Yesteryears -- Jan. 1, 2017

2012 – The Tribe held its first-ever Salmon Celebration, providing an opportunity to say hayu masi to many state and federal partners for their support, show off Tribal natural resources rehabilitation efforts and teach how important salmon are in Tribal life.

2007 – Tribal Council members Chris Mercier, Jack Giffen Jr., Val Sheker and Wesley West attended the annual State-Tribal Government-to-Government Summit hosted by the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians at Seven Feathers Casino Resort.

2002 – Smoke Signals dedicated the first edition of 2002 to “the men and women, Tribal members and nonTribal members, who make the Tribe’s Spirit Mountain Casino the top tourist attraction in the state of Oregon.” Feature stories were written about Chief Executive Officer Mike Moore, Guest Services Director Randy Dugger and Human Resources Director Camille Mercier, among others.

1997 – A Women’s Ensemble sang for attendees at the annual Christmas Party held at Grand Ronde Elementary School. Ensemble members included Sharon Herron, Tamera Kennedy, Ruth Adams, Karen Haskins, Cheryle A. Kennedy and Annabelle “Peachie” Hamm.

1992 – New employees with the Tribe included Jim Parpart as an associate planner, Tammy McClung as a dentist, Rosalee Jimmicum of a dental receptionist and Vernon Kennedy as an alcohol and drug prevention education counselor.

1987 – A U.S. District Court judge formally signed the Tribe’s agreement on hunting and fishing with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, making it official. “This is a major step in getting the Grand Ronde Reservation established,” said Tribal Chairman Mark Mercier.

1982 – Merle Holmes resigned as Tribal chairman in November and Dean Mercier was acting chairman. Others on Tribal Council were Beverly Cooney, Clarice Ellison, Bob Leno, John Mercier, Frank Harrison and Sharon Herron. “1982 proved to be a year of many changes and challenges for the Tribal Council. There have been several changes in our nine-seat council. These changes have not hindered the council. Instead, the changes have given the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde an opportunity to draw upon new resources of knowledge within the Tribe in making decisions, overcoming obstacles and meeting new challenges,” Smoke Signals reported.

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