News for March 1, 1999

It's been a long time since I've updated you on the goings-on around here. We had a few rocky months since my last newsletter, but by the number of contacts generated over the last couple of months I can tell that our loyal readers are still with us. Actually, it looks like we've picked up a number of new ones.

Fishing and Hunting

Briefly from the sportsman side -- The fishing was pretty good in season, when the rivers weren't in flood. As usual the best angling was up at Three Rivers, and the Nestucca River was above average for Steelhead. The hunting seasons were disappointing with some deer being taken and fewer elk. The reasons are about the same as last year. The old-timers didn't get out much and the younger hunters hardly leave the road. Also, the weather has been dismal for hunting. The early part of the season was warm and later the rains set in.

Grand Ronde News

The Tribal news is wide and interesting. The building program for the Tribe was completed in October with the opening of the new Tribal Administration Building. That finished the first phase of Tribal construction. The other structures were the Forestry and Natural Resources Building and the Tribal Health and Wellness Center. The next phase will include such things as a Cultural Center and a Veterans Memorial. The fight between the Grand Ronde Community Water System and The Tribe has been taken into court. In case you are not aware, this predicament has to do with the tribe paying for the water used in its housing development and the water system's refusal to allow more than one vote. It's complicated only in that it is a struggle for power within the water system.

Good News, Bad News

What I've heard is that last summer the timber company's surveyors decided, after pursuing aerial maps, that more timber could be harvested than was first thought. So the cutting as been going on at a pretty good rate. My thoughts on this are that it is their land and as long as they follow the rules of stream buffers and re-planting then they should be able to cut. The sad part is that most of the trees that are being cut are fifty years old and many are younger. The reason of course is to make money. What makes it sad is that the next series of cuts will be only thirty years old. A personal fear is that in a hundred years (or less) these hills will resemble the country of Lebanon.

Spring Will Come

It has been a long winter and if one doesn't pay attention to the subtle signs of nature it appears that there is no end in sight. However, the birds have been staking out territory for the last three weeks, the coyotes have denned up and the rains have slowed to a series of showers. Yes it's true, finally the rain no longer comes an inch at a time, but only in tenths and traces. There are small tender leaves showing on some of the brush and the insects are hatching. To continue on with the wild life. I heard an elk bugle the other evening, something that happens when they lose their antlers. And most of the hawks left the valley, only the small ferule hawks remain. I even saw a vulture a few days ago, surely a sign of spring.

Pow-Wow Logo

Other non-nature signs of spring are showing. They are none other than the announcements for this year's Pow-Wow. The entries for the Pow-Wow logo contest are due the 15th of April. This contest is not limited to tribal members and we urge our readership to get involved. Contact Dana Leno 1-800-422-0232 for questions.

The Grand Ronde Royalty Court

Time for entries to The Grand Ronde Royalty Court. This is open only to tribal members and for questions and applications contact Leonette Gallagher at 1-503-879-5061.

Spirit Mountain Stampede

Then of course the surest sign that winter is past and summer is close is the posting of the dates for the Spirit Mountain Stampede, June 19 & 20. Contact Ed Larsen at 1-503-879-2300 for information.

Attention Veterans

The Grand Ronde Veterans' Pow-Wow July 9,10 & 11. This event has grown from an afternoon in the grade school gym to a three day event, so plan ahead and call. This is a way to honor the veterans who served in the U.S. military and to participate in their honor. Also if you are a U.S. Veteran come and spend some time with your fellow vets. You are more than welcome and appreciated here. You can call Marce or Sharon Norwest at 1-503-879-5878.

Summer Ends on a Festive Note

The final sign of summer and, sad to say, marking the end of summer is The GRAND RONDE POW-WOW. This year the dates are August 20, 21 & 22. This will be the third year that there will be competitive dancing. So for entry information and other general info call Dana Leno at 1-503-879-2037.

Thank you all for sticking with us through some frustrating times and let us know what you think of our little family paper.

Following are some west coast Pow Wows, and if you live else where in this great nation, contact a local tribe for any of their celebrations. Shut the computer down and get some sun, it'll be good for the soul.

Pow Wows Not To Miss

March 19 & 20 - Student Alliance Pow Wow
San Diego, CA
1 -619-594-2764

March 20 - Suislaw Pow-Wow
Florence, OR
1-541-902-8941

March 26 &28 - Indio Contest Pow Wow
Indio, CA
1-800-827-2946 ext 3017

March 27 & 28 - Spring Competition Pow Wow
Lincoln City, OR
Craig Whitehead, 1-800-922-1399

April (no date yet) - Root Feast , Warm Springs Reservation, Warm Springs, OR
1-541-553-3257

April 9 & 11 - Shoalwater Bay Sobriety Pow Wow, Westport, WA
Salina Harris, 1-360-267-5301

April 9 & 11 - Cal-State Northridge Pow Wow
Northridge, CA
Rebbeca Harp, 1-818-677-7315

April 10 - Muckleshoot Mini Pow-Wow
Auburn, WA
Walter Pacheco, 1-253-939-3311 ext 153

April 17 - Mills College Pow Wow
Oakland, CA
Ann Metcalf, 1-510-430-2341 ext 1

April 17 & 18 - California Choctaw Gathering
Bakersfield, CA
Theresa Harrison, 1-805-836-8270

April 24 - South Umpqua Pow Wow
Myrtle Creek, OR
1-541-863-6274

April 30 & May 1 - De Anza College, Pow Wow
Cupertino, CA
1-408-864-8355

Michael Sherer

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