November 2011 CUJ - Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian ...

CUJ Letters to the EditorContinued from Page 1time the CTUIR elected officials seem to recognize “offreservation” tribal members is when they want our vote.I ask each of the BOT candidates: How will youassure that you represent those of us who live off thereservation? I like many other “off reservation” tribalmembers want to participate in tribal government, affairsand services.I have legal education and experience that I wouldlike to use for the benefit of the tribe. I no longer practicelaw but would like to use my knowledge in otherways. I have tried to participate in tribal committeesonly to learn from the current BOT members that I couldnot do so. I asked that my mileage to meetings be paid.I was told “No.” I asked to participate in the meetingsvia teleconference calls. I was told “No.” I asked torepresent the tribal interests at meetings held here inthe Portland area. I was told “No.” Instead of findinga way to use my skills for the benefit of the Tribe I wasasked to resign my committee appointments.I have asked to be included in the buffalo, elk andfish distributions. I called the tribal Natural Resourceoffice and CRITFC (Columbia River Inter-Tribal FishCommission). Kathryn Brigham told me of one fishdistribution where I had to go to Cascade Locks toget the fish. I was happy to do so. Since I do not getthe tribal food distributions I am grateful for the food.Thank you Kathryn.I am now an elder. I recently read the “elders” report.Nothing seemed to allow elders who live off the reservationto participate in elders’ activities. We are not eventold of activities where on-reservation elders travel tothe Portland area. Are there any elders services, like apension, that all elders can receive?So, for those who want our vote, explain why I as an“off-reservation” tribal member elder should vote foryou. What answers do you have to my questions? Pleasecall me if you want my vote: (503) 970-8004.Celeste (Cece) Whitewolf, X1677Tigard, Ore.Support young leadership like GCChairman Aaron HinesIt is great to see the number of tribal members seekingelection for the upcoming Board of Trustees andGeneral Council leadership, especially the youngergeneration. Many of our experienced leaders are seekingre-election or election. However I think it is time thatour General Council membership think about electingsome of our younger generation members so that theycan learn from our experienced leaders and become ourfuture “experienced leaders.” Who is going to take overthese leadership roles if we don’t give them the chancenow? These people took the time to get their ballotssigned and turned in because they have an interest inrepresenting us, the General Council, now let’s givethem a chance.Many of our experienced leaders are getting older,have health issues, or have come back from retirementto help the Tribes move forward because of theirexperience and knowledge of being on the Board ofTrustees. In the last election, the General Council membershipelected Aaron Hines – a young tribal member- to the General Council chairman position. I have hadthe experience of working with him over the past twoyears seeing his youthfulness mature and his knowledgegrow. Sure he probably made mistakes but that is howyou learn and although I may not agree with everythinghe supported or objected to, he still had the GeneralCouncil membership’s interest at heart.Aaron has shown tremendous growth in my opinion.During his tenure, the General Council meetingshave had large numbers of tribal member attendance,he voices the General Council’s concerns and issuesto the Board of Trustees, he brings information to theGeneral Council that the Board of Trustees wouldn’thave, and he follows up on General Council membershiprequests.‘... I noticed this mansion sittingin this wheat field. I was toldthat it was the new tribal officebuilding and that it cost $28million ... We could have hiredten teachers for fifty years orfive nurses for seventy years.We could have built 300 newhomes for $28 million. Instead,we have this peacock of abuilding ... Nine bozos shouldnot be able to obligate theother two thousand of us andour descendants for millionsof dollars of debt, so they canfurther their obscene selfimagesof themselves.Furthermore, he is rarely on travel and is available toGeneral Council members. His heart is for the peopleof the CTUIR and what is best for them. I have heardand seen his frustration when the Board of Trusteeswon’t work with him on the General Council’s requestsor concerns, but he isn’t afraid to stand up for the people.Aaron is a fine example of a young tribal memberbeing given a chance. So, I ask the General Councilmembership to support our young leadership in theirinterest in representing us on the Board of Trustees andGeneral Council.Respectfully,Teara Farrow Ferman, X-1253Shippentower would continue workto ensure Tribal values, principlesThe sworn oath of office for members of the Boardof Trustees of the Confederated Tribes of the UmatillaIndian Reservation obligates us to “promote and protectthe best interests of the CTUIR.” And for me, the tribalmembership is the CTUIR. I fully understand that as anelected official that I represent the interests of the tribalmembership, and that I am accountable to the tribalmembership. I sincerely believe that the positions I havetaken and supported on tribal issues clearly demonstratethat I have never lost sight of this.For example, tribal members own Arrowhead truckstop and have elected the BOT to protect their ownershipinterests. However, when I ask for accountability, onbehalf of tribal owners, from the non-Indian managersof Arrowhead, some start in with “micro-management”and “BOT interference.” My commitment to honormy oath of office far outweighs my thoughts on beinglabeled a “micro-manager.” I do not believe tribalmembers elected us BOT members to merely accept orrubber stamp whatever is put in front of us.As a grass-roots tribal member, I have always votedfor those who I believed would provide tribal leadershipand not be afraid to take a stand. I am respectfully askingfor your support on November 15 th for re-electionto a second two-year term on the BOT. If re-electedI will continue to work to ensure that our tribal policiesreflect our tribal values and principles, includingintegrity, justice, fairness, and compassion. Thank you.541-310-7048.Sincerely,Bob ShippentowerMore support for Chairman HinesI am writing this letter of support to reel e c t C h a i r m a n A a r o n H i n e s f o r G e n -e r a l C o u n c i l C h a i r m a n o n N o v e m b e r 1 5 .Chairman Hines has stepped up to represent the peopleand ask questions of the BOT by the people and for thepeople of the CTUIR, which is who he represents - theGeneral Council.He knows and applies Article V of the Constitutionand bylaws of 1949 in his role. Chairman Hines takesthis responsibility seriously with a good heart and agood mind. He is a good representative for our people.I am supporting Chairman Hines.Respectfully,Mrs. Kathryn J. Burke, X-2241Chief Sampson supports daughterfor BOT Treasurer positionIt is time for a change on the Board of Trustees! We needa Board Treasurer that consistently and reliably reports theTribes’ finances to you, the Tribal members and shareholders.How many times have you asked for complete financialreports and not received them? How many times have youasked this Board of Trustees for accountability withoutanswers? How much does the Board spend of our moneyon their own travel? How often they are out of the office?How often have they benefited their own family, friends,and represent their own interests - not yours?How can the two current Board members running forTreasurer explain why they voted themselves almost$10,000 in severance pay if they don’t get re-elected? Whileno other Tribal member who is employed by the Tribes -or you – get those special benefits! And they manage ourTribal money – to benefit who?Once Board members get in office, they forget aboutthe people they serve until election time! Well it’s timeto demand and expect accountability. Sandy [Sampson]will deliver accountability and responsible spending ofour Tribal money – your money. She has over 10 yearsof experience managing one of the largest Tribal departmentbudgets - Tribal Public Works. They have builttribal roads, maintained tribal buildings and cemeteries,managed tribal water and sewer systems, built the newNixyaawii Governance Center, helped with tribal funerals,cleared roads during the cold winters, and workedto serve the Tribal membership – all within budgets andhave been accountable and reliable all the time – notjust during election time. Her experience working withWildhorse Casino marketing department allows her tounderstand the Casino operations and hold the casinoaccountable. She won’t be like some Board members andget paid to attend golf tournaments, attend conferences,or micromanage and publicly ridicule tribal staff. She supportsNixyaawii Community School, supports our TribalElders programs, supports building our Tribal membershousing, and supports educational scholarships for ouryouth and improved health services to our people. It’stime for a positive change!Carl Sampson, Chief of the Walla Walla.Prohibit ‘deadbeat politicians’ fromspending without GC approvalI recently returned home for a visit, and I decidedto look around. I noticed this mansion sitting in thiswheat field. I was told that it was the new tribal officebuilding and that it cost $28 million. I slowly beganto anger at the obvious waste of resources. I did somesimple arithmetic.We could have hired ten teachers for fifty years orfive nurses for seventy years. We could have built 300new homes for $28 million instead, we have this peacockof a building.We tribal members should seriously consider amendingour constitution and expressly prohibit these deadbeatpoliticians from spending more than ten thousanddollars per project without approval of the GeneralCouncil. Nine bozos should not be able to obligate theSee Letters, Page 76 Confederated Umatilla JournalNovember 2011