Letters to the Editor - April 1, 2012

Dear Tribal Council:

First let me thank you for all that you do. There are many of us who appreciate all the time and effort you put in to accomplishing the endless tasks assigned to you. If it weren't for the dedication of fine folks like you, our Tribe would not be in the fine shape it is today.

I follow the meetings and events of our Tribe through my home computer and Smoke Signals. Having streaming live videos is a wonderful way to "participate" in real time with the Tribal Council and Tribal members.

Back in the 1980s being on the Council was not nearly as involved and stressful as it is today. There certainly were not as many concerns as there are now. I so enjoyed my brief time in the mid-1980s working with Eula Petite, Mark Mercier, Kathryn Harrison, Candy Robertson, Merle and Russ Leno and Dorothy Green.

At that time we were working on acquiring reservation lands, fishing and hunting rights and getting our Tribal government in order. We did a lot of traveling and attended a lot of meetings, some friendly and some hostile. County commissioners and a lot of the West Valley citizens did not like the idea of our Tribe getting our reservation back.

A lot has happened since our humble beginnings and the meetings in the old Railroad Depot. At that time we envisioned timber land and gaming wasn't even an option until the fine folks in Oregon voted in gambling. Over the years our Tribal government has acted wisely and effectively in bringing the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde to the great level currently achieved. Thank you for what you have done.

I pray that with the guidance of you, the Tribal Council, and our Great Creator our Tribe will continue to grow and prosper. And let me add that as far as I'm concerned it is not about the money. Sometimes it sickens my heart to watch the meetings and see all the members who only come before you to complain about not getting enough money.

When our Tribe came back together we only hoped for a time when we might get enough revenue from our timber lands to help with medical and educational needs. We also envisioned Reservation housing and putting our homelands together again. As a Tribe we have achieved great things and I say again, with prudent and careful guidance from you, we will continue to grow and prosper.

Your friend and fellow Tribal member.

Bradley M. Kowing

Roll #1816

Dear Tribal members:

Tribal members are signing a petition to the Tribal Council concerning per capita. We would like per capita to be restored to at least 25 percent of total gaming revenue dividend as it was basically budgeted for from 1999 to 2010.

If you or your adult family members who are enrolled in our Tribe would like to sign this petition, I will send you a copy if you e-mail me at rmarybayci@aol.com.

If you don't have access to a computer to receive the petition by e-mail, you may simply take a sheet of paper and write the words of the petition at the top of your paper; sign it as indicated and send it to the address given at the bottom of the petition.

The petition wording is as follows:

"TO: CTGR Tribal Council

"REGARDING: Per capita - the only Tribal benefit that is distributed equally to every Tribal member regardless of location.

"We, the undersigned, members of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon, do hereby petition our Tribal Council to set the per capita percentage amount each year at a minimum of 25 percent of our total gaming revenue dividend. This practice had been in play since per capita began in December of 1999, and continued through December 2010, regardless of the gaming revenue dividend amount that was received by the Tribal government from Spirit Mountain Casino (SMGI).

"FULL LEGAL NAME (Print)

"FULL LEGAL SIGNATURE:

"TRIBAL ROLL #:

"DATE:"

Send to: Leroy R. Good, 2809 Mills Road, Prescott MI 48756 by Wednesday, April 11, 2012, or as soon as possible before the end of April.

Thank you for your help and consideration.

Rosemary Jameson

Roll #883

Dear Grand Ronde Tribal members:

I am writing in regards to the only Tribal benefit that is distributed equally to every Tribal member regardless of location - per capita.

According to the information that I have available to me, 2011 is the first year, since we first began receiving per capita back in 1999, that the Tribal Council actually budgeted less than 25 percent of the total gaming revenue dividend for per capita distribution. In fact, the percentage budgeted for 2011 was about 19.85 percent. Now in this year's budget, the Tribal Council is allocating even less of the gaming revenue dividend to be distributed to all Tribal members in the form of per capita. The percentage for 2012 is projected to be about 18.9 percent.

I, along with several other Tribal members, believe our Tribal Council can do better for our Tribal membership than what they have allocated for per capita for the year 2012, without asking us to give up some other benefit.

There is a petition being circulated by several Tribal members that requests our Tribal Council to set the per capita percentage amount each year at a minimum of 25 percent of our total gaming revenue dividend, regardless of the amount that is received by the Tribal government from Spirit Mountain Casino (SMGI).

If you or your family members, who are enrolled Tribal members, 18 years of age or older, would like to obtain a copy of the petition to sign, of if you want to learn more about it, you can e-mail either Rosemary Jameson at rmarybayci@aol.com or myself at dmgood@charter.net.

Thank you for your consideration and assistance.

Deborah Good

Roll #1227

Dear Smoke Signals:

The family of Rose Lee Teem is grateful to the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde for all the help following her death.

Having to deal with all the business after Rose died was made so much easier with the assistance of Penny DeLoe. Her calm, soothing manner eased the turmoil we were going through. Penny is a real asset to the Tribe.

Mom's memorial was the send-off that befitted this wonderful woman. Thanks to CTGR for providing funds to defray the cost.

I wish no Tribal member ever has to go through the loss of a loved one, but it is comforting to know that CTGR is here to help.

Gratefully, the children of Rose Lee Team

Derry Hall

Roll #2701

Gail Vladyka

Roll #2704

Kay Colman

Roll #2700

Darliss Sanderson

Roll #2702

Deanna Teem

Roll #2703