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.