Yesteryears -- Nov. 15, 2016

2011 – The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde pledged $4 million in Tribal money to help fund the first phase of construction on the Newburg-Dundee Bypass. Tribal Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy made the announcement before the McMinnville City Club to a standing ovation.

2006 – Tribal Council Chairman Chris Mercier donned an Elvis-like wig, sunglasses and sideburns to open the General Council meeting, which focused on the preliminary budget for 2007.

2001 – Tribal members Jackie Whisler and Bobby Mercier were interviewed about their mission of teaching Chinuk Wawa to the next generation of Grand Ronde members. Their training was part of the Culture Department’s plan to revitalize the language.

1996 – Tribal Council members met with staff from Oregon’s Life Flight Network to discuss the possibility of setting up a helipad at the Tribe’s new Health Clinic, which was under construction.

1991 – Meredith Stanton with the Indian Arts and Crafts Board visited Grand Ronde to learn about Tribal artisans in the area. Her organization operates three Native American Museums across the United States that have gift shops selling Native arts and crafts.

1986 – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Commission approved the consent decree on Nov. 14, which limited Tribal hunting and fishing rights in return for state support of the Tribe’s Reservation Plan.

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