Virtual Restoration Celebration will include raffle, gifts

If you attend

37^th Restoration Celebration

When: 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 22

Where: Virtually at www.grandronde.org and www.facebook.com/CTGRgov

More info: 503-879-2304

 By Danielle Harrison

Smoke Signals staff writer

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde’s 37^th Restoration Celebration will be virtual, but still include gifts for Tribal members.

“On Nov. 22, 1983, Grand Ronde’s federal recognition as a Tribal government was restored when the Grand Ronde Restoration Act was signed into law,” a statement on the Tribe’s website says. “Every year since then, we have gathered as a Tribe, a community and a family to celebrate our Restoration. Even with our 37th celebration moving online, we want to get small gifts to our Tribal members.”

To register for a gift, visit www.grandronde.org, scroll down to recent announcements and click on “Restoration Day 2020 Celebration,” where there is an online form to fill out.

The virtual event will begin at 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, and include two different sites: The Tribe’s website will feature a short, pre-recorded segment from Tribal Council. Facebook Live will have a raffle that automatically includes all Tribal members with no need to pre-register.

 “However, it is important to remember that these plans may need to change,” Communications Director Sara Thompson says. “Tribal members should follow the Tribe’s Restoration Celebration Facebook event for the latest information.”  

Tribal Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy says moving the Restoration Celebration online allows the Tribe to honor the day while keeping Tribal and community members safe, especially since COVID-19 case numbers are currently spiking in Oregon.

“We’re saddened that we won’t be able to gather in person for this year’s Restoration Celebration,” Kennedy says. “But even in this time of uncertainty, we still want to recognize this important day and honor those that made Restoration a reality for the Grand Ronde Tribe.” 

It will be the first time since 1984 that the Tribe will not be hosting an in-person event due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and state restrictions that limit the number of people at indoor gatherings.

The Tribe initially announced its decision in a Facebook post on Friday, Oct. 23.

“Grand Ronde’s federal recognition as a Tribal government was restored when the Grand Ronde Restoration Act was signed into law. Every year since then, we have gathered as a Tribe, a community and a family to celebrate our Restoration. Unfortunately, 2020 has left us in unprecedented times and we can’t gather in person this year. Restoration will still be celebrated, but the celebration will look a little different because we’re moving it online.”

On Nov. 22, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed House Resolution 3885 restoring the Grand Ronde Tribe, which had been terminated 29 years earlier, to federal recognition. His signature on the bill officially ended the dark time of Termination.

Every year since, the Tribe has held a celebration. It usually includes a meal, giveaways, speeches, dancing, drumming, singing, and a Restoration Powwow. Approximately 200 Tribal members, family, friends and elected officials traveled to Grand Ronde in 2019 for the event, which was held in the Tribal gym.