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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2023)
sNok signflz JUNE 1, 2023 9 Harrison9s public memorial slated for Sunday, June 4 HARRISON continued from page 8 to a wheelchair, Harrison remained a revered oxture at Tribal events, attending Spirit Mountain Commu- nity Fund check presentations, an occasional Tribal Council or General Council meeting and many cultur- al events. Her most recent public appearances were attending Bruce Thomas9 retirement party held at Spirit Mountain Casino on May 4 and the Wellness Canoe Naming Ceremony held Saturday, May 20, at the achaf-hammi plankhouse. She resided at the Adult Foster Care lodges in Grand Ronde. Harrison had 10 children: Frank Harrison, Tom Harrison, Ray Harrison, Roger Harrison, David Harrison, Patsy Pullin, Jeanette Harrison, Kathy Coley, Diane Harrison and Karen Askins. She is survived by numerous relatives. At the time of her passing, Harrison was the oldest Tribal mem- ber at the age of 99. That distinction now passes to Lorene Belle Smith, who is 98. Funeral services were arranged by West Valley Funer- al Home in Sheridan and a public memorial service will be held 10 a.m. Sunday, June 4, at Spirit Mountain Casino. The Tribal govern- ment shut down for the day on Monday, May 22, after the news was announced. <The Tribe lost one of its great leaders over the weekend with the passing of former Tribal Chairwoman Kathryn Harrison,= Interim General Man- ager Chris Leno said in an all-employee e-mail, adding that Tribal govern- mental ofoces would close to honor her life and memory. <Words cannot express the mag- nitude of sadness and loss that we9re expressing with the passing of our beloved Tribal Elder Kathryn Harrison,= the Tribe posted on its governmental Facebook page. <She dedicated her life to the service of Smoke Signals file photos Kathryn Harrison became the first Native American recipient in 2012 of the Oregon History Maker award given out by the Oregon Historical Society. Kathryn Harrison was honored on her 95th birthday by Tribal Council Secretary Jon A. George, Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy and Tribal Council Vice Chair Chris Mercier in 2019 during a Tribal Council meeting. she started into the future.= On Tuesday, May 23, Con- gressman Earl Blumenauer released a statement regard- ing Harrison9s passing. <It was an honor to have worked with, and learned from Kathryn Harrison,= Blu- menauer said. <She was a source of wisdom and dignity whenever she attended one of our Tribal roundtables. She impart- ed a special value, her dignity, in- sight and great respect. Her words carried special signiocance because of her history, leadership and accomplishments. I count myself lucky that our paths crossed many times. She was a powerful symbol of determination 3 helping secure justice for her people and providing inspiration for Native Americans across the country.= Former Oregon U.S. Rep. Les AuCoin, who introduced the Grand Ronde Restoration Act in the House of Representatives in 1983, said he and his wife, Sue, were saddened to hear the news of Harrison9s passing. <Her groundbreaking life has inspired legions of open-hearted people throughout Oregon and the country,= AuCoin said in an e-mail. <I have lost one of my most faithful friends. Kathryn and I journeyed many miles together to make the world a kinder and fairer place for all, not just for some. Her joy lit up the lives of all who knew her. Born into humble beginnings, she inspired countless souls with her unforgettable ex- ample of compassion, benevolence and goodwill. <I met Kathryn long before the Grand Ronde people were restored as a federally recognized Tribe, before the creation of the Tribal Reservation and gaming compact. When she told me about the Trail of Tears the Grand Ronde people endured during their forced relo- cation and subsequent betrayal by the U.S. government, her eyes told me her ancestors were speaking to me. Now Kathryn is reunited with her forebears. To have walked at her side is an honor I cherish.= þ TO SEE MORE PHOTOS @SmokeSignalsCTGR others and contributed a great deal to Indian County and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. May we honor her, and her legacy, as we carry what Kathryn Harrison attended the 25th Anniversary Celebration for the Spirit Mountain Community Fund on July 30, 2022. Kathryn Harrison was interviewed in June 2010 on the 10th anniversary of the agreement with the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Kathryn Harrison spoke to students at Kathryn Jones Harrison Elementary School in Corvallis in May 2022. One of Harrison9s most recent honors for her lifetime of work in Indian Country and in Oregon was having the Corvallis School District rename one of its schools in her honor.