Yesteryears -- Feb. 15, 2015

2010 – The Tribe was encouraging Tribal members to fill out their U.S. Census forms and specify that they are Grand Ronde Tribal members instead of Molalla, Kalapuya, Chasta, Rogue River or Umpqua. Although Tribal members might recognize themselves by their band, the federal government only recognizes Tribal members by their Tribal name on the federal register.

2005 – Construction on a new building to house records archiving, procurement and facilities programs was being aided by unseasonably warm weather. The 4,200-square-foot building was scheduled to be completed by March 15.

2000 – The Grand Ronde Tribe signed a memorandum of understanding with Willamette National Forest that states the forest will seek the Tribe’s input and consultation on forest management practices. Tribal Council Chair Kathryn Harrison and Forest Supervisor Darrel Kenops signed the MOU in the Governance Center Atrium.

1995 – Good weather also was helping the construction of the Tribe’s new gaming facility. “We are almost finished with the foundation work,” said Bruce Thomas, Spirit Mountain Development Corp. director. “The nice weather has really helped.”

1990 – Tribal Council Chairman Mark Mercier presented the Yamhill County Board of Commissioners with a $20,000 check as a one-time payment toward revenues lost by the county upon the establishment of the Grand Ronde Reservation.

1985 – Smoke Signals and Tribal archives do have a copy of the February 1985 edition.

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