Letters to the Editor -- July 1, 2014

Dear Smoke Signals:

In 2003, Focus Circle VIP opened its doors and quietly began work. We met every Tuesday to do anger management and domestic violence education. Now Focus Circle is on hiatus for awhile.

The class moved from the old module (now gone) at Social Services to a fish bowl meeting room (now a nice office) in the Culture Department, then to the Education Department, then to Behavioral Health and the well-kept lawn outside Behavioral Health on a few warm evenings. We were at the Portland satellite office on Thursdays for a few years. Eventually, we found our way to Room 204 in the Governance building. It was wonderful, with enough whiteboard space and flip charts and a movie screen, enough multimedia capacity to handle the rapidly developing ideas, class curriculum, role play and change that comprise Focus Circle.

Almost everybody and every department at the Confederated Tribes of Grade Ronde has had a part in bringing Focus Circle to life and helping to heal the effects of multi-generational trauma. Thank you, one and all.

Your work has been awesome. Call me; let me know how you are doing.

Priscilla Marlowe

Salem

Dear Tribal members:

Over the past year (nine months actually), I have had the good fortune to serve you as a Tribal Council member. If it has been anything, it has been a learning experience. I thank those of you who have had the patience to stand by a new council member while they cut their teeth on a job that is immensely difficult.

Today I write about my concern over the state of affairs of the Tribe. The Tribe isn't collapsing, but there has been a growing divide that became really obvious to me at the last General Council meeting on May 18. What I am concerned about is that the uglier things get, the division will only continue to grow.

I am sure there are plenty of people who will say "Tell me something I don't know!" and there are others who will think "What is she talking about?" In my opinion, social media does not help. It simply gives Tribal members a forum where they can either sling mud or go for one another's throats. There is useful information, for sure, but much of it gets twisted to fit the agenda of whoever is writing. It really is like Fox News, CNN and MSNBC.

As we start getting into another Tribal Council election, I fear that this ugliness will make 2014 one of the most contentious elections ever. I hope I am wrong. If there is any piece of advice I can give you it is this: Contact the candidates directly with questions and concerns. You will definitely have constituents and detractors telling you that Candidate A is a saint or a jerk. You will definitely have rumors that take on a life of their own. Last, but not least, you will have false statements conveyed to you as gospel truth.

Maybe I am wrong. Maybe the candidates will read this letter and urge their constituents to help them run clean campaigns where issues, not personal dislikes, will be front and center. But as someone who has been the target of recent attacks, I am not encouraged as of late. Deep down though I am an optimist, and feel that the membership who really wants the best for this Tribe will find a way to prevail.

Sincerely, 

Denise Harvey

Roll #1874