Yesteryears - June 1, 2026

Yesteryears

2021 — The Tribe continued requiring all employees wear masks as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, following an announcement by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which stated that vaccinated Americans no longer needed to wear masks in most situations. Additionally, mask mandates were reinstated for all guests at Spirit Mountain Casino. “Throughout this pandemic, CTGR has erred on the side of keeping people safe,” General Manager David Fullerton said in an email to all employees. “Moving forward, we will continue with those same precautions.”

2016 — Spirit Mountain Casino began a yearlong remodeling project aimed to give the casino an entirely new look and feel by adding new finishes and carpet, visually pleasing lighting displays, ceiling fixtures, state-of-the-art machines, a convenient new entrance and a new casino bar.

2011 — The Tribe agreed to buy the vacated middle school facility on the east side of Grand Ronde Road from the Willamina School District. The property was part of the Tribe’s original reservation, given to it in President Franklin Pierce’s 1857 Presidential Order, for $675,000, and many events were held in the middle school’s gym following 1983’s Restoration.

2006 — As part of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of state and Tribal government-to-government relations between Oregon and its nine federally recognized Tribes and the state, Tribal Council Chairwomen Cheryle A. Kennedy gave a speech in Salem in which she stated the government-to-government process “is working,” but that “many difficulties and obstacles” were ahead. “Through all the struggles and hardships, you still find respect and still honor one another. To learn from one another, I believe, that is the teaching of our Elders.”

2001 — Ground was dedicated in a ceremony for a new planned education complex in Grand Ronde. The complex included a preschool, a secondary education building and an adult education building, as well as an auditorium and gymnasium. Tribal youth Cristina Lara spoke to those in attendance. “We should take pride in our education. Now, we are entering a new level of education.”

1996 — Phase II expansion at Spirit Mountain Casino was underway, with the casino adding 36,500 square feet of new gaming, dining and family entertainment space, including Legends Steakhouse. The expansion also called for approximately 3,000 square feet of banquet and meeting room space, accommodating from 150 to 400 people depending upon the configuration.

1991 — Community development efforts were in full swing with the pending construction of the Tribal Community Center in the summer, and with planning underway for the future Grand Ronde Health & Wellness Center. Some challenges the Tribe faced during development efforts included the expansion of existing utilities to accommodate for future growth.

1986 — The Tribe finished negotiations with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for an agreement that would allow the Tribe to issue elk, deer and bear tags to Tribal members who wished to hunt or fish in designated areas during the state declared seasons.

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