Yesteryears -- Feb. 1, 2017

2012 – Tribal Council voted to send a proposed constitutional amendment to voters that would create a primary during the Tribal election process if more than 10 candidates were nominated in any given year.

2007 – Tribal General Manager Chris Leno was honored with a Pendleton blanket for his years of service as the chair of the Grand Ronde Tribal Housing Authority Board.

2002 – The Tribal Cemetery started closing at dusk to safeguard recent improvements. “For those who wish to pay their respects, or visit loved ones, the gates will be open, as usual, every day during daylight hours,” Smoke Signals reported.

1997 – By signing a new compact with the state of Oregon, the Tribe agreed to contribute 6 percent of casino revenues to be used for community projects and programs in 11 northwest Oregon counties. The new philanthropic entity will be called Spirit Mountain Community Fund.

1992 – The General Committee Ordinance was changed and it created vacancies on several committees. The new rules allow only one family member per committee, one staff person per committee and only one Tribal Council member per committee. “A broader representation of the community will bring community input into the Tribal government process,” said General Manager Jim Willis.

1987 – Tribal members were needed to serve on the Archaeology, Education, Health, and Hunting and Fishing committees. The committees assisted Tribal Council in creating policies and activities for Tribal programs.

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