38th Restoration Celebration will be held virtually

By Danielle Harrison

Smoke Signals staff writer

For the second time since 1984, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde will not be hosting an in-person Restoration Celebration.

This year’s commemoration of the 38^th anniversary will be held online due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain issues.

During the summer and early fall, COVID-19 infections surged nationally and in Oregon, mostly attributed to the increased contagion of the Delta variant, although cases have been dropping steadily in recent weeks.

The Tribe announced its decision in a Facebook post on Friday, Oct. 22.

“On Nov. 22 we will gather as a community to celebrate 38 years of Restoration,” the Tribe’s Facebook post stated. “We've grown tremendously over that time. We hope that Tribal members will take this opportunity to share their own Restoration stories and family photos in the discussion thread of this event.”

The online event will be held at noon Monday, Nov. 22, via a Zoom link that will be posted later. To see updates, visit the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Facebook page.

“Every year since our Restoration, we have gathered as a Tribe, a community and a family to celebrate Nov. 22, Restoration Day,” Tribal Communications Director Sara Thompson said. “While the COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to hold our annual celebration virtually for the second straight year, we are still looking forward to gathering with our family and friends to commemorate this day and those that have gotten us here.”

There also will be a virtual raffle held at 10 a.m.

“Just like last year, every Grand Ronde Tribal member will automatically be entered into the raffle and the raffle will be broken down into various age categories,” the Facebook post said. “We encourage everyone to join us.”

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 that 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 last in-person event, which was held in the Tribal gym.