Merle Holmes, a member of the Confederated Grande Tribes of Oregon, died of natural causes on May 17. He was 70.
Holmes was known as the chief tribal historian. His work helped lead to the restoration of federal recognition for the Grand Ronde Tribes, whose status was terminated in 1954.
Holmes was a Kalapuya descendant, one of 25 tribes that make up the Grand Ronde confederacy,
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Crucial figure in tribe’s restoration dies at age 70
(AP 5/26)
Obituary: Merle Holmes, 70, fought termination
Wednesday, May 26, 2004
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