6
DECEMBER 1, 2020
Smoke Signals
When Tribe terminated in 1954, only 900 on Termination Roll
RESTORATION continued
from front page
nedy urged remote attendees to
celebrate the day with immediate
family members and share a meal
together, provided it was done
safely.
“The accomplishments that were
done, what it means, today, what
it means for our children, we cel-
ebrate,” she said. “For the many
Tribes that formed Grand Ronde,
we all rejoice together.”
Kennedy recalled that after the
Tribe was terminated in 1954,
there were only 900 members on
the Termination Roll. She was one
of them.
“Many of us, those Elders among
us today, we need to appreciate and
help them,” she said. “You have to
think of the feat that was accom-
plished. The United States, the
most powerful nation in the world,
admitted they were wrong and they
restored us to Tribal Nation status.
So today, let’s celebrate, and be
the thankful and grateful people
we are, and remember our future
is bright.”
The video continued with views
from inside Chachalu Museum &
Cultural Center, and then featured
Jon A. George near Uyxat Powwow
Grounds.
“(At one time) this was not a good
location,” he said. “We were forced
marched here. It was a prison. The
government tried to tell us we were
no longer recognized as Native
Americans. We started out with
those three visionaries (Provost,
Holmes and Kimsey) and in 1983,
it happened. We became a Native
nation once again.”
In closing, Kennedy called on
Tribal members to stay strong and
persevere.
“Today, we know that we can all
Smoke Signals screenshots by Timothy J. Gonzalez
From left, Tribal Council Vice Chair Chris Mercier and Tribal Secretary
Jon A. George preside over the raffle during the virtual 37th Restoration
celebration on Sunday, Nov. 22.
rejoice together,” she said. “Let’s
continue to be a helpful people as
we look to the future.”
On the Confederated Tribes of
Grand Ronde Facebook page, Tribal
Council Vice Chair Chris Mercier
and Jon A. George conducted a
raffle for Amazon and Visa gift
cards. Winners will have their
prizes mailed out. Additionally,
Tribal Communications Director
Sara Thompson has said that small
gifts were being sent out to Tribal
members.
“On Nov. 22, 1983, Grand Ronde’s
federal recognition as a Tribal gov-
ernment was restored when the
Grand Ronde Restoration Act was
signed into law,” a statement on the
Tribe’s website said. “Every year
since then, we have gathered as a
Tribe, a community and a family
to celebrate our Restoration. Even
with our 37th celebration moving
online, we want to get small gifts
to our Tribal members.”
Those who have not yet registered
for a gift can do so by visiting www.
grandronde.org, click on the “Cel-
ebrating 37 Years of Restoration”
link and below there is an online
form to fill out. Additionally, the
video presentation and the raffle
event can be viewed on the site.
Kennedy has said moving the
Restoration Celebration online
allowed the Tribe to honor the day
while keeping Tribal and commu-
nity members safe.
“We’re saddened that we won’t
be able to gather in person for this
year’s Restoration Celebration,”
she said. “But even in this time of
uncertainty, we still want to recog-
nize this important day and honor
those that made Restoration a
reality for the Grand Ronde Tribe.”
It was the first time since 1984
that the Tribe did not host an
in-person event. The decision was
initially announced in a Facebook
post on Friday, Oct. 23.
“Grand Ronde’s federal recogni-
tion as a Tribal government was
restored when the Grand Ronde
Restoration Act was signed into
law. Every year since then, we have
gathered as a Tribe, a community
and a family to celebrate our Res-
toration. Unfortunately, 2020 has
left us in unprecedented times and
we can’t gather in person this year.
Restoration will still be celebrated,
but the celebration will look a little
different because we’re moving it
online.”
On Nov. 22, 1983, President
Ronald Reagan signed House Res-
olution 3885 restoring the Grand
Ronde Tribe, which had been ter-
minated 29 years earlier, to federal
recognition. His signature on the
bill officially ended the dark time
of Termination.
Every year since, the Tribe has
held a celebration. It includes a
meal, giveaways, speeches, danc-
ing, drumming, singing and a Res-
toration Powwow. Approximately
200 Tribal members, family, friends
and elected officials traveled to
Grand Ronde last year for the event
held in the Tribal gym.
In an e-mail to all Tribal employ-
ees on Friday, Nov. 20, Kennedy
said that Restoration is a bright
spot in an otherwise bleak year.
“This Sunday marks the 37th
Restoration of the Confederated
Tribes of Grand Ronde,” she said. “I
am grateful that this date is a time
marked in history because we all
have endured dreadful situations
this year: The epidemic, wildfires
and personal difficulties brought
on by COVID-19. (We now) have
this bright spot to celebrate while
keeping safe. This journey has
pronounced how loyal, committed
and caring staff of the CTGR are. I
appreciate what you do and the sac-
rifice you are making. My prayers
for your safety and good health are
spoken daily.” 
Please join us for:
Chinuk Wawa Paint Night
Dec. 17, 2020
6:30 pm
Via Zoom
Join us for an evening of chinuk wawa and holiday painting! We will be sipping hot
chocolate and painting a fun, simple holiday picture on 8X8 canvas while learning some
chinuk wawa!
Only 10 spots are available, so send in your RSVP now to
zoey.holsclaw@grandronde.org or call 503-879-1443!
All necessary supplies will be provided and mailed out the week before.