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will see some of the improvements and some they won’t. The two most visible upgrades to the property are the new exterior paint and the refurbished parking lots. The improvements most people won’t necessarily see are the remodeled kitchen and the upgrades to the casino’s information technology system. “One of the projects is in the IT infrastructure,” said Dillon. “There are a lot of upgrades to be done behind the scenes and they need to be done to protect our systems.” “Those IT upgrades were …

the cluster meetings), they send an overview of projects well in advance of this meeting so Tribal staff aren't overwhelmed, they take good notes at the meetings and make sure they understand Tribal concerns, and most importantly, they follow up on these concerns to make sure they are addressed in the actual projects." And, in fact, there were many areas where Tribes in general and the Grand Ronde Tribe in particular had high praise for the government-to-government relationships. In the area …

to meet those needs. The plan has been in the works since April 2018 and included various Tribal committees and stakeholders to obtain input on the most critical transportation needs and priorities. Some of the biggest complaints Mercier has heard revolve around pedestrian safety and truck traffic on Grand Ronde Road. “There is a lot of talk about the unsafe conditions that Grand Ronde Road traffic creates,” he says. “A lot of drivers aren’t using it because they are stopping here. They’re using …

our first Indigenous Peoples Day last year, opened the Wacheno Welcome Center, have Indigenous classes and other educational opportunities like this one.” Kennedy is a descendant of Dan Wacheno, who the center is named after. The 21,000-square-foot building houses most of the college’s student services. Kennedy told the crowd that Wacheno signed the treaty that ceded a sizable swath of the northern Willamette Valley to the federal government and was later removed to the Grand Ronde Reservation …

gaming could benefit the Grand Ronde Tribe. Holmes was one of the most respected Tribal leaders in the Northwest when he passed away in May 2004 at the age of 70. “When he (Holmes) came back he said we have to get in on this while the door is open,” says Tribal Elder and former Tribal Council member Ed Larsen. “He said there is a window of opportunity and we have to take it.” “The Poarch Creek had a very good facility,” says Tribal member and then-Spirit Mountain Development Corp. General Manager …

within the general membership, a dissatisfaction with the present leadership and overall direction of the Tribe. The discontent is not unjustified, but I won't engage in the usual Council-bashing. Truthfully, I believe most of the Council are doing their darndest, but their toughest obstacle is distraction. They are so busy tripping over one another or engaging in petty battles that the big picture is often forgotten. Sadly, that big picture is us , the general membership. Over the next several years …

Culture At 102, Nora Kimsey left Tribal members a clear path to follow 09.29.2011 Dean Rhodes People , History Nora Kimsey was born on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 1908, in Grand Ronde and raised in the Grand Ronde area. She walked on Sept. 7, 2011, at her home in Grand Ronde. She was 102 and the Tribe's eldest and most beloved Elder. She married Loren Kimsey in 1929 and their children are Margaret Provost, Marvin Kimsey and Myrna Brandon, all Tribal Elders who still live in Grand Ronde. Nora's children …

. "It is important to continue this dialogue, to show that Tribal police are a true benefit for the Tribes, for the law enforcement community and for the state of Oregon," said Martin. Veterans affairs With Veterans Day in sight, a session on Veterans' Affairs brought good and bad news that most in attendance already knew. "County vet offices are for the good 'ole boys who also are given other posts to handle, and don't really care about the vets," said Larry Townsend (Lumbee/North Carolina), who is a Tribal …

registered to compete in the 28 categories ranging in age from 6 to more than 65. “The weather for this weekend is absolutely perfect,” Ainam said. “We have had a lot of new people register and also have lots of returning dancers. Generally, people love this and want to come back.” Key to having people return year after year is making them feel welcome, Ainam added. “The most important thing we can do is take care of people when they are here,” she said. “No matter what happens, we need …

be. Valerie Haskins Roll #4140 (Editor’s note: The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde has never disavowed the 1855 Treaty of the Willamette Valley, one of seven ratified treaties the Tribe signed ceding most of western Oregon to the federal government.) Dear Smoke Signals : A letter from Rex Haller ran in the May 1 issue, offering his perspective, mentioning me by name. Before addressing points in his letter, I offer the following overview of our Tribal enrollment requirements …