Peoples’ Voice questions council’s findings
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Editor,
The Peoples’ Voice was informed that during the June 6, 2013 Tribal Council meeting the council discussed the recent petition for a referendum vote on the Salazar settlement monies, and indicated they were deeming the petition invalid due to approximately 200-plus ineligible signatures. The challenges supposedly were for questionable tribal ID numbers and off-reservation addresses. Immediately upon receiving this information, The Peoples’ Voice Vice President, Eldon White, visited with tribal Council staff and requested a copy of the list of signatures that were being questioned. He was refused a copy and told that the council will send a formal response sometime next week to Sharon Rosenbaum, Peoples’ Voice President.
According to the Tribal Constitution, Ordinance 53-A, Section 5-Challenges - “No challenges will be considered which is not accompanied by supporting evidence in writing.” It appears the council was making a decision on the petition without the written supporting evidence being made readily available. Here again, is a direct violation of Ordinance 53-A.
When the Peoples’ Voice filed the petition on May 7, they requested to have two representatives in attendance during the petition review process. That request was never acknowledged. So, it should come as no surprise that The Peoples’ Voice strongly questions the council’s findings. Members, how do we trust a council that defiantly does not follow our own Tribal Constitution?
The Peoples’ Voice meets on Monday evenings at 6 p.m. at the Methodist Church on top of Post Creek Hill, Highway 93. Members are encouraged to attend and voice their concerns.
Peoples’ Voice Media
Donna Orr, St. Ignatius
Joelene Frey, Polson
