Smoke signals., April 15, 1998, Image 1

APRIL 15, 1998
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Sovereign Immunity issue sparks debate
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Above: Sen. Slade Gorton (left)
and Sen. Ben Nighthorse
Campbell (far right) listen to
testimony concerning Senate Bill
1691. Right: A picket sign from
someone in favor of the bill.
1 (if
By Tracy Dugan
A public hearing concerning Senate Bill 1691 was held in Seattle on April
7. The bill, which calls for a waiver of sovereign immunity of Indian Tribes,
is sponsored by Senator Slade Gorton (R-WA). The hearing was conducted
by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, which is chaired by Sen. Ben
Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO). Other members of the committee present were
Sen. Gorton and Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI). Testimony was heard by citi
zens and public figures advocating both sides of this issue, and several hun
dred interested people gathered at the Doubletree Hotel in Seattle to listen and
protest. Many were carrying picket signs, singing the National Anthem, and
shouting slogans. Chairman Campbell reminded the crowd of expected de
corum at Senate hearings.
"We are not in Washington, D.C., but this is still a Senate hearing," he
said. "The First Amendment guarantees your right to protest outside, but not
in here. There will be no clapping, cheering, or waving of signs and ban
ners. This is not a football game."
Each committee member gave his opening remarks for the record, and
Sen. Inouye, a longtime supporter of tribal sovereignty, said that 800 treaties
have been signed by the U.S. government with tribes across the country, and
only 370 were ever ratified. "Of those 370 treaties, every one has been
violated by the federal government. This is not a great record for a great
country," he said.
Tribal members and advocates of tribal sovereignty traveled long distances
to protest Senate Bill 1691 as well as testify before the committee. Ron Allen,
president of the National Congress of American Indians and Chairman of the
continued on page 8
Member Benefit hearing held at General Council meeting
There were three main agenda items covered at
the April General Council meeting this month.
O Bruce Thomas gave the Spirit Mountain De
velopment update, as he does every month,
and focused largely on the other investment op
portunities the corporation is trying to develop on
behalf of the Tribe. They include the retail center
in Salem, as well as another partnership with a pri
vate property owner near that same area on Com
mercial Street in south Salem. SMDC has also
gotten involved with a company that is developing
housing in the Albany area. He said that business
development in the area is causing an increase in
jobs and growth in Benton County, and the Tribe
will invest in the first phase of a housing project
consisting of 48 lots.
Additionally, Thomas said that the Casino expan
sion is almost complete (ahead of schedule) and
that it will be open to the public in May, and that
construction of the 100-room hotel is on schedule.
There were some questions regarding the
Casino's Human Resources department, and the
process used in helping tribal members get jobs.
Camille Mercier said mat tribal member applica
tions are evaluated for skills and work history, and
where members' area of interest lies. If there is
not an immediate opening in the applicant's area
of skill and interest, the Human Resources office
keeps the application of file and resubmits it when
ever a position opens. Additionally, weekly job
postings are mailed to tribal members who have a
job application on file, so they can always be kept
current on what is available. Camille and Sarah
Harvey, both of whom work in developing em
ployment opportunities for tribal members, also
help determine what training applicants may need
in order to qualify for a position, and work with
tribal members to achieve these skills. Both Camille
and Sarah can be reached at the HR office.
OVal Sheker, who works in Risk Management,
talked about some of the key components of
the ODS Health Plan, and who is eligible. For more
information call Val at 879-2221.
O Finally, an open hearing was conducted on
the Supplemental Budget Proposal for 1998,
that would increase the Member Benefit Program
individual distribution from $1,000 to $2,000 for
1998 for every tribal member. Chris Leno, Ex
ecutive Assistant, handles all inquiries and requests
regarding the Member Benefit Program, detailed
Minor's Trust Fund, and how our youth are ben
efitting from these dollars that are being set aside
for them until they reach 21.
During the hearing, members' comments in
cluded opinions both in favor and against the Ben
efit increase. Many in favor of the increase talked
about how the Program allowed for much needed
repairs to their homes, payoffs to debtors and credi
tors, and help with educational expenses. Mem
bers opposed to the increase said that they would
like to see the extra money go into tribal programs
rather than cash to members. Others expressed
concern about how increasing the Member Ben
efit would deplete the funds Tribal Council has set
aside for the program.
OThe next General Council meeting will be
held on May 3, and will be the last meeting
before the summer recess. Nominations for Tribal
Council will be held. Remember, if you are plan
ning to nominate someone, or are interested in run
ning for Tribal Council, you must be present at the
meeting to publicly nominate your candidate, or if
you are nominated, to accept the nomination. Only
enrolled tribal members who will be 18 years of
age by the date of the election may make a nomi
nation or be nominated to run for Tribal Council.
The 1998 Election Board consists of the following
people: Cherie Butler, Dorothy Lawe, Val Sheker,
Ruby Bigoni, Nancy Coleman, and Ellen Fisher.
All eligible voters will be mailed an absentee ballot
this summer.
ODoor Prize drawing winners were: Linda
LaChance, Jerry Noyes, and June Bolden
each won $50. Marce Norwest won $100. Ruby
Bigoni and Jerry George each won two tickets to
attend the Tracy Lawrence concert at the Casino
on April 9.