Letters to the Editor -- June 15, 2012

Dear Smoke Signals:

The Simmons family would like to send a letter of thanks to the Muckleshoot and Grand Ronde communities for our recent gathering for the Simmons Family Memorial and headstone blessings for Jimi Dexter Simmons, John Henry Simmons, Michael Simmons, Rosemary Dilling-Simmons, Marcus Simmons and LaSage Simmons in Grand Ronde, as well as the blessing for our mother-grandmother Marie Daniels, who rests there as well.

We are thankful and grateful for the cooks, the Muckleshoot Canoe Family, the Grand Ronde Canoe Family and Shakers whom traveled all the day down to help with this wonderful healing ceremony.

Also, we would like to thank Grand Ronde for the use of their longhouse, Achaf-hammi, their spiritual leaders, their Elders, our cousins for sharing their stories and all their help that made this occasion that will be remembered for years to come.

We would like to thank the Muckleshoot Tribal Council, the Grand Ronde Tribal Council and the Muckleshoot Ceremonial/Wildlife Committee for providing the elk and salmon that nourished our bodies.

There were a lot of good stories brought forward and shared with all.

It is a testimonial to the wonderful changes going on in the Muckleshoot and Grand Ronde communities.

The Simmons Family