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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 2025)
2 OCTOBER 1, 2025 General Council meeting 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 5 Tribal Council Chambers Tribal members can participate remotely via Zoom and in-person attendance. Call 800-422-0232 for more information. SMOKE SIGNALS sNok signflz PUBLICATIONS OFFICE 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347 NOTICE — Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday meetings DATE TIME Wednesday, Oct. 8................................................................................4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22..............................................................................4 p.m. 1-800-422-0232 • FAX: 503-879-2173 Please note that these times and dates are subject to change if needed. Attendance in Tribal Council Chambers and via Zoom. 503-879-2304. Website: www.smokesignals.org Email: news@grandronde.org Email: Editorial.Board@grandronde.org Letter s www.facebook.com/SmokeSignalsCTGR/ www.youtube.com/c/SmokeSignalsChannel Dear Smoke Signals, I am taking this opportunity to express my appreciation and gratitude to the many Tribal members who either mailed in their ballots, hand delivered their ballot to the drop box or came to Grand Ronde and voted in person! By taking this step, you’ve shown that you’re wanting change and to move forward toward a brighter future for our people. If I could, I would thank the 153 people who voted for me, personally. I can’t express to you how humbling and encouraging it was for me to see my numbers go up from 99 last year to 153 this year. This process is challenging and difficult at times, but it afforded me many opportunities to connect with our people. My involvement with Tribal activities has increased and as time goes on, this will not diminish but rather, expand and continue onward and upward. Together, we can make a difference! I have the utmost respect for those who walk their talk and I strive to emulate this in my day-to-day life. We can’t make any changes at all un- less we are willing to suit up and show up, every day. I’m not just a Tribal Elder from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. I’m still here, every day and I still want to be of service to our people. Until next year folks, I hope you have a great one! See you soon. With utmost respect and continued gratitude, Pamala Warren-Chase Roll #1081 łaxayam Grand Ronde people, I will begin by thanking each of you, our Tribal members who took part in this year’s Tribal Council election. Your participation is a powerful ex- pression of our sovereignty and a reminder that the strength of our nation lies in the voices of our people. To those who placed your trust in me with your vote — hayu masi. I am truly humbled by your support and the trust you carried in my leadership. While this was not the outcome we hoped for, please know my commitment to our people, our sovereignty and our future remains. I will continue to serve in every way I can, guided always by the values and teachings of our ancestors. I also extend my congratulations to the newly elected council members. With this role comes a great responsibility: To put our people first in all decisions, uphold our sovereignty and ensure the wellbeing of both present and future generations. I encourage you to carry this responsibility with humility, strength and the knowledge that our people must always remain at the heart of your service. With gratitude and respect, Valeria Atanacio Roll #3527 Tribe offering support to incarcerated members Grand Ronde Tribal members who are incarcerated, have been recently released from prison or are involved in addiction treatment programs don’t have to face challenges alone. The Tribe has a post-prison/post-treatment peer support specialist, Tribal member Joe Ulestad, who is also a certified recovery mentor. “I want our members who are incarcerated or need help to know we haven’t forgotten about them and we’re here to help,” he said. “They can call me, email or text.” Ulestad can be reached at joe.ulestad@grandronde.org, by text/call at 971-237-5262 or on office line, 503-879-1389. n DANIELLE HARRISON MICHELLE ALAIMO PUBLICATIONS MANAGER / EDITOR 503-879-4663 danielle.harrison@grandronde.org PHOTOJOURNALIST / ASSISTANT EDITOR 503-879-1961 michelle.alaimo@grandronde.org JUSTIN PHILLIPS SAMUEL F. BRIGGS III PRODUCTION SPECIALIST 503-879-2190 justin.phillips@grandronde.org GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALIST 503-879-1416 samuel.briggs@grandronde.org KAMIAH KOCH NICOLE MONTESANO SOCIAL MEDIA / DIGITAL JOURNALIST 503-879-1461 kamiah.koch@grandronde.org STAFF WRITER 503-879-1463 nicole.montesano@grandronde.org KATHERINE WARREN SECRETARY / ADVERTISING 503-879-1466 • katherine.warren-steffensmier@grandronde.org DEADLINE DATE ISSUE DATE Tuesday, Oct. 7... ............................ Oct. 15 Indigenous Journalists Association Wednesday, Oct. 22......................... Nov. 1 Oregon Newspaper Publishers Assoc. Wednesday, Nov. 5 ....................... Nov. 15 2022 IJA General Excellence Tuesday, Nov. 18 .............................. Dec. 1 2023 IJA General Excellence EDITORIAL POLICY Smoke Signals, a publication of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon, is published twice a month. No portion of this publication may be reprinted without permission. Our editorial policy is intended to encourage input from Tribal members and readers about stories printed in the Tribal newspaper. However, all letters received must be signed by the author, an address must be given and a phone number or email address must be included for verification purposes. Full addresses and phone numbers will not be published unless requested. Letters must be 400 words or less. Smoke Signals reserves the right to edit letters and to refuse letters that are determined to contain libelous statements or personal attacks on individuals, staff, Tribal administration or Tribal Council. Not all letters are guaranteed publication upon submission. Letters to the editor are the opinions and views of the writer. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Smoke Signals. 2 02 5 Trib a l Co uncil tribalcouncil@grandronde.org Tribal Council Chairwoman Kathleen George — ext. 2305 — ext. 2352 kathleen.george@grandronde.org Cheryle A. Kennedy cheryle.kennedy@grandronde.org Chris Mercier Tribal Council Vice Chair — ext. 1444 chris.mercier@grandronde.org Jon A. George Tribal Council Secretary — ext. 2355 jon.george@grandronde.org Tribal Office Closures Tribal offices will be closed Monday, Oct. 13, in observance of In- digenous Peoples’ Day. MEMBERS OF: Pete Wakeland — ext. 2300 pete.wakeland@grandronde.org Matthew haller — ext. 1777 matthew.haller@grandronde.org Lisa Leno — ext. 1770 lisaleno@grandronde.org Tonya Gleason-Shepek — ext. 4555 Toby McClary — ext. 2353 tonya.gleason-shepek@grandronde.org tobymcclary@grandronde.org
