News for May, 1998

The scotch broom is in full bloom giving the hill sides and valleys a bright yellow splash of color. That final touch of spring along with pastures full of calves, foals and lambs is another sign post of our approaching summer. The weather though has retrograded and is more similar to spring in northern Minnesota than the Pacific Northwest. We enjoyed a few days of warm pleasant temperatures and blue skies; since then the clouds and cool weather have returned. Our buzzards have returned and except for lone hawk perched on the phone lines between here and Salem, the skies belong to the carrion hunters alone. The fishing on the coastal rivers has been reduced to catch and release this year and many purists are not even bothering to wet their lines. The cycle of the salmon remains a mystery, with their long (seven year) routine of spawning, growth and return to their native stream. I would like to believe that we will at least stop the over fishing, before they entirely disappear.

An overflow crowd was present for this month's Tribal meeting. A gaming update was given by Bruce Thomas, the chairman of The Spirit Mountain Development Corporation. We were informed that the expansion of the casino was ahead of schedule and that the new machines and operations would begin moving in early this month. There is much to do yet, but the Grand Opening date of July 16th is still a go. There was also a general discussion concerning employee relations. The main issue was of employee discontent and the inability to resolve work/personnel problems. While there was a portion who believe these are real and overriding. There was majority support and belief in the manner in which the casino is being handled. Mr. Thomas outlined the grievance process, explaining the path can go all the way to tribal court if necessary. He also explained the security and safeguards against internal theft and embezzlement.

The meeting was turned over to Val Sheiker, the chair of the election committee, for nominations to this years Tribal elections. The election committee was introduced and rules for nominations were read. There was a total of fourteen nominations to stand for Tribal council. They were; Ken Greg; Kathryn Harrison (incumbent); Ed Larson (incumbent); Delores Edwards; Richard McKnight; Barbara Lake; Margret Provost (incumbent); Sandra Henny; Robert Haller; Jan Reibach; Eugene LaBonti; Earl Floyd(Butch) LaBonti; Connie Holmes; and Cheryl Kennedy. Jan Reibach and Cheryl Kennedy declined their nominations. The candidates will have until July to submit their campaign statements to the tribal newspaper. A date and time for a voters forum will be announced in The Smoke Signals.

The hiring of an administrator to oversee this election was brought up and the election board will make a decision concerning this soon. The issue of "lost" and uncounted ballots from last year was brought up. We were informed that the issue is still within the legal department. This, of course, is a euphemism for "we've already done everything that we are going to do". Yet another indication of how well the red man has learned the white lessons of politics.

The other business that was brought up and discussed, was primarily that of rumor control. The general council was finally informed that the Tribal council voted themselves a 6% pay increase. They explained that this was as much a cost of living increase as a real pay raise. And gave the standard excuse that they work so hard and besides this is what other tribal councils of other tribes are making. They were at a loss to name any of those tribes.

The Hewlett-Packard company has submitted a letter of intent to Spirit Mountain Development Corporation to sub-contract some of their operations in Eugene, Or. to the development corporation. This was described as an excellent opportunity to both invest some our gaming revenue and in turn realize a diversified profit for the Tribe.

The construction of the new administration building seems to be slowing down some. There are tribal members who are at a loss as to why it should be so large. But it will be a very attractive and I have no doubt that the bureaucracy will grow to fill it. The opening date is still for the weekend of the Pow-Wow.

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