Letters to the Editor -- May 1, 2016

Dear Smoke Signals:

Over three years ago, the Oregon Department of Human Services informed us that our grandchildren, who were in temporary foster care (through no fault of their own), were about to be placed for adoption or placed in permanent foster care. At the time, we were the only relatives that were available to take custody of the three girls. We went through foster care school, background checks and all the other necessary paperwork and seminars to qualify for custody. When we thought we had met all the requirements, DHS told us, “Sorry, but your house is not big enough.”

We had heard something about the “grandfamily” program and Betty made an appointment with Shonn Leno in Housing to discuss the housing issue we were having with the state. Shonn and staff were very helpful with all the paperwork and Leon Ramos went the extra mile to get our new home ready on such short notice.

The house is perfect for family living with three bedrooms and two baths. There is a playground in the backyard for the little ones and easy access to the senior center. Solar panels help keep the home electric bill affordable. All this made the whole process lots less stressful. When kids are upset and insecure because they don’t understand why they cannot be with the only family they have ever known, a good, warm and secure home is an absolute must.

Things have worked out very well for us. All of the issues regarding the family have been worked out through the courts over the years and the kids have been reunited with their mother and are doing great! Kudos to the Tribe and especially those in Housing for seeing us through those troubled times. You helped make a family whole again.

With our appreciation and thanks.

Betty and Roger Bly

Roll #3544

Dear Smoke Signals:

To all Tribal members, I would like to bring attention to the Wednesday Tribal Council meeting held on April 20, 2016. The reason I am writing this letter to you is so our members that do not or cannot view this meeting know the information given.

At that meeting, I asked questions about the upcoming vote to be held concerning the definition of Grand Ronde blood. I asked a question of the four out of five members who attended that if the change of blood definition passes if they know how many new members could enroll. I told council members that I believed they owed it to the membership to give us a “yes” or “no” answer to my question that if the amendments concerning definition passed if they had any idea of how many new members could enroll.

In my opinion I felt as if the council members asked were avoiding my questions and after some time the Chair answered their question for me, which was a “No.” Following Reyn Leno’s answer, Chris Mercier and Denise Harvey said there would be information given prior to the vote. My opinion regarding this issue is that if we go into this blindly and it were to pass, no one knows how many it would bring in and how much it could affect our programs.

Another concern of mine is there is nothing in the language stopping the amount of members this could bring in if it were to get out of control. Other Tribes have made this mistake in the past and the results were disastrous.

Reyn Leno also stated later in the meeting that as hard as it has been to get meetings on this issue, he does not believe there is enough time to get information on this matter prior to the vote. In my opinion, to go blindly into this issue and vote on these matters would be very careless and irresponsible for our council to do. As of now, we have no idea how many could enroll and how hard it could affect our programs if the amendments were to pass.

Also at the meeting, Toby McClary and others expressed how they felt that having to vote on bundled amendments forced them to vote on issues they did not agree with and basically did not seem like the right thing to do. I have to say as I have in prior letters that I totally agree.

Tribal Council member Chris Mercier’s response to these statements is that he believed bundling these issues together gives them a better chance of passing.

In closing, I will state it is another opinion of mine that this bundling issue has contributed to much of the division that has arose in our membership and I sure hope this is the last time we have to face this matter. Please remember people, we are all in this together and all affected by it, and we need to try and reach the best possible answers together without making decisions that put the future of our people in danger. There is too much unknown to pass these amendments.

Rex D. Haller

Roll #905