Yesteryears -- March 15, 2018

2013 – Six European Fellows visited achaf-hammi, the Tribal plankhouse, and Spirit Mountain Casino’s buffet. Tribal Council member Chris Mercier called the plankhouse “our crown jewel.” Marshall Memorial Fellows from Madrid, Vienna, Ankara, Berlin and Warsaw met Americans by visiting people living in a variety of different circumstances. The Marshall Memorial Fellowship was created by the United States in 1982 to introduce a new generation of European leaders to America. All of the fellows were fluent in English and a variety of other languages.

2008 – Grand Ronde Cultural Education Coordinator Tony Johnson received the Indian Educator of the Year award at the Oregon Indian Education Association Conference. He had been working for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde since 1997. “It was absolutely shocking,” Johnson said. “It was a genuine surprise. In terms of things I’ve been awarded in the past, it is hugely significant to me.” In addition, Grand Ronde Scholarships Coordinator Luhui Whitebear was named Outstanding Volunteer of the Year.

2003 – Baskets from the Grand Ronde collection were on display at the Mission Mill Museum in Salem and showcased the “artistry and skill” of Willamette Valley Natives. Tribal Elders Kathryn Harrison and Merle Holmes attended the Western Oregon Basketry Display’s opening. The baskets represented different styles, techniques and materials used in basket making. “The idea of the exhibit was to showcase the baskets and show the continuity between weavers,” Cultural Collections Specialist Lindy Trolan said.

1998 – Health and Human Services Division Manager Cheryle A. Kennedy gave an update on Tribal health and wellness at a March General Council meeting. She noted that the prior year was very important because the programs had grown and were all housed at the new Health & Wellness Center. “Our goal is to raise the health of our membership by using preventive services as well at treatment services,” Kennedy said.

1993 – Sen. Mark O. Hatfield was named as the newest member of the Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs. Oregon’s fifth-term senior senator was a ranking member of the Senate Appropriations, Energy and Natural Resources committees. “Critical issues regarding self-determination of Native American Tribes will be debated in the select committees in the coming years,” he said. “I look forward to helping shape those discussions to reflect the needs of Oregon Tribes.”

1988 – Excerpts from “Just a Memorandum” by Mary Ann Michelle in 1956 were featured in Smoke Signals. In it, the author talked about her grandfather, Oregon City John, and his history with the Grand Ronde Tribe. She also described early life on the Reservation and the first land allotment, called the Thompson Allotment. “After the Indians were settled down, then they had to get the children started to school. They just had one big building. They had Catholic sisters here.” She continued that, “I am writing this because … I feel so sorry to think about all the people that signed the treaty haven’t even got a descendent living. Oh, it’s other things that happened, but it’s no use to talk about it.”

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