Letters to the Editor -- Nov. 15, 2012

Dear Smoke Signals:

My name is Kevin Contreras and my enrollment number is 3432. I am 53 years old and I just received my GED through Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton, Ore.

It took two years, but with a lot of hard work I accomplished it. I'm very proud of myself. All the doors that were closed to me because I didn't have my GED have now opened.

In 2016, I will take full advantage of my GED and enroll in college. I would like to study the indigenous and Native people of Oregon and Washington.

So, all the people who don't have their GED should most definitely get it because it is a great accomplishment and it will make you feel good about yourself.

Kevin R. Contreras

Roll #3432

Dear Smoke Signals:

I would like to express my heartfelt thank you to our Tribe for allowing Lighthouse Recovery Church use of the abandoned schoolhouse for the last nine years.

We have been able to fill a void in our Indian community with our outreach to the many individuals and families that are impacted by chemical dependency. Our Indian community is like so many others, suffering with a high rate of alcohol and drug addictions. The disease of addiction is a community disease and community support is a vital part of the recovery process.

The Tribe offers many services through our Behavioral Health Department. Unfortunately, the needs of families in recovery go beyond what can be provided by those programs. I humbly ask for your support and prayers.

My wish is that those who support Lighthouse Recovery Church, as well as those of you who will argue "The Tribe should not support a church," will pray that your higher power, God, the Great Creator, will open doors to a new beginning so that those in the Grand Ronde community who suffer with the pain of addiction can continue to know the joy of recovery through spiritual community fellowship and the AA/NA meetings offered at Lighthouse Recovery Church.  

In the spirit of our grandmothers,

Laura Gleason

Roll #102