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David Lewis writes
histories of Willamette
Valley Tribes
— pg. 10
september 15, 2023
Leno, Mercier re-elected; Haller tops
Langley by one vote for third seat
By Danielle Harrison
Smoke Signals editor
L
isa Leno and Chris Mercier
won decisive victories in the
Tribal Council election, but
only one vote separated incumbent
Michael Langley and challenger
Matthew Haller.
Following a recount on Saturday,
Sept. 9, Haller was declared the
winner with 585 votes to Langley’s
584.
Langley, 56, was vying for his
third consecutive three-year term
on Tribal Council. He had been
serving as Tribal Council secretary
since September 2021.
“Congratulations to all of the can-
didates, especially Chris, Lisa and
Matt,” he said. “For Veronica and
Chris, even choosing to run takes
courage and is worthy of kudos.
While it has been a demanding job,
it has been an honor to serve our
Tribe the last six years. I'm proud
of what we accomplished. I will
always wish for the best outcomes
for the decisions this Tribal Council
will be making. There is much too
important work ahead to ever make
it about anything other than good
performance.”
Chris Mercier
Lisa Leno
Haller, 34, the owner of Wildwood
Hotel in Willamina, was a first-time
challenger.
"Thank you for believing in and
supporting me during my cam-
Matthew Haller
paign," he said. "In the next three
years, I promise to give every single
See ELECTION
continued on page 7
Community Fund tops $95 million
Ophelia’s Place says grant awards are crucial to fulfilling its mission
By Danielle Harrison
Smoke Signals editor
S
Contributed photo by Thomas Sievers/City of Springfield
Grand Ronde Tribal Elder Marta Clifford received
the History Maker Award from Springfield Mayor
Sean VanGordon on Tuesday, Sept. 5, during the
City Council meeting.
History maker
Tribal Elder Marta Clifford honored
By Dean Rhodes
Publications coordinator
S
PRINGFIELD – Grand Ronde Tribal Elder
Marta Lu Clifford received the History
Maker Award as part of the second annual
Springfield Heritage Awards that were handed
out during the Tuesday, Sept. 5, City Council
meeting by Springfield Mayor Sean VanGordon.
The Heritage Awards were developed in 2022
by the Springfield Historic Commission and
the Springfield History Museum to recognize
an array of stewardship activities that increase
awareness, appreciation and support of an inclu-
sive perspective regarding local heritage.
There are two award categories – the Preser-
vation Excellence Award and the History Maker
See AWARD
continued on page 8
pirit Mountain
Community Fund
awarded almost
$1.5 million in grants
on Wednesday, Sept. 13,
during its second in-per-
son check presentation
in more than three years
held in the Governance
Center Atrium.
The Community Fund
receives 6 percent of pro-
ceeds from Spirit Moun-
tain Casino and awards
that money to nonprofits
in 11 northwest Oregon
counties to fund efforts
Photo by Michelle Alaimo
in the areas of arts and Ophelia’s Place Executive Director Laura Sanchez sorts beads that will
culture, environmental be used to make jewelry at the Eugene location on Friday, Sept. 8. The
preservation, education,
organization helps girls enhance their emotional health, manage life
health, historic preser-
vation and public safety, challenges and learn more about themselves. The nonprofit received
and to the nine federally a $50,000 grant from the Spirit Mountain Community Fund during its
recognized Tribes in Or- quarterly check presentation on Wednesday, Sept. 13.
egon under the fund’s
Cheryle A. Kennedy, Vice Chair Chris Mercier
Tribal Grants program.
and Tuomi, Cherry, Kathleen George, Jon A.
As of the third quarter of 2023, the Grand
George and newly elected Matthew Haller.
Ronde Tribe’s philanthropic giving now ex-
Eugene-based Ophelia’s Place is one of the
ceeds $95 million.
Community Fund’s beneficiaries, receiving a
The Community Fund was created as part
$50,000 grant on Wednesday for its partner-
of the Tribe’s gaming compact with the state
ships with Albany schools to promote positive
of Oregon. It is supervised by an eight-mem-
female youth development.
ber Board of Trustees that includes Tribal
Ophelia’s Place was founded as a nonprofit in
Council members Denise Harvey, Brenda
2005 by biologist and community advocate Ro-
Tuomi and Michael Cherry, who is also a
former Community Fund director.
Tribal Council members who attended the
See COMMUNITY FUND
check presentation included Chairwoman
continued on page 11