Yesteryears -- Dec. 15, 2018

2014 – General Council was briefed on the state of Tribal housing. Current housing included 61 Elder apartments, 108 family apartments and a 20-unit low income apartment complex set to open in March. Administrative Program Manager Joani Dugger reviewed the assistance programs administered by the Housing Authority, which included down payment assistance, medical adaptation grants, home repairs, Indian Health Service Water and Sanitation funding, rental assistance and student rental assistance.

2009 – Spirit Mountain Community Fund topped the $49 million mark in giving. The fund awarded $3.676 million in 2009 in its 11-county service area, with 120 large grants and 37 small grants. “This past year, SMCF experienced a significant increase in the number of grant applicants, which, in part, was reflective of the downturn in our economy,” Community Fund Director Shelley Hanson said.

2004 – A lucky visitor to Spirit Mountain Casino struck it rich, walking away with $1.9 million on the Wheel of Fortune machine. The jackpot was the largest in the history of Spirit Mountain Casino and the fourth largest payout in the state of Oregon. The winner, Lorene Alexan Anelon, lived in Alaska. She stopped in at the casino while visiting family. “I’ve never played Wheel of Fortune, but my family loves the game,” she said. “I put in $100 and had $66 left when I hit (the jackpot).”

1999 – Deputy Director of Operations Chris Leno said that in the future he would like to see Tribal members given easier access to information about the various Tribal programs. Leno envisioned that access being available online. Leno used the Member Services program as an example of how technology could improve access. “They could go to a website and download the needed information right there or send information electronically,” he said. “I think we could reduce our administrative cost and allow people to focus on other things.”

1994 – Smoke Signals featured Tribal Elder Nora Kimsey, then 86, referring to her as one of the most active Elders in the Tribe. “Nora can be seen at almost every Tribal function, meeting and event,” the article stated. Kimsey participated in Elders activities, arts and crafts, and at the time was one of the few Tribal members who could speak Chinuk Wawa. She and fellow Elder Ila Dowd traveled to Eugene, where they attended the Windows of the Past exhibit and told stories in their Native language.

1989 – No December edition available.

1984 – A health survey was being implemented by outreach workers Kathy Olson, Georgene Gillespie, AnnaBelle Hamm and Diana Harrison. The survey was being implemented to determine the needs of the Grand Ronde Tribe and what health services would be offered. All members were encouraged to participate.

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