Letters to the Editor - April 15, 2012

Dear Tribal members:

Thank you to Rosemary Jameson and others who are involved for getting together this petition to restore per capita back to 25 percent. Tribal Council budgeting in less than 20 percent is an outrage. I feel they could benefit us even a little more than that, perhaps 30 percent to 40 percent. I think we've lost track here regarding what this whole thing is all about: The members.

It's bad enough that my own two children aren't allowed to become members. I had high hopes that this latest enrollment amendment would go through. The problem is that most of our members are totally inactive when it comes to keeping up with the Tribe and the issues.

Did anyone notice the small amount of ballots returned on that enrollment amendment? Pathetic, when you look at the number of us. So, kudos again to members like Rosemary who take action.

I've read previous letters insinuating that those of us who want more are greedy. It has nothing to do with greed. It's about holding Tribal government and business accountable to what our purpose is here. Once again: The members.

Every spare dollar needs to go to the membership. When I look at the millions of dollars that are given away of ours, while many members suffer, my heart sinks. I'm all about giving and sharing; that's what our people do. However, within reason. We can't starve ourselves in the process. Let's bring this "tradition of giving" to the members instead of to all these outside entities. There has to be a better way here.

Furthermore, let's rein in the ridiculous budget our own government has at its disposal. I'll bet you that most of the traveling (and all the expense that goes along with it) done by our council members is really not needed. In hard times, certainly not! I'd like a big microscope over that as well. 

It's up to us! We are in control.

Many thanks,

Adam Jeffers

Roll #3779

Dear Smoke Signals:

My goal is to collect 1 million tabs of soda cans to help a friend on dialysis. If you can help, please let me know via Facebook (Veronica E. Gaston) or e-mail me at ladygodiva03111969@yahoo.com.

I want to see how many I can collect by Dec. 31, 2012.

Veronica Gaston

Roll #2332

Dear Tribal members:

This is a follow-up to two letters presented in the April 1, 2012, issue of Smoke Signals. One letter was written by Rosemary Jameson and the other letter was written by Deborah Good. Both letters refer to what I term a "Per Capita Payment" Petition that bears my name and address and is being signed and circulated by several Tribal members.

The petition basically requests our Tribal Council 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). That is how it was basically budgeted for from December of 1999 to the approval of the 2010 Adopted Budget. So in reality the Tribal members who are signing and circulating the "Per Capita Payment" Petition are not asking for anything new. Instead, they just want the per capita distribution each year to be restored to at least 25 percent of the total gaming revenue dividend as it was basically budgeted for from 1999 to 2010.

It is a well-known fact that per capita is the only Tribal benefit that all enrolled Grand Ronde Tribal members share in equally no matter who they are or where they live. In fact, the only benefit some Tribal members receive is per capita because they do not participate in the Tribe's Health plan, education program, social services program, housing program, Elder's pension, disability program, etc. That is one of the reasons why I am willing to work on this "Per Capita Payment" Petition drive.

If you or your adult family members who are enrolled in our Tribe would like to sign this petition, a copy of the "Per Capita Payment" Petition can be e-mailed to you upon request by either myself (cen15752@centurytel.net), or by Rosemary Jameson (rmarybayci@aol.com), or by Deborah Good (dmgood@charter.net).

If you do not have access to a computer you can write me and a "Per Capita Payment" Petition can be mailed to you.

If you would prefer to take a shortcut, you may simply take a sheet of paper and write the words of the "Per Capita Payment" Petition at the top of your paper, sign it as indicated and send it to me right away at the address given at the bottom of the "Per Capita Payment" Petition wording shown in the P.S. section below.

In closing, I want to tell you that I am very thankful each and every day that I can proudly say, "I am a Grand Ronde Tribal member" and "I appreciate everything that the Grand Ronde Tribe has done for me and all of the Grand Ronde Tribal membership since Restoration on November 22, 1983."

Thank you for your consideration.

Leroy Good

Roll #892

P. S. The "Per Capita Payment" 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 the 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 place 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