Hello Everyone,
Well, here we are and in a few hours everyone will know who succeeded in their bid for a seat on Tribal Council.
This has been, as I've said before, one of the most unusual elections I have ever seen. I can only hope that more members decided to vote this year and that the number of eligible voters continues to increase.
Good Luck to all the candidates.
Dakota
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
It's Not Over Yet
Fellow Tribal Members
Although the election isn’t over yet, I want to say “Thank you” to those folks who have supported me. Some people have asked some really tough questions and I’m glad I’ve had the opportunity to answer them. Even after the election is over, and even if I don’t succeed, I will still answer your questions and hopefully be able to help.
This doesn’t mean I’m not still trying, I am. I’ve received a lot of very positive comments and commitments of support and I really do appreciate it. I won’t even try to name everyone, but you know who you are.
This election season has been very interesting and the quietest I have ever seen. I’m not sure why, but I truly hope that whether people voted for me or not, or will vote for me or not, that they vote. I’m going to keep saying this until people tell me to stop “Your voice is your vote”, so please use that voice and make it loud and clear!
I’m hoping the days of the “popularity contest” are coming to a close and the membership will select people who are strong enough to step up, and stand up for what is right and will be willing to make the hard decisions. More than that, I am hopeful that the Council will be more open and truthful to the membership, whether the truth will impact people in a positive or negative way; the membership deserves honest answers and should get them.
We’ve had some ups and downs, but we are still here; we are still earning revenue from Spirit Mountain even though it’s not as much as before. If we are careful and look carefully at the budget for 2011, we should be able to stay on the up side. But, if we don’t and things keep going as they are, we will continue to be in a situation where we have to readjust the budget by mid-year and hope there’s enough to go around.
At any rate, as always, I would appreciate your support and please, make your voice heard. It’s easy to say “Thank you” after everything is over, but harder to do before the results are known.
Thank you everyone.
Although the election isn’t over yet, I want to say “Thank you” to those folks who have supported me. Some people have asked some really tough questions and I’m glad I’ve had the opportunity to answer them. Even after the election is over, and even if I don’t succeed, I will still answer your questions and hopefully be able to help.
This doesn’t mean I’m not still trying, I am. I’ve received a lot of very positive comments and commitments of support and I really do appreciate it. I won’t even try to name everyone, but you know who you are.
This election season has been very interesting and the quietest I have ever seen. I’m not sure why, but I truly hope that whether people voted for me or not, or will vote for me or not, that they vote. I’m going to keep saying this until people tell me to stop “Your voice is your vote”, so please use that voice and make it loud and clear!
I’m hoping the days of the “popularity contest” are coming to a close and the membership will select people who are strong enough to step up, and stand up for what is right and will be willing to make the hard decisions. More than that, I am hopeful that the Council will be more open and truthful to the membership, whether the truth will impact people in a positive or negative way; the membership deserves honest answers and should get them.
We’ve had some ups and downs, but we are still here; we are still earning revenue from Spirit Mountain even though it’s not as much as before. If we are careful and look carefully at the budget for 2011, we should be able to stay on the up side. But, if we don’t and things keep going as they are, we will continue to be in a situation where we have to readjust the budget by mid-year and hope there’s enough to go around.
At any rate, as always, I would appreciate your support and please, make your voice heard. It’s easy to say “Thank you” after everything is over, but harder to do before the results are known.
Thank you everyone.
Monday, September 6, 2010
The Last Week Before the Election
Hello Everyone,
Well, here we are less than a week from the election and if someone asked me today who I thought would be elected, I’d have to say “I don’t have a clue”. Even if I am not elected, I am hopeful that people did listen to what I had to say and will accept it as being both honest and straightforward.
Our election process has always been interesting to watch and even more so now. It is true that I didn’t send out mailings and that I haven’t written as much as I should. That is my fault and I take full responsibility for it. All I can do is apologize and do better in the future, whether I’m elected or not.
One thing happened that does bother me, not that it is a big issue, but it still just doesn’t sit right. I found out that about a week ago, all the campaign signs that had been put up at the junction of Highway 18 and 22 were removed as were those that were put up near the pow wow grounds. At first we thought ODOT had removed them, but as time went on, I think it is safe to say that this is most likely not the case.
This is not the first time that candidates signs has been removed, but it seemed a bit strange since some of them had been up for 2 months, mine among them. I do not and will not say that I think any particular person or any candidates’ supporters are responsible because I don’t know who took them or why. What I do know is that one of the candidates has completed a police report on the issue; what will come of it is anyone’s guess.
I continue to ask for your support in this election and as I’ve said before, I make no promises I can’t keep, except one: “I will never lie to you or tell you ‘something’ just to give you an answer to a question. If you ask me a question I can answer, I will and if I can’t I will tell you I can’t and why I can’t.
I don’t know how to play games with people or work the system; I never have and I never will. Maybe that will cost me the election, I don’t know. What I do know is what I stand for and I can only hope that is enough.
If honest, straightforward answers and a willingness to make the hard decisions and say “no” when necessary are what you are looking for, then please consider voting for me. If you want to understand the financial side of the decision making process, ask me and I will do my best to give you the best information I can. If I don’t have the answer, I know who to ask to get the information, and I will.
Thank you and remember: regardless of who you decide to vote for, the important thing is that you vote; not just in this election, but in every election.
Well, here we are less than a week from the election and if someone asked me today who I thought would be elected, I’d have to say “I don’t have a clue”. Even if I am not elected, I am hopeful that people did listen to what I had to say and will accept it as being both honest and straightforward.
Our election process has always been interesting to watch and even more so now. It is true that I didn’t send out mailings and that I haven’t written as much as I should. That is my fault and I take full responsibility for it. All I can do is apologize and do better in the future, whether I’m elected or not.
One thing happened that does bother me, not that it is a big issue, but it still just doesn’t sit right. I found out that about a week ago, all the campaign signs that had been put up at the junction of Highway 18 and 22 were removed as were those that were put up near the pow wow grounds. At first we thought ODOT had removed them, but as time went on, I think it is safe to say that this is most likely not the case.
This is not the first time that candidates signs has been removed, but it seemed a bit strange since some of them had been up for 2 months, mine among them. I do not and will not say that I think any particular person or any candidates’ supporters are responsible because I don’t know who took them or why. What I do know is that one of the candidates has completed a police report on the issue; what will come of it is anyone’s guess.
I continue to ask for your support in this election and as I’ve said before, I make no promises I can’t keep, except one: “I will never lie to you or tell you ‘something’ just to give you an answer to a question. If you ask me a question I can answer, I will and if I can’t I will tell you I can’t and why I can’t.
I don’t know how to play games with people or work the system; I never have and I never will. Maybe that will cost me the election, I don’t know. What I do know is what I stand for and I can only hope that is enough.
If honest, straightforward answers and a willingness to make the hard decisions and say “no” when necessary are what you are looking for, then please consider voting for me. If you want to understand the financial side of the decision making process, ask me and I will do my best to give you the best information I can. If I don’t have the answer, I know who to ask to get the information, and I will.
Thank you and remember: regardless of who you decide to vote for, the important thing is that you vote; not just in this election, but in every election.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Ethics and Accountability/Responsibility
Hello Everyone,
I have personally had concerns with these issues for years, for one reason or another. In fact I've been asked questions about these issues, so I thought I should put my thoughts about these issues in writing so people would know where I stand.
In my opinion in addition to "Ethics", "Accountability" and "Responsibility" are equally important. To me, "Accountability" means that each person must be "personally responsible" for their actions both personally and professionally and must be willing to accept the consequences if they are not.
This, in my opinion, is where "Ethics" comes in. We have an Ethics Ordinance that was reenacted several years ago. Unfortunately, there are no specific consequences should a person be found guilty of an Ethics complaint, other than what the Judge hearing the case decides is appropriate.
I understand this concept, but I also feel the Tribal Council should be able to police itself on a day-to-day basis and if that means including language in the Ethics Ordinance, or perhaps the Tribal Council Ordinance, as to what the consequences are for "breaching confidentiality' for example, then so be it.
Not long ago, in a Tribal Council meeting, when a Council member missed three (3) meetings and had to be removed, I stated that in addition to the Tribal Council Ordinance, Ethics Ordinance and Tribal Council Operating Procedures that the Tribal Council also needed a "leave" policy; the response was that the Tribal Council was talking about it. I haven't heard anything about it since then.
What, you might ask, does this have to do with Ethics and Accountability? In my opinion the "Ethical" and "Responsible" thing to do would have been to immediately begin writing a Leave Policy for Tribal Council outlining the expectations of Council members taking time off, so the possibility of this occurring again would be reduced.
However, if I were to be fortunate enough to be elected, and the Policy still hadn't been written, I would ask that this become a priority. I'm not suggesting a Tribal Council member write the Policy, unless they wish to, but they can direct other staff to do so.
I hope I have been able to give you a good idea of my opinions about these issues. If you have any questions, please email, call or comment.
I have personally had concerns with these issues for years, for one reason or another. In fact I've been asked questions about these issues, so I thought I should put my thoughts about these issues in writing so people would know where I stand.
In my opinion in addition to "Ethics", "Accountability" and "Responsibility" are equally important. To me, "Accountability" means that each person must be "personally responsible" for their actions both personally and professionally and must be willing to accept the consequences if they are not.
This, in my opinion, is where "Ethics" comes in. We have an Ethics Ordinance that was reenacted several years ago. Unfortunately, there are no specific consequences should a person be found guilty of an Ethics complaint, other than what the Judge hearing the case decides is appropriate.
I understand this concept, but I also feel the Tribal Council should be able to police itself on a day-to-day basis and if that means including language in the Ethics Ordinance, or perhaps the Tribal Council Ordinance, as to what the consequences are for "breaching confidentiality' for example, then so be it.
Not long ago, in a Tribal Council meeting, when a Council member missed three (3) meetings and had to be removed, I stated that in addition to the Tribal Council Ordinance, Ethics Ordinance and Tribal Council Operating Procedures that the Tribal Council also needed a "leave" policy; the response was that the Tribal Council was talking about it. I haven't heard anything about it since then.
What, you might ask, does this have to do with Ethics and Accountability? In my opinion the "Ethical" and "Responsible" thing to do would have been to immediately begin writing a Leave Policy for Tribal Council outlining the expectations of Council members taking time off, so the possibility of this occurring again would be reduced.
However, if I were to be fortunate enough to be elected, and the Policy still hadn't been written, I would ask that this become a priority. I'm not suggesting a Tribal Council member write the Policy, unless they wish to, but they can direct other staff to do so.
I hope I have been able to give you a good idea of my opinions about these issues. If you have any questions, please email, call or comment.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Enrollment Concerns
There have been many concerns expressed about Enrollment for several years. Not long ago, the Tribal Council had an opportunity to help over 300 people and chose not to until they could figure out language that would allow them to have only one (1) Constitutional Election.
My personal opinion is that we should move forward now with a Constitutional Election to remove the "Parent on the Roll at time of birth" and continue to work on language for the remaining issues. If this amendment were approved, we could help over 300 people enroll who should be Tribal Members but are not simply because their parent was not on the roll when they were born.
Although the issues with enrollment do not affect me or my immediate family, this is one area that needs to be resolved and one that I would work toward resolving.
My personal opinion is that we should move forward now with a Constitutional Election to remove the "Parent on the Roll at time of birth" and continue to work on language for the remaining issues. If this amendment were approved, we could help over 300 people enroll who should be Tribal Members but are not simply because their parent was not on the roll when they were born.
I am concerned that including the removal of the parent on the roll at time of birth with other issues, people not want to vote in favor of one of the other issues and the amendment would fail.
Many people were very angry and upset when the Tribal Council chose to not move forward, and I don't blame them; I would be angry too if it were happening to me.Although the issues with enrollment do not affect me or my immediate family, this is one area that needs to be resolved and one that I would work toward resolving.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Off and Running
Hello Everyone,
Welcome to my blog. I have my own views on various issues, but I would really like to know what is important to you as Tribal Members.
One of my issues is communication. In other words, how can the Tribe communicate more effectively with the membership on issues that are of importance to everyone.
Please feel free to ask questions and I will answer you.
Thank you for visiting and I hope to hear from you soon.
Dakota
Welcome to my blog. I have my own views on various issues, but I would really like to know what is important to you as Tribal Members.
One of my issues is communication. In other words, how can the Tribe communicate more effectively with the membership on issues that are of importance to everyone.
Please feel free to ask questions and I will answer you.
Thank you for visiting and I hope to hear from you soon.
Dakota
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