Spirit Mountain Community Fund (SMCF) is pleased to present another of our ongoing series about who our tribal leaders are and highlight aspects about them that you may find of interest. This month, Camille Mercier, SMCF Board Member and Human Resources Director, Spirit Mountain Casino and Jack Giffen, SMCF Board member and Tribal Council member of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community are introduced.
Camille Mercier is currently the Human Resources Director at Spirit Mountain Casino and has been a board member of Spirit Mountain Community Fund since 2004. Camille was born in Lebanon, Oregon. Her father, who is of Dutch decent, has lived in Alaska for the past 30 years. Camille’s mother Jackie (Provost) Manyhides is a Grand Ronde Tribal member residing in Grand Ronde, Oregon, as does Camille’s great grandmother Nora Kimsey. Camille’s grandmother, Margaret Provost also lives in Grand Ronde. Camille has one younger sister, Molly Leno, who also resides in Grand Ronde. Just before starting high school, Camille and her family moved from Lebanon to Salem, Oregon. During high school, Camille was active in clubs and organizations and served on student council.
Kalim, Camille’s 13-year-old son, will be an 8th grader this fall at Willamina Middle School. He participates in Tribal activities and has an interest in sports. He aspires to become either a professional football player or an architect – or maybe both.
Camille began her college studies at Western Oregon University and later finished her college course work at George Fox University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Development with an emphasis on human resources. During her college days, Camille was involved in home decorating as both a means of supplementing her income and having some fun - she enjoyed wallpapering.
Camille admits that early in her high school days she envisioned moving to New York City, not owning a car, and enjoying the big city life. Well, sure enough, following completion of high school she did move to NYC but after a short time became disappointed. She explains that it was too fast paced and there was not a real feeling of community, as she had known growing up.
Camille has always had a strong tie to her Tribal roots and at an early age was awed in observing her grandmother’s [ Margaret Provost] tireless efforts that contributed to the eventual restoration of the Grand Ronde Tribe in 1983. “The great community support that existed then is alive today and is one of the many reasons I am proud to work for my Tribe,” said Camille.
Camille experienced some challenging times during her early years, but acknowledges that such experiences were excellent character builders and have made her a more caring and compassionate person today. “I have always liked interacting with people and enjoy the opportunity of experiencing human dynamics first hand…I like people and want to serve.”
Camille’s work history has primarily been with the Grand Ronde Tribe beginning in 1989, she worked with the Tribe’s Education and Prevention programs. In 1996 Camille began work at the Spirit Mountain Casino as a receptionist in the HR department. After a week on the job she learned of a recruitment position opening, submitted an application, was selected, and her career was off and running. More than ever Camille is committed to contributing back to her community through her participation with SMCF. She is currently enrolled at Willamette University where this coming December she will be receiving her MBA.
Camille and her son enjoy traveling and last year took an excursion to Europe. She admits that since she began her MBA program, she and Kalim’s adventures have been limited. Camille forecasts that someday they will once again have an opportunity to travel. She feels it is important that her son has an opportunity to observe other cultures and learn about the diversity of our world.
When asked about her hobbies Camille said that she once, and only once, sky dived as a means to learn that she had the ability to overcome fear and other obstacles. Now, with her limited free time, she likes to read, but homework has become her primary focus. “Otherwise, I am really a homebody and would just like to get some rest when time allows.” Camille is an artist and enjoys making traditional beadwork as pictured above.
Camille values the opportunity of being able to balance work, school, and raising her teenage son. “I really have no desire to be anywhere else and am thankful to be part of SMCF and the Grand Ronde Tribal community where words of supporting community and neighbors are put into action.”
Camille understands the importance of SMCF’s work and is compassionate about providing basic needs such a food and shelter for those in need during these challenging economic times. Following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, many dollars were going out-of-state and lots of people in-state were hurting. The current downturn in our economy is placing an even greater burden on programs that help meet immediate needs that compete with important long-term outcomes of environmental projects. Camille expressed pleasure with President Obama’s initiative on volunteerism. “We have a national call and a golden opportunity for everyone to be involved. I am looking for an opportunity for my family to become involved. We just recently participated at the Salem Art festival that was very rewarding and I know there are other meaningful opportunities.,” said Camille.
In closing, Camille emphasized the importance of passing along to our youth what we have learned and to understand the difference between living and just getting through each day. Camille sees SMCF continuing its presence in the philanthropic community and setting new standards in Oregon and elsewhere, "We will continue bridging the connections within the community.“ Camille places a high priority on education knowing that our youth of today will soon become future stewards of our limited resources.
Jack Giffen is a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and is a member of the Tribal Council. Jack was first elected to Tribal Council in 2003 and was elected to a second three-year term in 2006. Jack has been a Trustee for Spirit Mountain Community Fund for the past 6 years.
Jack was born in McMinnville, Oregon in 1951 and he and his wife Julie reside in Willamina, Oregon. They have three sons and five grand children and another grandchild on the way. Jack first attended grade school in a small 2-room schoolhouse in Grand Ronde, Oregon and in 1959, he and his family moved to Brookings, Oregon where he graduated from high school in 1970. Jack was very active in high school athletics; he played baseball, football, basketball, excelled in track, and was a Boy Scout leader. In high school, Jack soon established a command in long distance running and competed with well-known athletes such as Steve Prefontaine. Jack recalls that some of his best running times exceeded his competitors, “even Pre’s.” Immediately following high school Jack attended the University of Oregon were he continued to be involved in athletics and played rugby. Then and now Jack appreciates all of the sacrifices his parents made in supporting his athletics and notes that: “I can remember only one game where my parents were not present.”
In the late 70’s Jack, a certified pressure vessel welder, traveled to Hawaii were he helped build many of the high-rise structures on Waikiki Beach that exist today. Again, Jack’s athletic talents emerged and he recalls enjoying the opportunity to surf almost everyday.
Jacks parents, Jack Giffen Sr., and mother Arlene (Houck) Giffen resided in Grand Ronde, Oregon along with grandparents, Dewalt and Ardella Houck. Jack has one older brother who lives in Portland. In the early years most of Jack’s family was involved in the logging business where his father was a truck driver and his mom worked in lumber mills.
For ten years, beginning in 1983, Jack owned and managed several automobile parts stores in eastern Oregon. He later sold his stores and then began his employment with Marlette (later renamed Golden West Industries), makers of mobile homes, where he was the company’s northwest regional service manager. In 2000, Jack and his wife returned to Grand Ronde where both began working at the Tribe’s newly opened casino.
When asked about his hobbies, Jack responded by saying that he travels annually to eastern Oregon where he enjoys elk hunting and the opportunity to just getaway. He also enjoys “just riding my Harley [motorcycle], and stated: “I’m a very good cook, enjoy cooking and I do a lot of the baking. I took over as pie-maker from my grandmother.” Laughingly, Jack exclaimed that he was a huge Oregon Duck Fan, and that probably everyone was already aware of that fact.
Jack pointed out that being on Tribal Council is a 24/7 responsibility and his interest in Tribal government was kindled by his ancestors involvement. “The creator had a path for me, and I have tried to follow it,” said Jack. “I have learned along the way from my mistakes and continue to value honesty and integrity in all that I attempt to do. Serving on Tribal council for the past six years has given me a desire to share my expertise with all Tribes. I am concerned about Tribal sovereignty for all tribes and look forward to the opportunity to contribute, maybe someday at the federal level.”
Jack went on to explain that his association with the SMCF Board is an honor and he appreciates the opportunity to work with others. “We all donate our time to giving back to the community. Our elders had the vision of giving back to the community and that effort continues today through the Fund.”
Asked about his concerns for the future, Jack responded by saying: “We need to place more emphasis on community projects and better serve our neighbors. We will all have to make sacrifices to ensure that providing basic needs becomes a priority and some other things may just have to take a second seat for the time being. We need to have a stronger focus on our environment. If we don’t protect our environment, then there is a likelihood that many of us will not be around too much longer.”