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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 1994)
Page 2 Editorial and Opinion Smoke Signals September 1994 Tribal governments must be run like corporations Being the leader of an Indian tribe is not an easy matter. It is only when one is elected to this high post that he or she is blamed for everything that goes wrong, is perceived to have gone wrong or is about to go wrong. Seldom is a tribal leader praised for the good things they do. But they are usually highly criticized for everything that doesn't go right. But, the one thing those critics should consider is: that it is inevitably necessary for a leader to make choices; and not all of those choices are popular ones. It's like the old joke of a shrink telling a journalist lying on his couch, "If you wanted to be popular why did you choose to be a journalist?H Being a leader doesn't always make for winning popularity contests. For too many years many tribal governments have been run like two-year vacation stops. People showed up for work when they felt like it and took days off when they felt like it. When present day leaders attempt to make their employees responsible for the time they put in and to be accountable to carry out the dictates of their jobs, they are often slammed. A tribal leader has to look at a budget. That budget will only stretch so far. When there are too many employees, that budget is strained. As they said, when the outgo is more than the income, the tribe will get into big financial trouble. As they say, again and again, there has to be a bottom line, even in running a tribal government. We cannot go back to the days of business as usual. If we work for the tribe, we owe it to the people to earn a day's wages for a day's work. As tribal leaders strive to run the tribal governments as corporations, they are being forced to cancel the free lunches. The best way to judge whether a leader has done the job you elected him or her to do is to see what financial condition the tribe is in when their term in office expires. And if they have balanced a budget, brought jobs and opportunity to the tribe, and stood up for the rights of the people in the process, then you can be their judge. The first thing an elected leader learns is, "Nobody said it would be easy." ( Cartoon and article from the Aug. 3, 1994 edition of Indian Country TodayJ Editorial Policy Letters From Our Readers Smoka Signals Is a publication of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon. We have recently adopted an Editorial Policy that encourages input from readers about stories printed in Smoke Signals as well other tribal issues. However, all letters from readers must be received at the Newsletter Office no later than the 20th of each month, with the author's signature, address, and phone number In order to be considered for publication. Letters must be printed or typed, and cannot exceed 300 words. Smoka Signals reserves the right to edit any letter for clarity and length, and to refuse publication of any letter or any part of a letter that may contain libelous statements or personal attacks. Not all letters are guaranteed publication upon submission. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Smoke Signals, tribal employees, or Tribal Council. Mail letters to: SMOKE SIGNALS, 8616 Grand Ronde Rd., Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347 ATTN: Tracy Olson I ' 1 j MOVING? Let us know! j NEW OLD j I Name: I Address j Cut out and mail to: I Smoke Signals 9615 Grand Ronde Road I Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347 i fep' 0 0 jl lL! I I o C99A Indian Country Today It's Your Tribe It's Your Constitution Please vote September 10, 1994 If you have questions regarding election procedure, please contact the Election Committee office, at 879-5600, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1-4 p.m. "PLEASE USE THIS REQUEST FORM OR A PHOTO COPYOFTHIS FORM roRABSENTiERjVrREQliEr' J TRIBAL ELECTIONS 1994 Absentee Ballot Request 1. ; , Print Enrolled Name Roll an eligible voter of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon wish to have an absentee ballot sent to me at the following address: Mailing Address City County State .'Zip REQUEST MUST BE SIGNED TO BE VALID: ' Signature Mail this request to: Election Committee : PO Box 99 Grand Ronde, OR 97347 1 need a Voter Registration mailed to me: ( ) yes ( ) no
