Tribe celebrates 32nd anniversary of Restoration

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde celebrated its 32^nd anniversary of Restoration to federal recognition as a Tribe on Saturday, Nov. 21, with a full day of events.

The celebration began with a Tribal member-only prayer service at the Tribal Cemetery in Grand Ronde. The prayer service took place at the Atudship rock monument north of the cemetery.

The community began gathering at the Tribal gym at about 10 a.m. for the Restoration program and the midday meal. The Canoe Family started the celebration with singing, drumming and dancing.

Steve Bobb Sr., who is chairman of the Tribe’s Veterans Special Event Board, emceed the event and introduced current Tribal Council members after Tribal Royalty performed “The Lord’s Prayer.”

“Welcome everybody to the 32^nd Restoration anniversary of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde,” Bobb said. “I’m glad you could be out here today. We are very blessed and very honored to be where we are today. We give thanks to those that worked so hard.”

Tribal Council member Chris Mercier was first in addressing the audience.

“I was only 8 years old when the Tribe got restored,” Mercier said. “This is a unique community. I’ve made friendships that I know will last a lifetime.”

Tribal Council member Tonya Gleason-Shepek said that she hoped everyone would enjoy the day. “I love that we celebrate Restoration,” she said.

Tribal Council member Brenda Tuomi said she was proud to be on council.

“I feel so blessed to be part of this Tribe,” Tuomi said. “I’m so thankful to our ancestors. I wish the ancestors could be here to celebrate with us.”

Tribal Council member Ed Pearsall has been working on behalf of the Tribe since first serving on council in 1994.

“We had nothing at that time,” Pearsall said. “We’ve come a long way.”

Tribal Council member Denise Harvey thanked those who came before her.

“I want to thank (Tribal Elder and former Tribal Council Chairwoman) Kathryn Harrison. She’s here today,” Harvey said. “I want to thank her for all the hard work in getting us where we are today. I also want to thank (Tribal Elder and former Tribal Council member) Val Grout for making what we have today a possibility. It’s been such an honor and I’m so proud to serve all of you.”

Tribal Council member Jon A. George said the morning prayer service at the Atudship monument was the perfect way to begin a day of celebration.

“What a great day it is,” George said. “We were down at the cemetery this morning in our prayer circle. The sun was out. It was cool and crisp. It was a beautiful way to start this day.”

George said the Grand Ronde Tribe had very humble beginnings.

“There was not much here,” he said. “We took care of each other. What an honor it is to be able to see a small community grow into a big and caring community.”

Bobb delivered the meal invocation at 12:01 p.m.

Tribal Council members and Tribal staff served the membership a lunch of salmon, ceremonial stew, wild rice and pies.

Bobb recognized and thanked the three Tribal Elders most recognized for forging the Restoration of the Tribe.

“We also want to recognize Margaret Provost, Merle Holmes and Marvin Kimsey for working so extremely hard on our behalf,” Bobb said. “They got to work. They did what they had to do and they made lots of sacrifices so we could be where we are today. We always want to remember them.”

The Youth Education building was open and showing the annual “Walking On” video created by Tribal Graphic Designer George Valdez. It included a picture of Tribal Elder Violet Folden, who walked on only two days before the Restoration celebration.

Bobb honored and recognized past Tribal Council members Grout, Harrison and Wink Soderberg as well as current members of the Restoration Committee – Betty Bly, Darlene Aaron, Francene Ambrose, Kathy Cole, Reina Nelson, Julie Brown, Shannon Simi, Sarah Ross, Stacia Martin, Chelsea Clark, Kalene Contreras, Faye Smith, Marcus Gibbons, Provost, Tuomi and George.

Clark, Martin and Lisa Archuleta gave away raffle items throughout the daylong ceremony. The items included Tribal Pendleton blankets, stuffed toys and art sets.

“I’ve lived here all my life,” said Leno. “When we were Terminated, we never quit being Indians; the government just quit recognizing us as Indians. In 1983, they realized that mistake. That is what Restoration means to me is that’s the day the government recognized their mistake and said, ‘We apologize. You are still Grand Ronde. You will always be Grand Ronde.’ So for me that’s what Restoration is all about.”

Master of ceremonies Fabian Quenelle called for grand entry at 3:20 p.m. for the Restoration Powwow that followed the meal.

The Grand Ronde Color Guard consisted of Tribal Elder and former Tribal Council member Steve Bobb Sr. carrying the American flag, Tribal Elder Raymond Petite carrying the POW/MIA flag, Al Miller carrying the Oregon flag, Tribal Chairman Reyn Leno carrying the Tribal flag and Tribal Elder Alton Butler carrying the Grand Ronde eagle staff.

The Color Guard was followed by veterans Rich Van Atta, Kelly Mercier, Ron Hudson and Herman Hudson Jr. Tribal Council followed the veterans and Royalty followed Tribal Council. The shell dress dancers, fancy shawls and jingle dress dancers finished up the grand entry.

  Whip man Anthony Quenelle and his wife, whip woman Ramona Quenelle, stood next to the veterans when the flags were presented.

 Tribal Council Secretary Cheryle A. Kennedy gave the invocation and the veterans’ introductions began with Bobb.

During the powwow, the Tribe’s Culture Committee honored the Tribe’s oldest living member, Pearl Lyons, who is 103 and was in attendance with her family. Siletz Tribal Elder Gladys Bolton, 92, was honored as the oldest living woman other than Lyons in attendance and her companion, Grand Ronde Tribal Elder Herman Hudson Jr., who is 90, was honored as the oldest man.

During the powwow, Tribal member Cheyenne Simmons was crowned Veterans Special Event Board Senior Queen.

Also during the powwow, Michael Wilson was honored for 23 years of working at the Tribe. Wilson has been the Natural Resources Department manager since 2006 and before that he worked for the Tribe as the lands manager.

Wilson was honored for his impact on the Tribe’s hunting and fishing rights and overall effect on the Natural Resources Department.

During Wilson’s honoring, he called up Tribal Fish and Wildlife Manager Kelly Dirksen and honored Dirksen for his work with the Tribe as well.

Leno said the future of the Tribe rests on its young members.

“I acknowledge all of our past people,” Leno said. “I acknowledge what we do today. More importantly, I love seeing all of our kids here because I believe that they are the ones who will carry us into the future.”