Yesteryears -- April 1, 2020

2015 – The Tribal Constitution remained unchanged as two proposed amendments failed to receive enough support to pass. The first proposed amendment would have removed Secretary of the Interior oversight and approval of amendments to the Tribe’s Constitution. The second proposed amendment, which would have instituted term limits on Tribal Council service of a one-year break after three consecutive terms, also fell short of the two-thirds approval required to change the Constitution.

2010 – Spirit Mountain Casino paid for all bus fares between Grand Ronde and Salem during the month of April. The move was due to a combined effort between the Salem Mass Transit District and the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde to increase ridership on the 2X route. Transit District Finance Director Pat Mercier estimated the casino sponsorship would cost approximately $4,500.

2005 – The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde played host to the second annual Native Youth Leadership Invitational Conference. Organization for the event was spearheaded by the Youth Leadership group, which teamed up with the Youth Education Department to organize and plan accommodations for all in attendance. Keynote speaker was Robert Johnston of the Native Wellness Institute. He also held workshops on leadership, unity and maintaining positive attitudes.

2000 – Retiring Grand Ronde Housing Authority Board members Robert Watson and David Foster were honored at a special dinner that was hosted by the Housing Authority. They were honored for their years of service and contributions to the board. Housing Director Linda Layden said the current projects were vital to Tribal members and Elders, and would not have been possible if not for the contributions of Watson and Foster.

1995 – The Tribe’s Election Committee announced new election procedures. It would send out registration cards to any Tribal member who was eligible to vote, but not registered already. In addition, everyone who was registered would automatically receive an absentee ballot in the mail. Current Tribal Council members up for re-election were Andrew Jenness, Kathryn Harrison and Ed Larsen.

1990 – Willamina High School freshman and Tribal member Shonn Leno qualified for the Oregon National Team after placing second in a freestyle wrestling event. There were 400 competitors in the tournament. Leno was the first freshman in the state of Oregon ever to qualify for the honor.

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