state landmarks, flying the Tribal flags outside the state Capitol and including Native American curriculum as a learning requirement in Oregon’s public schools. “This is due to the work these nine nations did,” Kennedy said. “We stand together to address health care needs so our people could better their lives and live with digni- ty. We move together on into the future. LCIS is a byproduct of what it took to unite us. … Today, we will watch our governor sign a proclamation for American Indian Week and to correct the injus- tice for those who are missing and murdered. … I raise my hands to all of these leaders.” After representatives from the nine Tribes and the Native American Re- habilitation Association spoke, the ceremony Tribal Council member Denise Harvey carries ended with the Grand in the Grand Ronde flag at the beginning of the Ronde singers and drum- 16th Legislative Commission on Indian Services mers performing. Brown Spring Celebration. closed the ceremony by signing a proclamation declaring mentary lunch of salmon, roast beef, May 18-25 as American Indian salad, rolls and cupcakes. Week. “I’d like to first recognize our House Bill 2625 veterans in attendance today,” she signing ceremony said. “Oregon’s Native American Later in the afternoon, a group community stepped up in much of legislators, advocates and Tribal higher numbers and we are eternal- leaders gathered in the governor’s ly grateful for your service.” signing room to witness House Bill Brown sat at a desk surrounded by 2625 become law. Tribal Council Tribal leaders and LCIS members, members Lisa Leno and Denise read the proclamation aloud and Harvey were in attendance. distributed commemorative pens to “This bill is a response to a need,” all nine Tribal representatives after Sanchez said. “I just happen to signing the proclamation. Following be the one who gets the privilege the ceremony, employees of Spirit of speaking today. I am here be- Mountain Casino served a compli- cause people recognized we didn’t Casino receives gold medal in Best of Mid-Valley Spirit Mountain Casino once again received the gold medal in the Best Casino category of the Salem Statesman Journal’s annual Best of the Mid-Valley competition. Spirit Mountain bested Chinook Winds Casino in Lincoln City, which received the silver medal, and Ilani in Ridgefield, Wash., which received the bronze medal. The special advertising section was published on Sunday, May 12. Elders Marketplaces scheduled The Elders Marketplace will be held at Spirit Mountain Casino, 26820 S.W. Salmon River Highway, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, May 31, through Sunday, June 2. Future marketplaces will be held July 12-14 and Aug. 16-18. For more information, contact Julie Little at 503-689-5005 or Penny DeLoe at 971-241-0864. department had no jurisdiction on Tribal land, but his conclusion was that could be overcome with a collaboration between local, county, Tribal and state police. “When I heard the Tribal mem- bers speak about the missing and murdered women … these are the people of Oregon,” he said. “This is honorable work. I give my assur- ance that I will treat these women as if they were my own daughters, and put my best foot forward.” Sanchez thanked Portland Tribal Liaison Laura John (Blackfeet/ Seneca) for her assistance, as well as Patsy Whitefelt, a Yakama Nation educator and activist for missing and murdered indigenous Photos by Timothy J. Gonzalez women and girls who pushed for a Senate President Peter Courtney, similar bill in Washington state. It D-District 11, speaks during the was signed into law in April 2019. Whitefoot’s sister disappeared in Legislative Commission on Indian 1987 when she was 29 and was Services Spring Celebration held at never found. the Capitol in Salem on Thursday, Brown thanked everyone who May 16. helped make the bill a reality. “It is rare to see bills on my desk with so many legislators’ names on it,” she said. “Thanks to all of you who worked on this.” After the bill signing, Leno said it was “a great day.” “This is an op- portunity for the State Police to re- ally start looking at this issue and the injustice that has been happen- ing,” she said. “It’s a chance to right that wrong. We’ll be committed to continue to work on this and be ac- tive partners in the work that is Gov. Kate Brown signs HB 2625 into law during a to come. I am so ceremony held at the Capitol in Salem on Thursday, excited.” May 16. The bill directs the Oregon State Police to Other states study how to increase criminal justice resources that have passed relating to missing Native American women in Oregon. similar legislation Tribal Council member Lisa Leno, center rear, joins include Montana, other Tribal leaders to watch the signing. Arizona and New Mexico. A bill in have the voices we needed in this the U.S. House of Representatives building. Being able to bring this would expand Tribes’ access to fed- bill forward was a privilege. Many eral crime databases, require annu- families have struggled with this al reports and establish standards issue of having no answers (when for handling cases of missing and loved ones go missing). It’s a huge murdered Native American women. issue all over the country at this The federal bill is named Savan- point and time.” na’s Act, after Savanna LaFon- Oregon State Police Superinten- taine-Greywind, a pregnant woman dent Travis Hampton said that who was killed by a neighbor in 2017 when he first met with Sanchez, in North Dakota. Her baby was cut his initial thoughts were that his from her womb but survived. WIC visits Community Center monthly Pregnant? Breastfeeding? Does your family include a child under the age of 5? If so, you may qualify for the Women, Infants and Children program. With WIC, people can receive answers to nutritional questions and access fruits and vegetables, whole grains, eggs, milk, cheese, juice, cereal and more. A WIC representative visits the Tribal Community Center on the third Tuesday of the month, which will be June 18. Walk-ins are welcome between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 503-879- 2034.
