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Tribal Leader

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At one time, the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community in Oregon spread over 69,000 acres of land that encompassed vast forested areas. But as with many other tribes, they lost their land holdings.

"The appointed Indian agent sold that land at as little as $0.50 an acre until all our tribe had left was seven acres of cemetery," says Brent Merrill. He is the public information coordinator for the Confederated Tribes of the Grande Ronde Community in Oregon. "The only reason we had anything was that it was a cemetery and they couldn't take that from us."

In 1954, the government terminated the tribe. "They told the tribe that they no longer existed and would have to assimilate into the dominant society," says Merrill.

Under the Indian Relocation Act, Grande Ronde community members were offered jobs, as long as they moved from their community. Many of the tribe left the community and the state to pursue other careers.

"It broke the community apart," says Merrill. But the spirit of the Grande Ronde remained alive. Even though they were told they weren't a tribe, they persevered and began to rebuild their nation.

"One of the tribal members donated a trailer where we used to talk about how to get the tribe restored," says Merrill. "This council work was all volunteer. We'd have bake sales just to pay for the coffee for the next meeting."

The hard work paid off, and in 1983 the government restored the Grande Ronde's status as a tribe. With this status, the tribe was given back 9,811 acres of their land. "During the last 17 years, we've been gathering together to talk about issues," says Merrill. "The meetings grew and prospered until we needed a full-time council."

The Grande Ronde is a tribal council success story. "The land given to us was timber land. We manage it, and with the profits we have purchased more land and have worked on extensive projects."

The Grande Ronde tribe has built a state-of-the-art health-care center, a community center and housing, and has set up educational funds so that all tribal members have a chance to go to college.

The government's assimilation and termination policies led to the development of the National Congress of American Indians in 1944. Leaders and legislators within this organization continue to work to rebuild native communities.

"We're working on a number of issues legislatively right now," says Rebecca Donovan Johnston. She is a legislative associate. "Most of our focus is getting federal funding for programs such as education, new roads, health care and law enforcement."

Cherlyn Billy is a band chief. She has always been interested and active in her community. But she only decided to accept a nomination to run for band leader on the advice of others. "Some of the elders told me that I should run," she says.

Billy decided to run after listening to the elders. "They said it would be a good experience for me," she says. "They said it would change my life to be a part of the changes taking place around me."

Many others were on the ballot during election time, so Billy was surprised to win. "I didn't intentionally get involved, but I soon saw it would be good for me," she says. "I was glad I made the decision to run."

She is glad to be a part of the new council. "More young people have to start getting involved now," she says. "There are so many people who've been in for so long. Young people need to get involved early so that when we have to take over, we won't be starting from scratch."

Among other initiatives, Billy is working towards making the council more accessible to everyone. "I want everyone to be allowed to have a voice at the table," she says. "That includes our youth."

Merrill agrees that young people need to become involved in band and tribal activities.

"The message to send to students is that anything is possible," he says. "Young people shouldn't let anything sway their course of action. There is a place for them to get involved with the tribe and opportunities to get involved in tribal council are open to them. The tide has changed. There is so much potential for youth now."

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