Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 1999)
6 Smoke Signals O Lottie Child KLA-HOW'-YA My name is Lottie Child. First of all, I would like to thank the tribal mem bers that came to me and asked me to run for Tribal Council and to Leslie McKnight for nominating me. That is a great honor in it self. Thank you. I am descended from the JeffersQuenel fami lies. Who have been members of the Con federated Tribes for many generations. So I guess this makes me related to just about all of you. I am the youngest of eleven children. I grew up in the Benton County area, I lived in Eastern Oregon for about fourteen years. I worked five years for the Bureau of Land Management as a map special ist. About three years ago my husband and I gave up our jobs and moved back to Western Oregon to care for my mother, who for medical reasons, could not live in Eastern Oregon. In January of this year she passed on to the Spirit World. She was ninety years old and a tribal Elder. Thanks to the Great Spirit, we kept our word that she would never go to a nursing home, that was very important to her. I went to work for the people on Aug. 5, 1996 in Patient Registration in the medical clinic. Since then I have helped many of our people in a variety of ways. I am one of many of our tribal people who is taking classes through O.S.U. on Native American studies with emphasis on our people. My husband is Lakotah Cherokee. We are both very deeply involved in our culture and tradition. Our children and grandchil dren are also learning their culture and heritage. We do many Native crafts, beading, carving, etc. and Na tive life ways. If I am elected I will strive to address my people's issues so our voices will be heard, I am very proud of how far our people have come. Tribal Council has done many great things for us all, but there are many issues that need to be addressed. Some of our people are still homeless, hungry, sick and jobless. Who need all of our help. We need to stand together and let our voices be heard. We must continue to build on our future, but at the same time we "as Indian People" must not forget our rich cultural heritage and always remember that our past is a very large and important part of that future. If I am elected to serve on the Council, I will do my best to encourage this thinking and with the cooperation of each and every member of the Council strive to be of and for my fellow tribal members. Thanks to the Smoke Signals for allowing my word to be heard. I greatly appreciate your vote. Thank you. Joann Mercier : , It is important to me that all tribal members, re gardless of where they live or who they are, be treated fairly and with equal benefits and opportunities. I have worked for the Tribe for over 13 years, and soon after I began my employment I knew I would one day seek election for Tribal Council, that day has finally come. My experience in tribal issues: a. Social Service field for 10 years dealing with Domestic Vio lence, Child Abuse, and Indian Child Welfare. b. Casino security for 3-12 years (2-12 as a supervi sor); graduated from Security Academy in 1995. c. Legal Private Investigator, graduated from Investi gation Academy in 1998. d. Pow-wow Secretary for 10 years. e. Tribal Archeology Committee for 2 years. f. Four years of teaching Tribal History. I have skills that can help me serve as an effective Council member: . .. a. Ability to communicate under stressful situations. b. Willingness to listen and seek to understand. c. Clear understanding of committee work. d. Experience and training in successful teamwork. e. Genuine concern for the future, and sound lead ership of the Tribe. f. Responsible and accountable. " g. Professional. As a result of my experience and skills, I feel I can represent the Tribe in a reputable, respectable, and ethical manner. My personal motto has always been: Be ready at any moment to give up all that you are, for all that you can be. I am ready to make that commitment to you., to be all I can be as a represen tative of Tribal Council. Shawn Hostler lus uk-san, (good day) My name is Shawn Hostler. My family is Bean-Menard. Over nine years as a employee, committee or board member, as a volunteer and as a very active community member, I have always tried to not just com plain but attempt to be part of the solution. When I think of con cerns I have as a tribal member what comes up the most is how Tribal Council does business. So my platform is Tribal Council accountability. As I understand the constitution. We have the legal powers, which is our Tribal Court. Then we f :;::iviZ-;':".2..5K&J' - - ( m V 1.,,. , . -. . have the Tribal Council, which is the Executive and Legislative powers. We could look at it as the Su preme Court then the CongressHouse wrapped up in the Presidency. This could work if the some of the balances, like General Council meetings, the Wednesday night business meetings, and if we par ticipate in using our General Council powers could work like I understood them to be intended to work. General Council meetings are for us to have a pub lic forum where we can hear and ask about concerns regarding tribal business. Now, if you are there to ask questions you're a complainer, the ball game is on, and other reasons to move to close the meeting. A few years ago the Tribal Council began what they call Tribal Council work teams. This seemed innocent enough in the beginning. This is where much of the discussion on voting takes place but it is called informal, so minutes are not kept of what is discussed. I have written up this petition, because this pro cess needed to start somewhere. This will have to be done by the people, for the people. I am praying that all tribal members will take this chance to make a positive change in OUR government, as well as utilize our constitutional rights to make this much needed change, Let's sit the standard for responsive government. Here are the main points of the proposed Tribal Council Accountability Ordinance: Reports will be presented at the monthly General Council meetings and during the summer at the Wednesday evening business meetings. The reports will cover individual activities and fi nancial expenditures for the previous month. An Oversight Commission will be formed. Their duties will be to investigate tribal member complaints about Tribal Council. The Oversight Commission will be authorized to access any information and or resources necessary to make a determination on the validity of each com plaint. Will make a recommendation back to General Coun cil as to what action will best resolve the complaint. The Oversight Commission will consist of five ELECTED positions. Only General Council members shall be eligible for these positions. Preference should be given to but not limited to: past Tribal Council members, those with a back ground in tribal government or experience in related fields, or those able to demonstrate an extensive knowl edge of tribal government operations and possessing the skills needed to fulfill this position. Those seeking Commission positions shall not be running for or actively seeking to be on Tribal Council nor be on Council. Ordinances, Resolutions and polices currently in place that govern appropriate conduct shall be bind ing on the Commissioners. The positions shall be staggered. Thereafter, all positions shall have full 3-year terms. No person serving on the Oversight Commission shall serve two consecutive terms, and there shall be at least one full term between every two terms served on the Oversight Commission. If you would like to know more about this petition or would like a petition to get signatures, you can contact me at, P.O. Box 158, Grand Ronde, OR 97347.
