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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2025)
10 DECEMBER 1, 2025 SMOKE SIGNALS Restoration Celebration recalls Tribal members Ila Mercier, 11, left, and Emmalynn Warren, 11, dance in an owl dance during the Tribe’s 42nd Restoration Celebration Powwow at Spirit Mountain Casino’s Event Center Saturday, Nov. 22. very special, a gift from God for us to be able to gather togeth- Senior Miss Grand Ronde Marie Quenelle, 15, left, hands Nova King, 7, a bag of raffle er and also celebrate prizes as her grandfather, Tribal member Barry Larsen, looks on during the Tribe’s 42nd our Restoration.” Restoration Celebration at Spirit Mountain Casino’s Event Center Friday, Nov. 21. Tribal Council Sec- retary Jon A. George served as the numerous other resources, as well By Nicole Montesano event emcee. In addition to George as a casino that forms the bedrock Smoke Signals staff writer and Kennedy, Tribal Council Vice of the Tribe’s economic engine. On Friday, Nov. 21, Tribal mem- Chair Chris Mercier and council “This is the greatest thing that bers gathered again at Spirit Moun- members Kathleen George, Lisa the Tribe can celebrate, it really tain Casino’s Event Center to Leno and Matthew Haller were in is,” Tribal Council Chairwoman celebrate, drum, dance, eat and attendance. Cheryle A. Kennedy told the assem- honor the Tribe’s accomplishments Tribal Elder Ronnie Riggs John- bled members at Friday’s event, be- since it was restored in 1983. The son gave the invocation. fore embarking on a history lesson. celebration continued with the A lunch of salmon with cranber- “I want this to be a teaching mo- annual Restoration Celebration ries and walnuts, autumn greens, ment for your children, our young Powwow Saturday, Nov. 22. roasted acorn squash, sweet potato people who did not experience Forty-two years after Restoration, casserole, mashed potatoes, pot termination. … I always want our the Tribe rejoices in a sprawling roast, chicken and mushrooms, young people to know that what campus that includes a gover- berry cobbler and mini red velvet you have and see today is not a nance center, health and wellness cupcakes was served at 11:30. given. This is something unique, building, school, library, gym and Two-year-old Tribal member Kaiya Mercier rattles as the Grand Ronde Canoe Family sings at the beginning of the Tribe’s 42nd Restoration Celebration at Spirit Mountain Casino’s Event Center Friday, Nov. 21. There was also a gluten-free selec- tion offered. The Grand Ronde Canoe Family drummed and sang a meal song and enjoyed a jam session before the event started. Kennedy told the assembled Tribal members that she wants everyone to remember Termination and Restoration. “One challenge that I always put out at every Restoration is to know who your treaty signer ancestor is, and it can be multiple ones,” she said. “I know for myself, I have four treaty signer grandfathers. I just want to reflect back on the Con- federated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Prior to contact from other people, from other lands, our people lived in western Oregon from time immemo- rial. So, when you see anyone who is digging in the ground or are finding artifacts, those are ours. Those were what your people had made, had worked on, had used them as instru- ments for living. We were residents of this land. We occupied the land and we lived off the land. She continued, “The land was Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy s 42nd Restoration Celebration at Spirit Mountain Nov. 21. Behind her is Tribal Council Secretary Jo of the event.
