More tribal candidates express views
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(Editor’s note: These candidates are the last to respond for the Tribal candidate story. Part one was published in the Oct. 23 edition. Election day for the Tribal Council primary is Saturday, Nov. 2)
FLATHEAD RESERVATION — Tribal Council candidates running in the primary election explain why they are running for tribal council and what the main issues that need to be addressed are.
Arlee district candidates are incumbent Jim Malatare, Travis L. Arlee, Bryan Brazill, Zachary Conko Camel, Myrna DuMontier, Shelly R. Fyant, Tom A. Haynes, Shelley R. Hendrickson, Joe G. Pablo and Dawnelda M. Parker.
Travis L. Arlee, 42, is currently employed by the Salish Kootenai Housing Authority as the Lease Compliance Specialist.
“As a representative of our great Tribal Nation, I will bring compassion, sincerity, and open mindedness to the membership’s concerns and issues. I will also advocate the priority of more higher education scholarships for our children, starting them in their freshman year of high school, to have our young tribal members ready to enter high-level employment within our tribes as attorneys, doctors and engineers.”
Arlee said he is asking for “support during these Tribal election times, to give me the opportunity to serve you as your employee, and not as your leader. The Membership is the true leaders in our tribe, as I will just be your voice.”
Dawnelda M. Parker, 29, said she is running for Tribal Council “for I feel the Tribal council is there to serve, listen and assist the membership.”
Parker gained her leadership skills while serving four years in the United States Navy, attending college and work experience. Her highlights for running for council are “higher education by helping membership achieve college degrees or advanced training, culture preservation by saving our languages and traditions, economic development to help improve the amount of job opportunities, management and conservation of our natural resources, strive to increase the standard of living for membership and respect the tribal membership and their voice.”
Tribal members running for the Polson seat on the council are incumbent Steve Lozar, Vernon S. Finley, Judy Gobert, D. Renee Pierre, Brad Pluff, Helen M. Rhine and Dennis D. Villegas.
Renee Pierre, 48, works for CSKT Depart of Human Resources Development. She graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in business administration/management option.
“My main reason for running is it sounds like the people want change. I feel I bring the education and the experience, with 30 years combined education and experience.”
“The drug and alcohol epidemic is killing too many of our youth,” Pierre said. “We need to catch them before they get into drugs and get them help before they are facing jail time.”
As a person of action, Pierre said she is tired of all the “talk, talk, talk.”
“I want to get in there and get something done, whether it’s a treatment center or activities for youth to keep them from going down that path.”
Brad Pluff, 48, is self-employed. A graduate of Polson High School, he studied business administration at the University of Montana-Western. He was a Tribal Law Enforcement officer for 12 years and a tribal judge for six years.
“I made the decision to run for council because I, like many of you, am frustrated by a council that has apparently forgotten who they work for. I feel my strengths are this council’s weaknesses. I would bring accountability, decisiveness and integrity back to the council.”
He said he is somebody who would be open and respectful to the tribal membership.
Elmo candidates are incumbent Reuben A. Mathias, Willie Burke, Junior Caye, Lois Friedlander, Mignon “Ceta” Harris and Len Two Teeth.
Lois Friedlander said she is running for Tribal Council so the people have a say in their tribal government, especially shareholder revenue and how it’s spent.
“My main issue is that people have a voice, and we end suppression, repression and oppression,” Friedlander said.
Mignon “Ceta” Harris is running for the tribal council seat for Elmo. She has two degrees, one in Informational Technology and the other in Applied Science in Media Arts.
Harris has worked for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes for 13 years in human resource programs such as Kerr Elderly, Energy Assistance, Social Services and Child Support Enforcement.
“I have working knowledge of the services that are available to our people,” Harris said.
“While I feel education is key, so is culture and preservation,” she explained. “Our native children are struggling in the public schools on our own reservation, forcing them to drop out or transfer to alternative schools.”
As the Elmo District Representative for the CSKT Education Board, Harris said, “We need more district representatives so we have a voice on how Johnson O’Malley monies are spent on our Native children. Our children are our future; if we don’t look out for their best interests, we will be a lost tribe down the road,” Harris said.
The St. Ignatius district has nine candidates on the ballot including incumbent Joe Durglo. Amelia Adams, Leslie Buck, Jr., Francis C. Cahoon, Tim Jeffries, Charles L. Morgieau, Michael McElderry, James H. Steele, Jr., and Patty Stevens are also vying for this seat.
Lester Buck, Jr., wants transparency within the tribal government.
“I want the Tribal Council to be open and honest with us,” Buck said.
His main issue is equal opportunity employment.
