News for June-July, 1998

Summer has finally come to the coast range.   It seems to be running about a month late; similar to my newsletter.   The weather over here in the coast range has been a little cooler than usual for this time of year.   The mornings have been cool and overcast and the afternoons have clear blue skies.   The wildflowers didn't seem to mind and for a while in June the road sides were splashed with colors.   The fishing up on Agency Creek in both June and early July was excellent.   I've heard stories ranging from acceptable to extraordinary.   But the trout are being caught and they are keepers.

The baby animals are out of their nests.   There is a pack of coyotes yapping and howling down on the flats and fields in the evenings.   That would explain the drop in the cat population.   There are some new additions to the local wildlife this year.   A woodpecker has taken up residence in a snag and is feeding it's offspring by working both standing trees and a whole series of stumps.   Also an owl has a nest somewhere nearby.   The evening screeches and fluttering tells me it has at least one owlet.   Then, of course, the neighborhood bobcat has returned.

Two of the local human happenings have taken place.   The Spirit Mountain Stampede was not as well attended as last year; But the participant turn out was larger than last year.   The arena action was worth the price of admission.   The second of the three events was the Grand Ronde Veterans Pow-Wow.   This was larger than any previous year.   I could say this was a good old fashioned Pow-Wow.   And what I would mean is that half of the grounds weren't covered with vendor's booths.   The ceremonies started each day at noon and carried on well into the night.   the Pow-Wow was to honor the men and women of all Indian nations who have served in the armed forces of the United States.   There were many tribes represented, most were from the northwest.   There were others from the plains and the southwest.   The celebration was more traditional in that it was less structured and held for the participants.   The Grand Ronde Pow-Wow has become a show case festival, Where the wannabes and syncopates can watch the Indians dance.   Then browse through the booths and buy "authentic" native arts and crafts.   In any case, the Veteran's Pow-Wow was well received.   The Grand Ronde Pow-Wow is to be held the 14th thru the 16th of August.   There will be the final judging and selection of the Grand Ronde royalty; followed by grand entry and dancing on Friday the 14th.   Then on Saturday morning the Spirit Mountain fun run, followed by breakfast and a parade.   The Grand entry will be at mid-day and the action will truly begin.

The campaign for tribal elections is in full swing.   The candidates letters were printed in the July Smoke Signals and there were no surprises.   Most told who they were and what they would like to do when elected.   As usual the few good ideas mentioned were ripped off and implemented by the council.   There by stealing the candidates thunder.   The incumbents let every one know all of those things that they were responsible for.   The indecision, divisiveness and backstabbing were conveniently overlooked.   One candidate upstaged the others.   He wrote a short letter telling about himself; Then followed it with mass mailing that more clearly explained what he would like to accomplish.   Whether or not this will win him enough votes is yet to be seen.   The candidates forum will be held on August 6th.   How well Floyd "Butch" LaBonti does in laying out his ideas and explaining his vision will determine the success of his candidacy.

Michael Sherer

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