Smoke signals., June 15, 2019, Page 9, Image 9

smok signflz
JUNE 15, 2019
9
‘That’s our life in Oregon’
ROSE FESTIVAL
continued from page 8
Casino would continue its spon-
sorship of the event for another
three years, which makes it the
longest-running title sponsor in the
history of the Grand Floral Parade.
“I have always looked at our spon-
sorship as more of a partnership,”
Huffman said. “These are people I
consider to be my friends.”
She was also excited that the
Tribe’s float won the Governor’s
Award.
“That’s our life in Oregon,” Huff-
man said. “I don’t think there was
a better award to win.”
Before the parade began, Grand
Ronde Royalty and Veterans Roy-
alty members received a behind-the
scenes sneak peek at the various
floats in the staging area behind the
coliseum, and had the opportunity
to see Rose Festival Court members
who visited Chachalu Museum &
Cultural Center and achaf-hammi,
the Tribal plankhouse, on May 9.
Royalty also participated in the
Starlight Parade held at 9 p.m.
Saturday, June 1, in downtown
Portland.
Grand Ronde Royalty members
Junior Miss Grand Ronde Kaleigha
Simi, Little Miss Grand Ronde
Sophia Grout, Senior Miss Grand
Ronde Isabelle Grout, Veterans
Senior Queen Mabel Brisbois, Veter-
ans Junior Queen Tasina Bluehorse
and Veterans Junior Warrior Naco-
ma Liebelt accompanied the casino
float when it entered Memorial Col-
iseum and began the parade route.
“My favorite part of this is seeing
which princess gets crowned for the
Rose Festival,” Brisbois said.
“I like seeing all of the cool floats,”
Liebelt said.
Isabelle Grout, 15, has been par-
ticipating in the festival for “as long
as I can remember.”
“It’s always fun getting to see all
of the princesses,” she said.
After the final floats rolled
through the coliseum and chalet
area, the crowd began to disperse,
some to continue on to the City-
Fair carnival, where they could
festival on and view the floats and
mini-floats on display along Naito
Parkway. 
Photos by Timothy J. Gonzalez
The Spirit Mountain Casino float “Keeping Culture Alive at Willamette Falls” passes through Memorial Coliseum
during the Spirit Mountain Casino Grand Floral Parade held in Portland on Saturday, June 8. The casino’s float won
the Governor’s Award for the best depiction of life in Oregon.
Spectators watch as the Spirit Mountain Casino float “Keeping
Culture Alive at Willamette Falls” makes its way along the route
during the Spirit Mountain Casino Grand Floral Parade held in
Portland on Saturday, June 8.
The Spirit
Mountain
Casino float
“Keeping
Culture Alive
at Willamette
Falls” makes
its way along
the route
during the
Spirit Mountain
Casino Grand
Floral Parade
held in Portland
on Saturday,
June 8.
From left, Grand Ronde Royalty members Junior Miss Grand Ronde Kaleigha Simi,
Little Miss Grand Ronde Sophia Grout, Senior Miss Grand Ronde Isabelle Grout and
Senior Veterans Queen Mabel Brisbois wait to escort the Spirit Mountain Casino float
“Keeping Culture Alive at Willamette Falls.”