Yesteryears -- Jan. 15, 2013

2008 - Tribal Elder Don Day was busy in the Forest Service's Sweet Home Ranger District, collecting timber for the planned longhouse in Grand Ronde. A helicopter transported about 50 eight- to 20-foot lengths of old growth cedar logs out of a hole behind a tributary of the Soda Fork River and deposited them on a landing off Soda Fork Road. The logs were then trucked to Grand Ronde for splitting using traditional tools and methods.

2003 - A new 36-unit family housing community was under construction in Grand Ronde. Meant for moderate-income families, the development includes mostly duplexes, grouped around a covered central meeting place with a fire pit and toddler playground. "There's always been a great need for family housing in Indian Country," said Linda Layden, the Tribe's Housing director.  "And it's been a long time in coming. So it's great to meet that need."

1998 - The Tribe and Spirit Mountain Development Corp. announced plans to build a $3.1 million retail and commercial center in Salem at the corner of Fairview Road and Commercial Street. "The project shows our confidence in Salem's future," said Tribal Chair Kathryn Harrison. "We will produce a high-quality retail center that benefits the entire community."

1993 - The Tribe announced purchase of the Zimbrick property located near the Tribal Forestry Offices along Highway 18. The Zimbrick's sold the 197 acres to the Tribe for $420,000, making it the single largest land purchase by the Tribe at that time in its quest to expand its reservation land base.

1988 - Oregon Gov. Neil Goldschmidt held a brown bag luncheon with women representatives from around the state, including Tribal Council Secretary Kathryn Harrison, who was the only Tribal woman present. She was selected to attend on behalf of the Oregon Commission on Indian Services, of which she is vice chair. Issues of concern included economic development, affirmative action, child care, child abuse, alcoholism and drugs, women-owned businesses, prison issues, school closures, better communication with the governor's office and jobs.

Yesteryears is a look back at Tribal history in five-year increments through the pages of Smoke Signals.