Yesteryears - Nov. 15, 2022

2017 – The fifth Grand Ronde History & Culture Summit attracted a record number of 250 people from across the state. The annual event began in 2013 to help remedy the issue of Tribal histories not being properly documented in the past. Over the course of the two-day summit, attendees participated in group lectures about land and water, traditional gatherings, historic preservation and the Chinuk Wawa language.

2012 – For the second consecutive election, Oregonians overwhelmingly rejected the idea of allowing a private casino to be built in the Portland suburb of Wood Village. Voters rejected the idea by a 71 percent to 29 percent margin. Oregonians also defeated a constitutional amendment to allow privately operated casinos in the state.

2007 – Grand Ronde Tribal member Rebecca Knight was selected as the 2007-08 Hatfield Fellow. Knight, 22, was the ninth fellow and fifth Grand Ronde Tribal member to enter the program. She was set to begin her fellowship in Rep. Darlene Hooley’s office in December.

2002 – The Grand Ronde Veterans Memorial fundraiser featured Roy Hawthorne, a World War II Navajo code talker. He waived his customary speaking fee to help the Tribe defray costs. Hawthorne was a part of a group of Navajo men who developed the only military code the Japanese were unable to break during the war. The fundraising event also included other speakers, dancers and the Eagle Beak Singers. 

1997 – The first manufactured homes to be financed by Norwest Mortgage were expected to be delivered to the Grand Meadows home sites later in the month. “Homebuyers are eagerly waiting to move in, but will need continued patience while the factory crews and the contractors complete their work, making the home ready to occupy. Homeowners should begin moving in by early December,” an article stated.

1992 – The Medicine Wolf Alumni group included several Tribal members in recovery from drugs, alcohol or other dysfunctional behaviors. It was formed by those who had gone through treatment and wanted to have a support network that included resources for housing, jobs, child care and community interactions to help them gain self-esteem. They were hosting a can and bottle drive to raise money for their organization and to help promote healthy living activities.

1987 – The Tribe announced that there were 14 higher education and 12 adult vocational training students enrolled full-time for fall term. Additionally, the Adult Education Program was sponsoring culture and heritage classes every other week at the Depot Office. The Education Program also offered assistance for people seeking to earn a high school diploma or for basic skills development.

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