Council Dispatch #199     October 6, 2023

 

Tribal Elders

 

  • Stephen Smallsalmon feels blessed to be able to the speak the native language. Stephen went to boarding schools and his elders were still speaking Indian when he got back. He went on the Medicine Tree trip yesterday, which made him happy. Stephen talked about the importance of the language. He was concerned about the traffic speeding by the Medicine Tree area. It is a dangerous place for traffic to be driving so fast and he would like that area looked into. There were a lot of people at the Agnes Vanderburg Camp. He would like to see the Tribal Council members involved in things so they know what the membership is talking about. Stephen refers to the Tribal Council members as chiefs; they are here to help the people. The kids will be going to Missoula on Monday and will be walking; we should always support them. There will be a celebration and pow wow on Monday. There was a celebration in Arlee.  We should support our children and the schools. He asked the council to help out with Pete Beaverhead’s house, which is a special place. Stephen told the council that new toilets are needed at the Vanderburg Camp. Chairman McDonald told Stephen that the Tribal Council will take the safety at the Medicine Tree location under advisement. It is a constraining issue that needs to be improved.

 

  • Phillip Paul mentioned election time is coming up. He noticed the Election Rules are bent. All candidates need to live in their districts. We have tribal members who live off the reservation, and he would like the Election Rules changed to allow nonresident tribal members to vote in Tribal Council elections. Pow wows were taken away from tribal members and a volunteer committee was formed for the purpose of getting rid of the beer gardens. The Pow Wow Committee members were not to profit off the pow wow. Now the rules have changed and people are getting paid. We have lost our cultural ways and everyone wants to get paid now.  He sees in the council minutes that we pay people’s way to go to a rodeo.  Phillip has been an election judge for a long time. The election judges used to receive $25 for the first meeting, mileage, and $50 for sitting all day.  Their compensation was increased this year.  As Indian people, we should take pride in what we have. We should be an example for the young people. We spend a lot of money on our language. We have hunting rights on the reservation.  He sees young people that waste game.  Phillip’s grandfather died for our hunting rights in the Swan, and it angers him when people waste game. All animals are a gift to sustain us and make us strong. Phillip looks at everyone to be proud to be a tribal member and ask what they can do to make things better.

 

  • Shirley Trahan has worked as a Language Specialist at the Salish Pend d’Oreille Culture Committee for the past 22 years. Before that, she taught language at the St. Ignatius Public School. It has been rewarding for her and her family.  They tried for several years to have language classes, but then they would stop.  There is a new system now where they have language classes at the Long House. They go through several books. Some of the students have become teachers. Shirley also serves on the Elder Advisory Board. Tony Incashola, Sr. passed away last year and now the Culture Committee has a young director. The Culture Committee is there for the people and help them to learn the language and culture if they desire to learn. Our language and culture were in danger in the 1970s, but things are better now. They have maps of our territories and those placenames were used in the water compact. The elders encourage everyone to get involved in the culture. Our folks spoke the language every day and she is thankful we never lost it. Shirley went on the Medicine Tree trip yesterday.

 

Tribal Council

 

  • Chairman McDonald reminded the audience that the Tribal Health staff are providing shots and boosters today. There will not be any lunch served today, but breakfast is provided for everyone. Tom is a strong supporter to grant nonresident tribal members the right to vote; they have all the rights and equal access to our resources. We need to cherish each moment we have with our family members and explore all our aboriginal territory. It is important to take back our uses and gathering in all 20 million acres of our aboriginal territory. We should steward it with every management thing we do. It is important to go to the landscape where a generation was removed. It strengthens our health and wellbeing of our family. It is critically important to retain that access.

 

  • The Tribal Council members gave a report on the past quarter’s activities.

 

  • Council recognized individuals who recently retired from CSKT: James Clairmont – Fire 5/1/23; Lloyd Irvine – Court 5/25/23; Bonnie Hewankorn – L&O 7/13/23; James Auld – Maintenance 7/22/23; Mark Padilla – DHRD 9/1/23; Donald Garcia – TERS 9/19/23; Lyle Garcia – TERS 9/19/23; Gary Acevedo – DHRD 9/28/23; and Jolene Gauthier – SKHA 9/28/23.

 

  • Council recognized individuals who are presently working that have 30 years or more service with CSKT: Arthur Soukkala -NRD (1/9/91); Loretta Hoots-NRD (1/22/91); Rocky Deranleau-DHRD (2/4/91); Reuben Mathias-DHRD (3/10/91); Danielle Lefthand-KCC (4/28/91); Thompson Smith-SPCC (7/8/91); Richard Janssen-NRD (7/28/91); Coral Tapia-TERS (8/19/91); Jody Jones-ECS (8/20/91); Sharon Haynes-THD (9/10/91); Maryrose Morigeau-NRD (9/15/91); Vernon Finley-KCC (10/23/91); Mary Charlo-ECS (11/7/91); Thomas Johnson-OTS (11/7/91); Melanie Piedalue-Personnel (11/14/91); Gloria Quiver-THD (12/28/91); Bert Carpentier-SKHA (2/3/92); Ronald Swaney-Fire (2/24/92); Pamela McDonald-Legal (3/1/92); Nicole Trahan-THD (3/22/92); Sharon Matt-THD (4/1/92); Lytle Gillin-SKHA (4/29/92); Rene Wildcat-Probation (5/26/92); Steven Buffalo-THD (6/11/92); Michael Dolson-Council (6/22/92); Erma Haynes-Enrollment (7/13/92); Kelly Pierre-THD (7/21/92); Rodney Couture-Forestry (8/9/92); Claudette Bird-TERS (10/19/92); Emery Wilson-NRD (11/9/92); Todd Couture-Fire (12/4/92); Dana Hewankorn-Admin (1/4/93); Michael Pierre-DHRD (1/9/93); Genevieve Morigeau-THD (3/5/93); Wain Lefthand-Preservation (6/24/93); Vernon Fisher-L&O (7/5/93); Wilhelmina Keenan-NRD (8/18/93); Mildred Woodcock-ECS (8/25/93); Michael Hertz-THD (10/1/93); and Lisa Shourds-Admin (10/28/93).

 

  • Chairman McDonald recognized Ann Miller, Tribal Defenders Office, for receiving the Legacy Award from the Department of Justice.

 

  • Chairman McDonald recognized Elliot Adams for receiving the Professional of the Year from the Health and Human Services District 5.

 

  • Chairman McDonald presented the Tribal Chairman’s Award to Ruth Swaney for her years of service to the Tribes. Ruth has dedicated her entire career to the CSKT.

 

  • Carole Lankford and Martin Charlo gave an update on the plan to build skateparks in the communities and showed a video. The money must be spent by 2026. There will be a skatepark in Arlee, Ronan, and Pablo. They hope to be shovel-ready by spring.  Jeff is providing $100,000 for each skatepark site and will help the Tribes raise money. Terrence Lozeau did a petition and received 1,000 signatures supporting a skatepark. There are liability concerns, but those concerns can be mitigated. There are already skateparks in Polson and St. Ignatius. Chairman McDonald commented there will be an endowment fund set up for maintenance, insurance, and O&M costs. Martin Charlo would like to have the infrastructure in place before proceeding with a skatepark.

 

Tribal Health Department

 

  • Joe Durglo reminded everyone that flu shots are available in the lobby today. Joe gave an update on the Assisted Living Center that the Tribes purchased. The Retreat is located in Polson and overlooks the bay. It is a 13-bed facility. The Tribes took ownership on July 31 and received a license to operate the facility. The Tribes purchased the adjacent lots for possible future expansion for elderly care. The Tribes’ licensure started on July 31 and they began providing services at 6:00 p.m. that date.  The Tribal Health Department operates the facility. There are currently 10 residents, so there are some rooms available. The residents are independent for the most part and are provided services when necessary. They began giving COVID shots at the pharmacy today. The department continues to follow the CDC guidelines and can provide COVID tests.  Chairman McDonald advised the booster shots are not available, but the shingles and pneumonia shots are.

 

Tribal Court

 

Brad Pluff and Dana Comes At Night gave an update on the Healing & Wellness Court. The Healing & Wellness Court was formed to divert people involved in the criminal justice system due to substance abuse disorders. The court plans on supporting people instead of punishing them. They must have cases pending in Tribal Court; they can negotiate to get their case moved to the Healing Court. It is screened by the Coordinator to see if they are ready to participate in the Healing Court, and then their case will be diverted into the Healing Court. A background check will be required to make sure there are no pending matters in other jurisdictions. The team consists of the Healing Court Judge, the Prosecutors Office, Tribal Defenders Office, Law & Order, Probation, a Tribal Council Representative, Tribal Health Department, and a Cultural Liaison. The participants will receive a certification of accomplishment. The plan is to give them gift cards as an incentive.  All participants will be on a treatment plan. The Healing Court plans to have 10 participants. A Case Manager position will be hired to assist Dana. Carole Lankford introduced the participants of Never Alone Recovery. They graduated from the program and help our people.

 

Tribal Education Department

 

  • Julie Cajune gave an update on the Tribal Civics Project. They are making 16 films with interviews on various topics, such as sovereignty, the 1855 Hell Gate Treaty, leadership and governance, land leadership, and economic sovereignty. Julie has been interviewing people in the community and creating films. She played a video. Sharing our stories with the youth is important; they are our future leaders. Julie told a story about the land that the Tribes tried to get back, but it was sold. They tried again, but failed. It is important to hear the stories through film. It brings authenticity and accurate content and voices of our community into the classroom. It will be widely used by teachers. Tribal departments have requested copies for training their staff. There are study guides for each film. There will be some hard copies available and teachers can access it online. All the files will be digital, numbered, and organized. The project will be completed by the end of this year.

 

Recovery Village

 

  • Shay Ashley, Steven Morigeau, and Juanita Reed gave a presentation on support services that the Recovery Village provides. There is a male’s house in Polson and a female’s house in Pablo. The Recovery Village will be modeled under the other two houses and be based on long-term recovery. Sober living is a necessity for individuals coming out of treatment and there is a huge need in the community for this type of program. They appreciate the Tribes’ support. They house families. They are trying to change the fact that people are coming home to the same situation they left in.

 

Tribal Membership

 

  • Carolee Wenderoth discussed her concerns about the service provided by the Tribal Lands Department. She has been away for five years and she still receives numerous phone calls and texts from tribal members about the lack of service they are receiving from that department. Carolee congratulated the Tribal Council on establishing a Youth Council. The White House Tribal Nation Summit is coming up soon and she will let the council know when the date has been set for that. There will be a Youth Council Summit and she would like the CSKT Youth Council to participate.

 

  • Thomas “Sonny” Lozeau commented that the complaints about the Tribal Lands Department are not isolated incidents. His girlfriend’s mother kept trying to sell her house and was told the paperwork was in Portland for two years. It never went to Portland.

 

  • Thomas “Sonny” Lozeau appeared before the Tribal Council on behalf of his son Thomas on July 13, 2023. They were discussing Ordinance 40A (Revised) regarding Public Law 280, Subsection 2(f) regarding violations of the Civil Rights. The Tribal Council reserves the right to conduct an independent investigation to seek redress in a court of competent jurisdiction and review the ordinance of any such alleged offenses. Thomas requested that a letter be sent to the Attorney General requesting an investigation into his case and a copy of the Attorney General’s response. Thomas is in the START Program and does not have access to anything to help defend himself. Sonny needs to figure out how to get enough money to take the needs to his son.

 

  • Thomas “Sonny” Lozeau discussed the last election where his ballot was not counted. The Superintendent was supposed to get back to him, but then he got busy with fire season and has not met with Sonny yet. Article III Section 6 states no person shall be a candidate for Tribal Council unless a member of the CSKT of the Flathead Reservation and resided in the district of his candidacy for one year preceding the election. The Tribal Council shall be the sole judge of its members. The Election Rules are inapplicable because there needs to be a constitutional amendment. Resolution No. 11 relates to the Corporate Charter from 1935. The Tribal Council carried a petition to gather signatures to put it to a vote whether we wanted a Corporate Charter. They succeeded and got a charter in April 1936. There are certain questions that must be asked through a referendum and voted on by the membership. The membership needs to vote on whether or not they want to have an at-large seat and that requires a constitutional amendment. The seat Tom McDonald is sitting in is illegal because it is an amendment to the constitution and requires a constitutional amendment. The tribal members are the only ones who can decide to have an at-large council seat. The Tribes cannot make and enforce those constitutional changes under the guise of Rules. It should have been Shelly Fyant’s seat that went to an at-large seat since her term was expiring at that time. Sonny seeks to stop this election until the validity of the at-large seat is verified. The ordinance is approved by the Superintendent and Secretary. That is the troubling part because the resolutions and ordinances are how people are getting enrolled, too. Within 90 days if the Secretary of Interior does not reject it, it is assumed that the Secretary of the Interior has approved it even though no letter approving it has been sent. Sonny is going to file a mandamus in Federal Court. Len TwoTeeth wants the concerns in writing so the council can respond to them appropriately.

 

  • Ruth Swaney thanked people for getting her to where she is today. She thanked her family and the family that raised her. Ruth is thankful for her mother. Ruth could give council a list of people that should be recognized; some are employees and some are community members. Ruth is honored to have worked with so many great people. She gives credit to those people for teaching, coaching, and mentoring her. She appreciates the opportunity to work on the veteran recognition. Ruth thanked the council for the great work they do. The council used to do the employee recognitions during the quarterly council meeting. Roberta Decker deserves recognition. Her vast knowledge will be hard to replace. Ruth plans on retiring in 2027 and she hopes her mother will still be here then and she hopes someone will come along and fill her shoes when she retires. Ruth was overwhelmed by the appreciation and recognition today.

 

  • Jesse Nenemay had some questions about the 60,000 acres of State land and a school that the Tribes were supposed to get. Chairman McDonald responded that the legislation requires 36,000 acres and part of that could be school trust lands on the reservation. There is not enough of those that meet the mitigation criteria, so there is a portion that will need to be private land that comes into tribal ownership. The process involves the feds. Forest Service, BLM, or other federal property off the reservation needs to be identified, so it is a three-way system. They are identifying off-reservation land that the State might want to take. We will also focus on private land. The Tribes will try to get the private land as quickly as possible. It allows the Tribes to buy back land. Tom was not aware of anything about a school being a part of the agreement.

 

  • Jesse Nenemay talked about years ago, there was a buffalo herd and people were allowed to take one. As tribal people it seems we should look to opening our lands to bison. The Treaty says cattle grazing and horses on open land, but he is not sure how much open land we have left. Jesse would like the land to go back to being native with plants and animals. There were 60 million bison and they were replaced with cattle. He would like to see more time and effort spent on bringing the buffalo back on our lands. Jesse wants to have some long-term solutions for our children and all of our assets, such as the dam, that need to be protected. We need to start promoting our language. There is a need for K-8 schooling. Jesse would like to see us get our own people for the future for the language and our cultural ways. Termination comes up in the school and that is not right. The sustainability of our land is most important to him. We use this land and never take too much and we always give back. We need to be the example for other Indigenous people. The council holds the power for this reservation. Years ago, the Tribal Council was appointed by our elders. Our land is for the children and the animals. He suggested looking at the instream flow from the Upper Flathead River because there is less water coming from the lake. We need to hang on to our assets and pass them down to our children. We have a nice reservation and we should be able to feed our people, house our people, and provide them with clean water and clean air. There is a lot of money going into that canal. Water is important and water is life. Jesse appreciates what the Tribal Council does for the Tribes. Chairman McDonald agreed with Jesse and thanked him for his comments today. Tom would like to start our own subsistence bison herd on the reservation.

 

 

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