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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 15, 2019)
PRESORTED STANDARD MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID PORTLAND, OR PERMIT NO. 700 Community Fund nearing $82 million in giving — pg. 12 SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 General Council briefed on Spirit Mountain Casino By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor M ore than two years after the opening of the Cowlitz Tribe’s Ilani Casino in April 2017, Spirit Mountain Casino Gen- eral Manager Stan Dillon’s assess- ment to the Tribal membership remains consistent – Ilani, and the Oregon Lottery, are tough com- petitors but Spirit Mountain is no lightweight either. Dillon and Spirit Mountain Casino Executive Marketing Director Shaw- na Ridgebear gave the first presen- tation of the new General Council meeting cycle on Sunday, Sept. 8, in the Tribal Community Center. Dillon said that although Ilani is getting more aggressive in comping high-roller players, Spirit Mountain is doing well, especially in the first seven months of 2019. In 2018, the casino was 7.8 percent over budget and is matching budget projections so far this year. Dillon said the challenges con- tinuing to confront Spirit Mountain include a difficult hiring market in which the state unemployment rate is low and there are a reported 30,000 unfilled jobs in Oregon. In reaction, the casino is using gaming technology to make operations more efficient. “Everyone is wanting help some- where,” Dillon said. As far as gaming competition, Dillon pointed to the Oregon Lottery preparing to begin sports wagering See MEETING continued on page 11 Photo by Timothy J. Gonzalez Tribal Council member Denise Harvey receives congratulation from Spirit Mountain Casino General Manager Stan Dillon before the General Council meeting held in the Tribal Community Center on Sunday, Sept. 8. Harvey received the most votes in the election with 696. ‘Moving forward’ Incumbents re-elected to Tribal Council By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor I ncumbents reigned during the 2019 Tribal Council election. Tribal voters returned incum- bents Denise Harvey, Kathleen George and Jack Giffen Jr. to Tribal Council, according to official election results released on Satur- day, Sept. 7. Harvey received 696 votes and was elected to her third consecu- tive term. She received the most votes in 2013 and finished third in 2016. Harvey finished four votes shy of joining the “700 Club,” which includes Tribal Council Chairwom- See ELECTION continued on page 10 Tribe blesses Blue Heron site in Oregon City By Danielle Frost Smoke Signals staff writer O REGON CITY — With the backdrop of Willamette Falls shrouded in gray sky and the smell of sage hanging in the air, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde blessed its recently purchased land at the former Blue Heron Paper Mill site. By all accounts, it was an emotional day, marking the first time the Tribe has owned property at Willamette Falls since the area was ceded to the federal government in 1855. The blessing on Monday, Sept. 9, marked the close of one chapter and the beginning of the next. Approximately 60 Tribal members, Elders, staff, family and other government officials attended the event held at the long-shuttered mill’s waterfront. See BLESSING continued on page 9 Cultural Consultant and Tribal Elder Greg Archuleta welcomes Tribal members to the Blue Heron Paper Mill site in Oregon City before a Tribal blessing ceremony held on Monday, Sept. 9. The Tribe purchased the 23- acre site on Aug. 15 for $15.25 million. Photo by Timothy J. Gonzalez
