Yesteryears -- May 15, 2020

2015 – A decision on the Tribe’s request to have its flag hung in the Willamina High School gym was postponed by the School Board. After listening to 42 minutes of sometimes emotional comments in support of the Tribe’s request, the board decided not to act on the request until a meeting the following month. No one spoke in opposition to the proposal and School Board members did not explain why they would not address the request.

2010 – A permanent exhibit at McMinnville’s Evergreen Aviation Museum honored a late Tribal member. Air Force Capt. Carroll Grenia served as a B-17 pilot based in England during World War II. He led his men through 35 missions without being hit, enjoyed a long career in the Air Force and retired in the 1960s. He walked on in 2002. After his passing, word reached Evergreen Aviation Museum and the exhibit was created, which included Grenia’s jacket and flight suit, photographs and his carrying bag.

2005 – The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde was honored with a stewardship award from the state’s Water Resources Division. The award was given out annually for outstanding commitment to managing, conserving and restoring Oregon’s water resources. “I want to say we are honored to receive this award,” Tribal Council member Chris Mercier said. “We really appreciate the partnership with the Water Resources Commission.”

2000 – Oregon’s Start Making a Reader Today program paired the Tribe with the Portland Trail Blazers to help children become better readers. The program was targeted at children from kindergarten through second-grade. The program received a boost from Spirit Mountain Community Fund to help children at elementary schools across western Oregon, including Willamina and Grand Ronde.

1995 – There were 14 candidates nominated for Tribal Council at the General Council meeting. They were Joyce Kirk, Janell Haller, Randy Butler Sr., Kathy Tom, Kathryn Harrison, Ed Larsen, Joyce DeHart, Tom Jones, Margaret Provost, Earl Floyd LaBonte, Albert Jeffers, June Sherer, Pam Warren and Reyn Leno.

1990 – Tribal member Angie Leno was the first recipient of an Oregon Minority Achievement Scholarship. She was a senior at Willamina High School who maintained a 3.98 GPA. The scholarship paid full tuition and fees for the next five academic years.

1985 – The first Native American press conference was held in Warm Springs and attracted almost 100 representatives from the United States and Canada. Workshops were held in layout/design, writing/editing, business operations and advertising. Attendees also were encouraged to submit copies of their newspaper for the competition. Of 100 entries, the Siletz Tribe received an award for overall excellence.

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