Yesteryears -- Dec. 15, 2013

2008 - The first side beam of the under-construction Grand Ronde plankhouse at Uyxat Powwow Grounds was put in place and received a blessing performed by the Grand Ronde Drum Group, which was led by Tribal member and Cultural Resources Protection Coordinator Eirik Thorsgard.
2003 - The Board of Directors of Celebrating Traditions & Medicine Winds News in Oakridge, Ore., presented Tribal Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy with its third annual Woman of the Year Award for 2003-04. The award is presented to Indian women who, among other things, "contribute to the well-being of her people first, but also promote the well-being of the community in which she lives."
1998 - The Tribe announced that it has joined with developer Wayne Rembold and investor Franklin Pacentini to build the 480-unit Russellville Commons, a $44 million transit-friendly housing, retail and office project. It is the first business foray by the Tribe into the Portland area.
1993 - Among the new faces at the Tribe was Sanda L. Henny, who was hired as executive assistant at Spirit Mountain Development Corp. "The best part of my job is being able to come home again," she said.
1988 - In the monthly Education Report, it was reported that the Tribe was assisting 19 Tribal members with higher education grants and eight students with adult vocational training. Among those students was Tracy Olson, who was studying journalism at the University of Oregon and would eventually become the editor of Smoke Signals.

Yesteryears is a look back at Tribal history in five-year increments through the pages of Smoke Signals.