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Tribal Council Election Statements
Page 10
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Simnasho
District
Candidates
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Jeannie Thomas
Jn 1991, (he tril)al members that ilon't have jobs here
were surveyed to find out w hy? Following are the top
three answers.
1. They put in many applications at Warm
Springs and never did net hired.
2. They moved for a jo! that pays enough to sup
port themselves and their family.
3. They moved to get job training or go to col
lege and stayed away to work.
The joh crisis is worse now. Warm Springs had two
big forest fires, a flood, our log and mill industry isn't
like it was and tourism isn't very big. Our tribes need
changes to earn money and create jobs. Hiring is frozen
until wages get into the tribal budget. At General Coun
cil and other places there are tribal members with pro
voking questions to answer. Samples of questions fol
low: Tribal Council and managers face hard decisions
to make.
Can jobs be reserved for laid off tribal members to
accept? Can more items be centralized to cut costs (food,
travel, souvenirs)? Can seasonal low-pay jobs get ben
efits if they return from year to year? What is the amount
of funds that requires a referendum vote from tribal
Members before spending is authorized? Are budgets
in compliance with advance approved spending alloca
tions? Is the end of year budget carry over money re
allocated to a general fund? Is it true that trust funds are
withheld from single 18 year olds that do not choose to
spend it on occupations or secondary education? Do
Tribal Council and executives have an ethics code for:
meetings; reports to districts; andor personnel poli
cies? Do they get performance evaluations? What's go
ing on with Natural and Culture Resources to save them?
We need plants, water, mountains, animals, earth and
human resources taken care of!
I am a candidate to be elected onto the 2001-2004
Tribal Council because many people recognize the work
experience I have in jobs as a Tribal Council committee
secretary, education director, employment coordinator
and culture-language administrator.
Advice was given by our Wasco Chief Nelson
Wallulatum. At the nominations meeting, he said we
need people on Council with economic development
know-how. Through my family's corporation, profits
came through land holdings, realty and service sales
enterprises. My experiences grew with taxes, permits,
cash flow and payroll. Also, I held onto personal jobs
because I like education, employment, culture and tribal
sovereignty responsibilities.
1
C .X
At the U.S. region offices in Seattle, I was trained to
integrate grants for reports and negotiating budgets into
standard formats. Also trained and have experience to
negotiate effectively for the rights of the Confederated
Tribes of Warm Springs. Working extra hours and on
weekends when needed is okay. I'm cautious to write
using appropriate interpretations and abide by unwrit
ten laws as a must.
Actions to take now arc critical to get more money
into tribal budgets. Money is the source of livelihood.
Tribal members need paychecks. In the old days we had
systems to keep alive, today modern politics take over
on what to do to keep families together. In basic busi
ness rules "nothing is free, good use of time earns
money, each worker does their share" or they can find
other jobs or be employed elsewhere.
This is an introduction of myself to you, I'm Frances
Jeanne Thomas named after my Dad, Frenchie, a Cas
cade River Indian from by the Bridge of the Gods Dog
River Band Wascoes. My mother is June Rose Courville
a Duwamish Black River Band and Klickitat Bands.
Barbara Jim
Hello my people,
I am a candidate for tribal council in the Simnasho
district. With the many concerns that arc prevalent in
Warm Springs, a good councilperson should address the
issues of the lagging economic stability, protection of
our natural resources, as well as maintaining and taking
a proactive approach with our traditional values and
beliefs. It is a very difficult task to blend all of these
issues together in order to maintain our individual tribal
sovereignty and also expand and improve our economic
situation.
with the economy or Warm :prings being on tne
down side at the present time it is important that we
try to find some economic solutions for the next gen
erations, to protect our children and their children. This
goal can only be accomplished with Tribal Council
working together in a positive manner so that we can
benefit all of our tribal membership.
Our natural resources are very important to our
economy, as well as our traditional values. A long-term
plan must be implemented in order to benefit our tribal
membership, but also preserve our natural & cultural
resources. With all the problems in this area it is neces
sary that we take a long hard look in the preservation
of these natural resources.
Some sort of action must be taken to take care of
our youth. For they are our future and a plan should
be implemented, with the consensus of all of Council,
to protect their rights and also to give them self esteem.
Education, not only education for a professional career,
but also education in our traditional and spiritual creeds
here in Warm Springs. Training programs to get them
employed with the Tribes in upper management posi
tions to make our Administration managed by tribal
members or married into the tribe. I believe that if we
take the time to show our youth the importance of ac
tually being Warm Springs and giving them pride in
where they are from and who they are, some of the
social problems that plague our community would not
exist. It is very important that we do take the time to
listen to our older people; these are the people that have
the knowledge and expertise to educate us. It is equally
important to listen to our young adults. They have many
problems and concerns and I think that we need to lis
ten to these young people and help them with what we
can. Lets show them that we do care about them and
that we are looking out for their welfare and well be
ing. There are many issues and concerns that there just
isn't enough room to address in the paper. Please feel
free to contact me anytime to address any questions and
concerns you have. I wish all candidates well in their
endeavor for Tribal Council.
1 ll 'Mlt' Kirby Heath Sr.
Ron Suppah Sr.
To restore the tribal membership's confidence in the
tribal government will be the first order of business that
needs to be taken care of by the next Tribal Council.
There is a real sense of apathy towards tribal govern
ment that makes it next to impossible to move forward
with any type of decisions. The new leaders that are
elected must listen and communicate with the tribal
membership in order to regain their trust. I hope and
pray that the newly elected Tribal Council will regain
the respect from the tribal membership.
1 encourage each eligible tribal member to vote. Let
vour voice be heard.
Marvin Meanus Sr.
Candidate did not file photo or statement for publU
cation.
Ray "Captain" Moody
Candidate did not file photo or statement for publi
cation.
Earl Squiemphen
I am a retired mill worker since 1995, so 1 am able to
devote myself full-time to Tribal Council. My number
one priority will be to represent the people of the Warm
Springs Reservation.
Please vote on April 9! Good luck to all the
candidates.
Charles "Jody" Calica
Simnasho District Voters:
We need to return more stable wisdom and leader
ship that will make wise decisions for our future wel
fare. We need some well planned changes based upon
the long term vision and needs of the people. Over the
past several terms, decisions appeared to be dominated
by more reaction to people, circumstances or special
interests. We need leadership that will act with hon
esty, respect and dignity, not out of vengence.
The Tribal organization needs to place the needs of
the membership back as priority one. To the extent that
it required using six attorneys to hold a few employees
accountable, employee riirhts have displaced service to
the community. We have many dedicated and talented
people in the organization and many more that should
be employed. The challenges we face will require our
seli-educated people to work taithtully along side oth
ers who may have formal education to some degree.
We need to return to some solid old-time commu
nity and family values. Proper conduct should be de
termined by what is traditionally, morally, ethically and
spiritually right. Acceptable behavior should not to be
defined by whatever the community will tolerate or by
what people can get away with by manipulating the
laws and the legal system.
Our elders lived by a few simple truths and wants.
Theirs was a lifestyle that was built on helping one an
other. Spiritually, we will be judged by our goods deeds
in service to the greater good of our families, our com
munity and our resources.
Please use your vote wisely. The success and welfare
of our people are at stake.
I have come forth first to let you know a little of
mvsclf to vou mv people. Mv father's name is Walter
Jackson Heath Sr.; my mother is Fllcn Starr Heath. I
was born here in the Warm Springs hospital on May
10, 1948. I grew up along the Rivers, i.olumbia,
Deschutes and Klickatat. Because of this, I became a
fisherman.
I started my education at the Warm Springs Board
ing School and graduated from Madras I ligh School. I
served in the United States Army from June 1967 to
1970. 1 am a Vietnam Veteran '67-'68 with the 196,h
Fight Infantry Brigade and 198,h Fight Infantry Brigade
of the Ameral Division. At present I still am an active
Veteran, Commander of Flliot Palmer Post 4217 Warm
Springs VFW.
In my time, I've been employed by Kahnceta, WSI'PI,
BIA Forestry, and janitor for WS Constructionrehab.
I've been selected by Tribal Council to serve both on
and off Reservation Fish and Wildlife committee for
four terms, Appeal court judge for 9 years. I lealth and
Welfare committee 2 years and Johnson O'Malley com-'
mittcc 5 years and I am an active member on the Hous
ing Board Commission and just completed my first year,
Presently I'm a single parent and am raising two fine
young teenage sons. Jerrod I. Heath age 17 and Kccna S.
Heath, age 16.
F'irst of all, I'd wish to acknowledge Neda Wesley
and Fannie Waheneka for nominating me for Tribal
Council. As you might know I too have a great concern
as all the people of situations that are affecting my
people. The scenario 1 see is very clear, for I see how
the personal that are our manager and consultant work,
this term and hasn't been very good for the people if all
went well we wouldn't be in a recession.
The Tribal Council is for the people but the com
munication with the people isn't happening, closed-door
policy only the Secretary Treasurer screens who should
see Tribal Council.
I'd like to see Council go back to the people period.
There is so many things need to be done and the people
are the only ones to make Tribal Council accountable
for all that may affect the people and the simple truth
is to have councilmen whom are willing to hear the
hearts of our people so our children may have a better
future by great leadership.
I love my children and my people and I wish for
them to have their needs met, medical, education, natu
ral resources, legal aide, better courts, CPS, Social Ser
vices, recreation and also our treaty must be carried on
in the way of our ancestors treaty signers ended it. For
if it wasn't for our treaty where would we be? Yes our
Constitution By-Laws must be adhered to and all must
stay in compliance.
Committees are fine as long as the right people are
selected. I really wish I could be more straightforward
of all that needs to be addressed. But those will have to
be worked on or dealt with to but need all leader to
come to a consensus to address mistakes or recognize
the weakness of present structure and to refine them
and remake all legal, legislative, economics, education,
natural resources, police, legal aide. I can go on but I
have a general idea and common sense to know we do
have problems and the work of leadership direction.
We have a long way to go.
Thank you.