By Milan Homola
A forced march in the mid 1800’s.
A whittling down of 69,000 acres of Presidentially guaranteed land to 5 acres in the 1950’s.
The humbling termination of the Grande Ronde Tribes that same decade.
It’s clear from history that this people group has been marginalized and systematically oppressed. Unfortunately, in the course of human history this is a common story. But what is vastly more uncommon is to see a redemptive, forgiving, and generous plot twist in that story…
I had the great honor of experiencing and pondering this plot twist when I visited the Spirit Mountain Community Fund check presentation ceremony at the headquarters of the Grand Ronde Confederated tribes this month.
Milan (second from right) and Ray Biggerstaff, Compassion Clinics Director (center), with generous members of the Spirit Mountain Community Fund at the grant presentation ceremony this month
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t looking forward to the four hour drive. But I was thankful for the foundation and its generosity to our mission, so I got in the car without any idea how inspired I would be by the end of the day.
I was surprised when the ceremony started with a cultural prayer, song, and video about the history of the Grand Ronde Confederated tribes. I was captivated because here were a people whose proud heritage beamed from them.
“It’s one of those plot twists that hooks the human heart: a people who have been bruised and battered turn around to bless and benefit diverse cities and communities that may be filled with descendants of the very ancestors who caused the bruising and battering.”
As I learned about their history I had a hard time matching up their past pain, suffering, and loss with their current grace, pride, and generosity. It’s one of those plot twists that hooks the human heart: a people who have been bruised and battered turn around to bless and benefit diverse cities and communities that may be filled with descendants of the very ancestors who caused the bruising and battering.
I left with so much more than an awarded grant. I walked away inspired by people who care about who they are, love what they do, and display a generous and gracious character that is much needed in this world.
According to Spirit Mountain Community Fund former trustee Steve Bobb, “It is an expectation of our ancestors that we follow through with sharing the wealth–it is something that our ancestors always did. So the legacy is to Grand Ronde and to our people, to our ancestors, to help all […] and we will for as long as we can.”
Thank you Spirit Mountain Community Fund for being you and boldly sharing why you do what you do!
Video: Click here to learn more about the history of the Grand Ronde Confederated tribes and the generous work of the Spirit Mountain Community Fund.
