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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2023)
6 JUNE 1, 2023 Smoke Signals Spring Celebration fetes relationship between state and Tribes By Danielle Harrison Smoke Signals assistant editor/staff writer SALEM 3 For the orst time since 2019, the Legislative Commission on Indian Services9 Spring Celebra- tion returned to the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, but with a new twist: It was held outdoors instead of the Capitol Rotunda due to on- going construction. <It's good to be here on this land,= Legislative Commission on Indian Services Vice Chair and Coquille Tribal Chair Brenda Meade said. <This is blessed land and we are blessed to live here in this place that we call Oregon. We have been working a lot this season. It is spring and a time for our Tribes to go out and prepare for the seasons. But it is also important to be here today.= Almost 49 years ago, the state of Oregon established the Legislative Commission on Indian Services. Next came an executive order creating a govern- ment-to-govern- ment relationship between the state and its nine fed- erally recognized Tribes. The rela- tionship is cele- brated with the Spring Celebra- tion, which is held biennially to co- incide with when the Legislature is in session. This year9s event was on Thursday, May 18. Meade said she was pleased to see so many Tribal leaders in at- tendance. <Many, many bills are running through that building, right behind me, that are going to impact the Tribes and our communities forev- er, and we shouldn't take it lightly. I do not believe the Oregon Tribes do. & The Legislative Commis- sion on Indian Services allows our Tribal leaders to come together to talk with our legislators and to talk about how it impacts our people and to think about how best we should make these decisions together.= Representatives from seven of the nine federally recognized Tribes attended. The Siletz and Klam- ath Tribes were unable to attend. Tribal information tables were on display as they usually are, only this time it was at Wilson Park, adjacent to the Capitol. Grand Ronde9s table was staffed Photos by Michelle Alaimo Tribal Council member Jon A. George speaks during the Legislative Commission on Indian Services9 2023 Spring Celebration held in Wilson Park on the Oregon State Capitol grounds in Salem on Thursday, May 18. Tribal Council members Brenda Tuomi, left, and Denise Harvey, middle, also spoke briefly. Tribal Council member Brenda Tuomi carries the Grand Ronde flag during the procession to start the Legislative Commission on Indian Services9 2023 Spring Celebration held in Wilson Park on the Oregon State Capitol grounds. SEE MORE OF THIS STORY @SmokeSignalsCTGR by Tribal Council Chief of Staff Stacia Hernandez. It included chocolates, lapel pins and folders of information on the Tribe. The celebration began with Tribal government leaders bringing in their respective Tribal nags. Also included were the American nag, Oregon nag and POW/MIA nag. Tribal Council member Brenda Tuomi carried in the Grand Ronde nag. Other Tribal Council members in attendance were Jon A. George and Denise Harvey. Warm Springs Tribal Council member Carlos Calica gave the invocation and sang a prayer song. Afterward, Tribal leaders were given the opportunity to speak to attendees. George, Harvey and Tuomi each said a few words and cultural education A re you missing out on what Cultural Education has to offer? Follow us on Facebook to get detailed class information, photos from events, and updates. Plus, check out the tribal calendar for a quick glance of upcoming events and classes. Open to Tribal and Community members. Join us! George drummed and sang. <It's an honor to stand up here today to address each and every one of you,= he said. <We thank you for this. We stand upon the lands of our people, the Santiam Kalapuya.= Added Harvey, <I want to wel- come you all here. It9s an honor to be here. Enjoy your day, get all the information you can.= Commission Director Patrick Flanagan also welcomed attendees to the Spring Celebration. <Thank you for being here,= he said. <These connections are how relationships are built.= Senate President Rob Wagner said he has an appreciation for LCIS and all the work it does to advocate on behalf of Oregon9s nine Tribes. <I want to give my deep appreci- ation and thanks to LCIS,= he said. <It9s a joy to be spending just a few minutes with you this morning. I know this celebration typically happens in the Capitol Rotunda. But spending this early summer morning on our beautiful grounds is a pretty darn good substitute. & <One of my biggest responsibili- ties here is to listen. People come into our ofoces and the Legislature every day to discuss topics of crit- ical importance to them and their communities. And it is our duty, all of us, to hear them and truly work to understand these diverse perspectives and this is particularly true when I get the opportunity, the blessing of meeting with Oregon9s nine federally recognized Tribes. Each is unique and special. The Tribes have knowledge and wisdom that we all in the Capitol space must listen to.= After the speakers onished, at- tendees perused the Tribal infor- mation tables, enjoyed fry bread from Portland9s Native American Rehabilitation Association, and got an up-close view of a canoe carved from a western red cedar, which was brought by the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw. Harvey said it felt great to be back at the event, especially with the outdoor component added. <I9ve been coming here for more than 20 years and it9s the orst time we9ve done it outside,= she said. <It9s nice to see all of the Tribes and ev- eryone enjoying themselves.= It is the orst Spring Celebration for Flanagan, who took over as di- rector in 2021. <It9s great to go to the committee meetings and attend the annual Tribal summit, but this is a nice opportunity for Tribes to get to- gether and chat with the commu- nity and legislators as they pass through. There9s good attendance and participation, and that9s one of the huge benefits to having it outside. Encouraging relationships and understanding is what this is all about.= Acting Secretary of State Cher- yl Myers closed the ceremony by reading a proclamation declaring May 18-25 as American Indian Week. þ