Letters to the Editor -- Nov. 1, 2017

Dear Smoke Signals:

As Thanksgiving 2017 approaches, I wanted to tell the Tribe how grateful I am and how fortunate I feel for being a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.

I am thankful for all our ancestors who endured hardship upon hardship to survive. There was a picture in Smoke Signals around 2003 of a Native woman with a huge bundle of sticks walking down a street and the townspeople were all looking at her with derision. That picture really struck a chord: I know she endured for all of us.

I am thankful to the ones who stayed and kept it all together after Termination. Restoration found us ready with a plan to success. I am grateful to all the Tribal Councils that have helped build a foundation for health care, casino dividends, education opportunities, and Elders’ pension and more.

And not to forget all the wonderful people who work to administer the Tribal programs. Good health to all of you.

So, thank you.

Judith Pettibone

Roll No. 717