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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 15, 2022)
PRESORTED STANDARD MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID PORTLAND, OR PERMIT NO. 700 Linfield to exhibit artwork of late Tribal Elder Frank Kowing — pg. 8 february 15, 2022 Justice opinion scuttles gaming plans in Grants Pass By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor S ALEM – The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and the other Oregon Tribes that operate casinos received good news on Friday, Feb. 11, when the Or- egon Department of Justice said that plans by the Oregon Racing Commission to possibly allow 225 slot machine-like historic racing machines at the Flying Lark in Grants Pass would be unconstitu- tional. TMB Racing, a company formed by Dutch Bros Coffee co-founder Travis Boersma, filed a motion to compel in late December in Jose- phine County Circuit Court seeking to force the state to decide on plans for gambling at an entertainment complex adjoining the race track at the Josephine County Fairgrounds. TMB Racing claims the Oregon Racing Commission has put the horse-racing venture in finan- cial “limbo” by failing to vote on whether to approve 225 gambling terminals in the Flying Lark’s “hos- pitality center.” Boersma’s plans drew opposition from the state’s Native American Tribes, including the Grand Ronde Tribe, which argue that allowing slot machine-like historic horse racing machines at the Flying Lark would be unfair since only Tribes are allowed to operate casinos in Oregon. Their approval, Tribes contend, would hurt not only Tribal casino revenues, but the Oregon Lottery as well. After receiving a letter from Or- See MACHINES continued on page 3 Contributed photo Grand Ronde Tribal member and Cultural Advisor Bobby Mercier took approximately four months to complete his head chief carving, which is more than six feet tall. He used knives and chisels to form the old-growth wood, which is between 800 and 1,300 years old. Carving expert Tribal member is a top artist in international contest By Danielle Harrison Smoke Signals staff writer G rand Ronde Tribal member and Cultural Advisor Bobby Mercier is no stranger to creative undertakings. He has delved into different artistic mediums throughout the years, from Tribal-themed clothing and quilts to intricate metal sculptures and old-growth western red cedar carving. Recently, Mercier was honored as being one of the top 10 percent of artists in the Respect the Artists international online competition for his head chief carving. See CARVING continued on page 9 Great Circle Recovery serving more than 200 clients By Danielle Harrison Smoke Signals staff writer S ALEM — Grand Ronde’s newest addition to help Tribal members battle opioid use disorder seems to be a resounding success: Less than a year after it opened, more than 200 clients have accessed the services of Great Circle Recovery Center in Salem, an outpatient medication-assisted treatment clinic and the first Tribally operated facility of its kind in Oregon. Photo by Timothy J. Gonzalez During a Legislative Action Committee meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 1, Tribal Council member Kathleen George spoke about how Great Circle Recovery is meeting a crucial need in the area. “There are more than 200 regular, partici- pating clients on paths to recovery,” George said. “Recovery is a long and complex road, and it is absolutely amazing to know there See RECOVERY continued on page 5 The Tribe’s medication-assisted treatment clinic, Great Circle Recovery in Salem, is now serving more than 200 people battling opioid addiction.