Yesteryears -- Oct. 1, 2016

2011 – A first-ever Tribal Government Day between the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and city of Portland occurred. The three-hour event held in Portland was a concerted effort to build more awareness throughout city staff about the Grand Ronde Tribe and its historical connection to the metropolitan area.

2006 – Grand Ronde veterans became eligible for disability compensation from the Tribe. The new benefit was designed to help those covered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, but it will not double up with other Tribal benefits.

2001 – Like the rest of the country, the Grand Ronde Tribe was reacting to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York City and trying to help. Spirit Mountain Development Corp. was gathering Sabre-Tool units to send to the East Coast to help in rescue efforts at Ground Zero and the Pentagon. The devices could either be used to lift collapsed debris or cut through twisted or compressed metal.

1996 – Repairs to Agency Creek Road, which sustained substantial damage during the Great Flood of 1996, were completed. The Tribe received a grant from the Federal Highway Administration to fix the section of roadway that was washed out.

1991 – The first dentist to work for the Tribal Health Department in Grand Ronde started on Oct. 1. Tammy McClung was scheduled to work 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

1986 – Tribal Council members, personnel from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and newly hired consultant Ken Smith took a tour of the proposed land base the Grand Ronde Tribe hoped it would acquire for a new Reservation.

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