General Council briefed on Spirit Mountain Casino

By Danielle Harrison

Smoke Signals editor

Spirit Mountain Casino Chief Executive Officer Camille Mercier and Chief Operating Officer Clint Johnson gave the first presentation of the 2024-25 General Council meeting cycle on Sunday, Sept. 8.

Mercier gave the presentation in executive session and then fielded questions and comments from Tribal members in attendance.

Since the presentation was held in executive session, Smoke Signals cannot publish specific details.

In other action, Tribal Election Board member Dan Stroebel delivered the Tribal Council election results from Saturday, Sept. 7, that saw two incumbents – Cheryle A. Kennedy and Jon A. George – re-elected to three-year terms.

Challenger and past Tribal Council member Tonya Gleason-Shepek beat incumbent, Tribal Council Secretary Michael Cherry, for the third seat. 

This year’s election was not nearly as close as in 2023, when there was a one-vote separation between candidates, the closest in an election since 1983’s Restoration.

Kennedy thanked the Election Board members for their work during the past few months.

“They’ve been taking calls and making sure that our Tribal members who didn’t have ballots or those who may not have been registered, (had) information on how to register,” she said. “Thank you, Election Board, for all the work that you’ve done.”

The next General Council meeting will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, and feature a report on the Tribe’s various investments.

Darlene Aaron, Judy Ballini and Robert Wiggs each won the $100 door prizes. Stefanie Shandy, Peter Grout, Yetiva Allen, Spencer Weiss and Leroy Good won the $50 door prizes. 

The non-executive session portion of the meeting can be viewed by visiting the Tribe’s website at www.grandronde.org and clicking on the Videos tab.

Tribal members wanting to see the executive session portion should contact Tribal Council Chief of Staff Stacia Hernandez at stacia.martin@grandronde.org or call 503-879-2304.