31st Restoration celebration schedule set

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde will celebrate its 31st anniversary of Restoration, which occurred on Nov. 22, 1983, with a day's worth of events on Saturday, Nov. 22.
The celebration starts at 9 a.m. with a prayer service for Tribal members and their families at the Atudship rock mound, which is designed to be a sacred memorial for healing. The site, first used during 2013's 30th Restoration celebration, is located on the Lash property immediately north of the Tribal Cemetery off Grand Ronde Road.
The Atudship rock mound is a monument honoring the plight and Restoration of the more than 27 Tribes and bands that make up the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.
"Atudship" is a Tualatin-Kalapuya term meaning to heap up earth and rocks, a Native ceremony that is usually associated with the practice of obtaining spirit power.
The prayer service is being coordinated by the Tribe's Land and Culture Department. People are asked to bring their own seating, such as folding chairs, to the event.
Beginning at 10 a.m., a traditional plankhouse celebration will be held in Achaf-hammi, which is adjacent to Uyxat Powwow Grounds and Fort Yamhill State Park off Hebo Road. Attendees are encouraged to dress warmly.
The plankhouse event is being coordinated by the Tribal Canoe Family, led by Cultural Outreach Specialist Bobby Mercier.
A short program and meal will begin at 11:30 a.m. inside the Grand Ronde Tribal gym. Tribal Council member Jon A. George will be the master of ceremonies and Tribal Council Chairman Reyn Leno will introduce and honor past and present Tribal leaders.
The meal will include ceremonial stew, salmon, mixed vegetables, salad, bread and pies from Shari's.
And then from 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday, a 31st Restoration Powwow, sponsored by the Tribe's Culture Committee, will be held. Prizes will be raffled off during the powwow.
In addition, the Chachalu Tribal Museum & Cultural Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday for tours.
Tribal members planning on attending the Restoration program and meal are encouraged to RSVP to Public Affairs at 503-879-1418 and leave a message with your name, Tribal roll number and the number of people in your party, or e-mail that information to publicinfo@grandronde.org.
Families interested in sponsoring a powwow dance special or donating to the Potlatch that will occur during the powwow should contact Culture Committee Chair Betty Bly at 503-879-6336.
Drums interested in performing at the powwow also should contact Bly. Guest drums will be limited to seven.
President Ronald Reagan signed the Grand Ronde Restoration Act on Nov. 22, 1983, ending 29 years of Termination for the Tribe and more than a decade of arduous work by many Tribal members to regain federal recognition. It has been called by former Tribal Council member Steve Bobb Sr. "the most important day in Grand Ronde history."