Tribal council needs to represent tribe
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Editor,
It’s election time: the Tribal grapevine full of tales, enormous dollars being diverted, “Energy Keepers” bonuses and a steady flow from reserves.
Was the original Kerr Dam lease by council only, or with the memberships approval, with the upkeep and improvements part of the contract, and council setting aside dollars for event full takeover? When was that decision made, and will per capitas still be given?
With two petitions, side by side collecting signatures, BIA-recall accepted, validated and in progress, while Tribal payout referendum, refused, ridiculed, butchered, pages missing, no mandatory rules followed simply disappears. Gone, with little explanation.
Salazar Settlements: for defendants to deposit sums in a Third Party Financial Institution, not trust account or proceeds of labor for disbursement, with plaintiffs (CSKT) wavering all claims relating to the investments, disbursement or other management of the sum of money.
Cobell Settlements meant awarded for mismanagement of trust lands leases, resources, not maintaining trust accounts or providing record of account. The members with IIM accounts between 1985-2009 received $1,000 a piece. The members owning or inheriting trust land, zero.
Shouldn’t be any opposition to recall amendment since it’s a tool to keep individuals council members to uphold the oath and the Tribal Constitution and bylaws. We elect 10 council members to represent each district, supporting the theory of balanced diversity. The present council negates that critical component with continual unanimous decisions against the memberships, which defeats the democracy (majority rules: for the people, by the people).
Sybil R. Butler
Dixon
