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” Rojas says. “We carry our drum with us, we keep it warm.” As a Tribal member and reporter for Smoke Signals, I have often seen powwow drums at Grand Ronde events wrapped in a blanket when not being used. I have also seen drummers set their hand drums on a chair in the sun while singing at the achaf-hammi plankhouse. I remember them informing me the drum needed to warm up. At the time I assumed this to mean the hide would sound better when it was warmed, now I understand it was a sign of respect …

,” Smith said. “For me it was good but it would bore somebody else.” Her granddaughter Lorena Rivera, who was raised on Smith’s stories, disagreed. After turning 100 years old Wednesday, March 19, Smith is now the eldest Tribal Elder, a descendent of Peter McCoy, Second Chief of the Umpqua Tribe, who signed a treaty with the Umpqua and Kalapuya in 1854, and with the Molalla in 1855. Smith was born in 1925 in Grand Ronde, to Lawrence Smith and Gertrude McCoy, but had only a few years with her mother …

of Grade Ronde has had a part in bringing Focus Circle to life and helping to heal the effects of multi-generational trauma. Thank you, one and all. Your work has been awesome. Call me; let me know how you are doing. Priscilla Marlowe Salem Dear Tribal members: Over the past year (nine months actually), I have had the good fortune to serve you as a Tribal Council member. If it has been anything, it has been a learning experience. I thank those of you who have had the patience to stand by a new …

everyone who has offered their time, trust and teachings to me.” He credits his family, the Mercier/Hudson family, going back to John B. Hudson and Hattie Hudson (Sands) on his grandfather’s (Vincent Mercier) mother’s side; and Francis and Marie Mercier (Petite) on Vincent Mercier’s father’s side. All have walked on, but their influence, and the influence of the others, down to his parents, Michael and Tammy Mercier, continues. In speaking at the recent Tribal History Conference held at Chachalu …

started using alcohol as a substitute, which contributed to a driving accident that landed him in the Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem. Before the start of serving his sentence, however, Freeman said that God changed his heart. “Before I went to prison, my life was really out of control,” he says, “but I can remember really being tired of that lifestyle and crying out to God and asking him to come into my heart and help me change. It wasn’t too long after that that I felt a desire to go …

be very interested. You can contact me via e-mail at Pam@lakeisabella.net . Thank you. Rex & Pam Emerson Roll #2538 Share On Facebook Share On Twitter Share Article Link Subscribe Subscribe to our Newspaper for latest updates: Subscribe To Our Newspaper For Latest Updates: …

to prepare me for the upcoming news.” She immediately thought of her son, Matteo, and wondered if he had gotten himself in trouble while spending the night with a friend. She had no idea what she was about to hear. “He told me that my son had been in a car accident and died,” remembers Palomar. “I remember pushing my hands out in front of me and I said, ‘God I can’t do this. You’re going to have to do this for me.’ Everything was spinning out of control. Matt was my last one home (last of her three …

memories - keep them close. Jamie, you're very special to me, remember that, and thank you for the work you did when I was too weak to do it myself. Thank you to my sister Gina for allowing me to drive her car to Grand Ronde to accept Christopher's award. I really missed driving so this was fun for me. Preceding Christy in death were her parents; beloved grandmother; father-in-law, Gerry Strafford; siblings, Margo, Mark and Michael; and many other relatives and friends. Survivors include her …

in the 1970s. Our Tribal leadership has provided unprecedented solutions in a world of disease, death and social discord. I hope that all of our Tribal families join me in thanking our leaders and staff in a job well done. Margo Mercier Roll No. 885 Share On Facebook Share On Twitter Share Article Link Subscribe Subscribe to our Newspaper for latest updates: Subscribe To Our Newspaper For Latest Updates: …

Culture Indigenous Place Keeping Artist Fellows selected 05.13.2025 Art Chantele Rilatos (Contributed photo) Douglas Burgess (Grand Ronde) and Chantele Rilatos (Siletz) have been selected as the two Indigenous Place Keeping Artist Fellows for 2025. “This fellowship not only provides the resources to begin this project, but also the recognition to help build momentum for long lasting cultural impact in my communities,” Burgess said. “Being the recipient of this fellowship reassured me I am …