General Council examines preliminary 2012 Tribal budget

Tribal members provided two comments on the preliminary 2012 Tribal budget during the Nov. 6 General Council meeting held in the Tribal Community Center in Grand Ronde.

During a 31-minute executive session, Tribal Finance Officer Julio Martinez went over the preliminary budget and then opened the floor for comments. Since the budget hearing was conducted in executive session, Smoke Signals cannot delve into the details of what was discussed or commented on.

Tribal members received the November Tilixam Wawa recently, which explains the Tribe's revenue and spending plan for 2012. Tribal members have until 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, to submit written comments.

Comments must be signed and either mailed or hand-delivered to Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon, 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347, Attn: Finance Officer.

Comments will be taken into consideration before Tribal Council adopts a 2012 budget on or before Dec. 31.

In other action, Tribal member and Cultural Resources Department Manager David Lewis discussed the Tribe's Ceded Lands Sign Project, which is installing information signs in various locations throughout western Oregon that explain the Tribe's history and connection to the area.

Lewis said two signs have already been installed, in Wilsonville's Graham Oaks Natural Area and at the Scio Historical Society, and the department is working on a third sign to be installed at the Delbert Hunter Arboretum in Dallas.

Eventually, Lewis said, about 20 signs will be erected in the Tribe's ceded lands, which stretch from the Washington border to the California border between the Cascade and Coast ranges, explaining the Tribe's history.

Tribal Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy, who attended the recent sign dedication in Scio, said the Tribe's concerted effort to inform people about its ceded lands is starting to pay dividends.

"The people in Scio were so receptive to the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde being a partner with them," Kennedy said.

Kennedy also briefly informed Tribal members about the recent National Congress of American Indians conference held in Portland between Oct. 30 and Nov. 4 and the Tribal Government Day held Sept. 23 with Portland city officials.

Kennedy said that Tribal Council members take their leadership roles "seriously" and that "many first beginnings are happening right now."

She added that although Tribal Council members might not be in their offices all the time, it doesn't mean they are not out working for the best interests of the Tribal membership.

Kennedy added that thanks to her membership on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Tribal Advisory Committee, more federal agencies will start compacting their funds, which will mean an increase in federal dollars reaching the Tribe.

Tribal Council members Kathleen Tom and Valerie Sheker also thanked Tribal staff for their help at the NCAI conference, particularly Tribal attorney Rob Greene and Tribal Public Affairs Director Siobhan Taylor.

Tribal members Samantha Dala and Bill Lafferty and Tribal spouse Bob Duncan won the $50 door prizes and Tribal descendant Wynter LaChance won the $100 door prize.

The next General Council meeting is scheduled to be held 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, at the Tribal Community Center in Grand Ronde.