Yesteryears: Nov. 15, 2025

Yesteryears

2020 — Two Tribal government officials tested positive for COVID-19 on a day when the Oregon Health Authority reported a record number of new cases in the state. General Manager David Fullerton limited campus access to only essential staff members for a few days, asking other staff members to work from home or granting them administrative leave, while the facilities were deep cleaned.

2015 — Tribal Council approved a $13 million loan for an extensive remodel of Spirit Mountain Casino. Casino General Manager Stan Dillon said the loan would pay to renovate abut 82,000 square feet of the casino, which had just celebrated its 20^th year in business.

2010 — Oregon voters rejected a proposal for a private casino in east Multnomah County by nearly seven out of 10 voters in the November general election, keeping the state’s promise to Oregon Tribes intact.

2005 — Grand Ronde Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy and council member Jack Giffen Jr. testified before Congress, along with Indian gaming representatives from across the nation, to urge Congress to block other Tribes from setting up casinos outside their reservations.

2000 — Warm Springs Tribal member Alyssa Macy was named the third recipient of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Mark O. Hatfield Fellowship. Macy was scheduled to become the liaison for Native American issues for Rep. Darlene Hooley.

1995 — A 500,000-gallon water tank intended to provide water to Grand Ronde homes and businesses, and increase fire protection in the area, was nearly completed and expected to be on line in early 1996. It was a cooperative effort between the Tribe, the Grand Ronde Water Association, the Economic Development Association, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Spirit Mountain Development Corporation.

1990 — Tribal member Felicia Lewis,12, and her horse, Shadow, retained her championship in Western horsemanship at the Jackson County Fair in Medford.

1985 — The Tribe’s new Parent Committee officers were Chair Margo George, Vice Chair Mike Larsen, Secretary Sandra Roselle, Treasurer Lennis Mercier, Coordinator Jayne Mercier, L.E.A. Darlene Kepford, Teacher Representative Becky Fendall and Alternative Teacher Representative Sandra Petty.

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