Yesteryears -- Feb. 1, 2018

2013 – Tribal Council drafted a letter expressing its “great alarm and concern” to University of Oregon President Michael Gottgedson regarding a restructuring that ended the contracts of three top diversity officers, including former Klamath Tribal Chairman Tom Ball, who had served since 2005 as one of three assistant vice presidents in the Office of Equity and Diversity. The Grand Ronde Education Department had worked with him for years and saw him as a “key liaison” and his position being “of critical importance” to Oregon’s nine Tribes, Tribal Council Chairman Reyn Leno said.

2008 – The Tribe received a two-year grant from the Administration for Native Americans for the architectural schematic design of the Tribe’s planned museum and cultural center. The two-year project included surveying, soils analysis, wetland and archaeological site assessment, and preliminary interpretive design of exhibit space. The Tribe was set to provide $52,000 in matching funds for the schematic design as part of its 20 percent match share.

2003 – A glitch in refinancing was making it challenging for Tribal members in Grand Meadows to refinance their homes with lower interest rates. Approximately 20 of 30 homeowners in Grand Meadows could have benefitted by refinancing, but since they had financed their loans through the federal Housing and Urban Development Section 184, there wasn’t a refinancing provision included in it.

1998 – The Tribe created the Hatfield Fellowship honoring U.S. Sen. Mark Hatfield for his accomplishments on behalf of the Tribe, Native Americans, Oregonians and all Americans. The fellowship also honored the memory of Susan Long, who worked in Hatfield’s office during the Restoration era. The fellowship enabled a Native American to serve as a staff member of Oregon’s congressional delegation. The fellow would be a liaison between the congressional member and Tribes in Oregon.

1993 – Tribal member Neesha Grant of La Grande was crowned 1993 Grand Ronde Powwow queen. Her parents were Steve and Jackie Grant and grandparents were David and Emma Leno. The 14-year-old enjoyed horseback riding, camping and being with friends. At school, she was a member of the marching band and student league organization. Grant hoped to major in social work in college. “I am honored to have the opportunity to represent the Tribe through the Grand Ronde Royalty program,” she said.

1988 – Chemawa Indian School students spoke about the importance of Elders and education while participating with Tribal leaders at The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians’ Winter Conference. The theme, “Our Children Are Our Future,” was discussed by Chemawa Assistant Principal Jake Bighorn, who urged students to be humble. “Open the door to who you really are. Then the traditions, etc., will come into your lives,” Bighorn said. “Water always seeks the lowest places. Water is humble, but there is power there.”

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