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May 3, 2012
CONTACT: Delilah Friedlander
YOUR NUMBER 406.880.0270
YOUR EMAIL Delilah.friedlander@umconnect.umt.edu
Membership concerns for the confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes $150 million settlement
Early in April 2012, the secretary of Interior Ken Salazar Announced a $1 billion settlement that included 41 tribes. Of the 41 tribes receiving a portion of this settlement are the Confederated Salish and Kootenai (CSKT). The tribes will be receiving a reported $150 million within the next 4-6 weeks. There have been some concerns with distribution of these funds from the membership and the official first of many meetings occurred on April 30th 2012 in Elmo. Coincidently 41 people signed into the meeting, to share a small meal and big concerns. Although there was a representative attendance of Kootenai people meeting attendees included people from the Pend d’Oreille tribe as well as mixed blood members that are of both Salish and Kootenai lineage.
The meeting was facilitated by the group Wista’la Wanmu’is Ktunxa (7th generation) a newer non-profit kootenai group that has interests in language revitalization, cultural preservation, and is proactive in fair treatment of tribal elders regardless of their affiliation to CSKT. One of the more recent public out reach events included hosting a pow-wow comedy jam in Missoula to raise funds for a Kerr Dam memorial.
The meeting took place at the Elmo Hall a common meeting place in Elmo. There was a microphone at the head of a circle of tables that people were invited to use to voice their opinions. Many unique and diverse ideas came out from members such as constructing a Native based treatment facility, per-capita distributions, and building a truck stop in the Elmo area. There was also a suggestion to trade with other energy resourceful tribes based on the nation-to-nation status optioned by treaty rights. Many people that spoke offered different investment ideas but in all of the speeches there were at least 4 common overwhelming concerns.
The first being that the tribal council already has preconceived ideas and promises that the money will be distributed through various departments such as the Department of Human resources (DHRD), and Tribal Health which membership fears will leave individuals in the similarly current state of despair. “I am tired of those people getting steak and them throwing us the bones.” One member stated during his speech. “Everyone in our membership kootenai or salish should be living good, not rich but good”. Another speaker stated in his support of distributing a per-capita payment to the membership.
The second common theme of concern in the majority of the speeches was elder treatment. People and elders have stated that elders are having a difficult time getting adequate assistance from the tribe’s human resource department (DHRD). Common concern’s that relate to elders throughout the reservation are that they cannot get firewood to last through the winter and the meals they are supposed to get distributed on certain days have turned intermittent. One elder has on numerous occasions asked the council to help maintain her access to a water well she is forced to share with a local rancher that leaves it inaccessible. On a different case a full blood elder recently suffered from E.coli she believes to have infected her from the water that she pays for. “It is disgraceful that we have to even depend on this money to ask for decent elder assistance.” One leader stated. Another elder expressed her concern for the paper work they are required to fill out to receive assistance. “My friend down the way cannot afford the gas to drive to headquarters in Pablo to fill out his paper work, why even try?” she said during an interview prior to the meeting.
The third commonality was that people wanted to see a per-capita dispersment to the membership population and overall apposed the settlement to get any absorption into the “general fund”. “There would be no tribe if it weren’t for the membership!” exclaimed one female cultural leader. Although this settlement comes from mis management of tribal trust funds, trust lands and other non-monetary trust resources, there was an all over consciences that this settlement would not have been reached if it weren’t for the judicially addressed Cobell case. Cobell V Salazar included a 15 year dispute that ended in a settlement of $3.4 billion as a result of Individual Indian monies (IIM) and Individual Indian land owners. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes did not specifically sign on to the Cobell case and as a tribe will not receive the $3.4 billion disbursement that is currently under numerous appeals. The individuals that may have accepted the terms of settlement may receive $1,500.00 if the case concludes all the appeals. The people at the meeting feel that this will be the only chance to see a lot of good changes on the reservation and are coming together to voice their concerns.
The fourth key interest in many of the speeches given that day was if council members decide to ignore the requests and concerns of its membership in relation to this settlement then above all they want to see transparency and accountability in how the money is distributed. “Too many times have we seen money distributed to certain departments and poof disappear.” Stated one elder. The attendees at this meeting ultimately want the tribes to open their books when dealing with this settlement because it is of the belief that membership makes the tribe and there is fear that the members will be put to the side.
Many good ideas were presented in this meeting and we are looking forward to hearing more ideas from the membership as well. We are facilitating the next meeting pertaining to the trust settlement this Sunday April 6th 3p.m. at the Elmo Hall in Elmo Montana. The meeting is open to the public and we invite members from all three of the tribes to attend so that we can help each other in pursuit of empowerment.
Members of Wista’la Wanmu’is Ktunxa (7th generation)
This is all very good………I do also feel that the settlement should be paid to the individual members………The elders will not live long enough to receive payments on this at different intervals. People like me are tired of living on $640.00 amounts a month. Let the council try to do this. They do not truly represent us…. they only care about themselves and the big shot things they supposedly do for us. We do not need anymore casinos losing our money……We do not need anymore resorts we cannot even afford to stay at……..we do not need any more dining places we cannot afford to eat at. There is a meeting today in Arlee that I can’t even afford to attend as my truck is broke down and I can’t afford that either. Maybe the council should look around at the reality of the people they are supposed to be representing. I will make it to their meeting somehow Monday night…….They need to give us some answers. THE TRUTH for a change.
I completely agree with Ms Barbara on her views of the settlement. This is like they say the last horah for ALL members of the tribe and so Council members give the tribal members the full share…listen to the people!! Let all the members use the money for their needs, weather it is medical, mental, or emotional needs. Thank your attention to this message.
I am an adamant proponant of 100% payout of this settlement. It is a known fact that the Council has already approved the FY2013 budget, beginning Oct 1.
Several factions are gathering eligible voters signatures for a referendum to payout the monies retained by the Tribes, without affecting the Sept 12 payout. All members should consider recalling those council persons who voted against 100% payout. These people do not have our best interests in mind. Look at the outrageous salaries they are getting, and they can give themselves a raise anytime they please. Who’s to stop them. WE ARE, by referendum. An ex-
financial offico who was sent to Job Corps by James Steele, Jr. has been appointed our new Economic Director without competition. This person should have resigned ages ago. We, the people, need to know what each council person is paid; along w/all tribal employees, including attorneys and consultants. We have a right to know. Mr. Durlo is getting out of control, especially w/those who want 100% payout. All tribal enrollees have the same ihalienable rights that are guaranteed to all of us under the U.S. Constitution; e.g. freedom of speech, press, religion, etc. He has asked one petition gather who wanted to use a Sr. Center to obtain a permit, and pay for the space. Since when have we had these controls over our Sr. Centers? We voted these people in and we can take them out through a democratic process. We’ve had town meetings in all 8 districts, w/the majority wanting 100% payout, yet Council is turning a jaundiced eye to us. DO WE WANT THESE PEOPLE REPRESENTING US? I say hell no! Let’s put people in there who can clean up shop, reduce the payroll, and set up a board who controls when the council can obtain a raise, and how much. If you feel the way I do, please email me. Shay Hoy!
hyYA GERALDINE You are so right on, I think all the moneys should be accounted for and all labor contracts and disbursments should be scrutnized . I dont know if the people can find any body honest enough to do this but we as a people have got to start caring our lack a daisy attude is not going to get the job done We are willing to take the little they dish out and be happy for the moment they (the council) and there inner working beurocratic following . We as members of the tribe should be considerd first if we dont get a raise they shouldent either I hope the people take your words in consideration shay hoy
Hyya I to am a member of the tribe and I to would like to see a full pay out of our money ,it is our money is it not?8 If money is put in trust for you than that means that it is your money and when that money is taken out of trust that means that it should come to you . Why would we want to have that very same money go back into a trust so the ( the council ) could invest said moneys for us and lose it again like the trusties did the first time. I can not believe that the leaders of this tribe are taking our money right befor our eyes so they can build motels and casinos for us that show no returns Has anyone recieved a royalitys payment yet .? We have spent Millions yes Millions on land that was stolen from us in the first place .That money could have been spent on college educations for our children in our own schools were they could have been taught one on one instead of thrown in a barrel to learn things that make no sense . The leaders of this tribe need to let this money go were it is suppose to go . To the people it belongs to them let them have it.
I DONT NO IF IM SUPPOSED TO KEEP ON TALKING BUT I WILL .IM TYPING A LITTLE LARGER FOR THE OLDER PEOPLE OF WITCH I AM ONE . SO THEY CAN SEE.. IF YOU ARE TO OLD AND FEEBLE TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR OWN MONEY THEN GO AHEAD AND LET THE CONCIL SPEND IT FOR YOU . IF YOU CAN GO DOWN TOWN AND BUY THAT NICE EASY CHAIR YOUV BEEN WANTING THEN YOU BETTER DO IT . DONT BE FOOLED WITH THIS PACIFIER OF 10,000.00 DOLLARS .IF YOU ARE 60 OR OLDER THIS MONEY WILL LAST YOU UNTIL YOU ARE DONE WITH THIS LIFE .I KNOW YOU ARE OLD ENOUGH TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR OWN MONEY. DONT MAKE THE MISTAKE OF THINKING THIS IS THE TRIBES MONEY THIS IS YOUR MONEY PUT IN TRUST FOR YOU ASK FOR YOUR MONEY IT IS YOURS.