Mood:  not sure

I think every tribal member of the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe should know what their Tribal Council doesn't tell them.

1. At a recent Tribal Membership meeting, Ronda Metcalf, one of your tribal council members was heard to say, how when her dad died she tried to get a ceremonial hunting tag for his funeral and was refused.  Could it be that she was refused because up till 4  years ago she was Dual enrolled?  You cannot be dual enrolled and get the same treatment as full tribal member. In fact, she didn't leave Upper Skagit rolls until 4 years ago when she was promised a high level job at Sauk-Suiattle and help getting on Tribal Council.  In fact she has only really been around the tribe for 4 years.  And still hasnt learned the Tribe's Constitution and By-laws as viewed at the recent Tribe's General Membership meeting.

2. Recently, I was informed that Cindy Harris, Acting Tribal Chairman,  negotiated a new amount the Tribe will receive for the Tribe's Gaming machines.  The new amount has been reduced by up to 6 dollars per machine per day.  The previous amount was 15-18 dollars per machine and now it is 12 dollars per machine. 

3.  Cindy Harris's husband, Aron Harris, a non indian sitting on our Tribal Trust Corporation board.  He has negotiated purchasing a business in the town of Darrington.  Previous purchase amount was 1.5 million dollars.  Current purchase amount is 3 million dollars.  The Trust Corporation does not have the assets or the money to act on their own and has asked your Tribal Council to co-sign a 33 year loan with the local bank to purchase this business.That puts not only you, but your children and grandchildren in debt for a lot of years.  Why do I bring this up you are asking?  Well, if this is such a viable business, why has it been closing well before "last call" for much of the past year?  Previous to the past year they were open 24 hours a day.  The tribe is to make a decision on co-signing this bank loan today. 

4. The main Attorney, Regina Hovet, has sat in on negotiations with the gaming machines.  She knew that the tribe had previously negotiated a higher amount and let Cindy negotiate it for the reduced amount. Also, Did you all know that your Constitution and By-laws states that yes she was hired to protect the tribal council, but the Constitution and By-laws specifically state she works for the WHOLE tribe as well.  She is supposed to look out for the best interest of ALL members and negotiated away some of our fishing rights to allow a non tribal member to fish for us (which from what I have been informed, is not being shared out with Tribal Members as a whole but is set aside for a handful of Tribal Council members and their family and Elder's Food luncheons which serves more non tribal members then it does tribal members) as well as we have the same individual out hunting for the tribe too.    Regina Hovet made comments about how wrong it was for the tribe to allow non-tribal members to hunt for spouses because it was giving up our Tribal Rights to a non tribal individuals, yet advocates giving up a FTE Position and rights to a non-tribal individual to hunt and fish for just a few people to receive the product of his job. She seems to NOT be looking out for the best interest of the WHOLE tribe but for just a handful of individuals who are on Tribal Council and who are related to those on Tribal Council.  Please note that Richard Wolten is our Natural Resource Director and also sits on Tribal Council.  He hired a non-tribal member to hunt and fish for the tribe and asked for Regina Hovet's assistance in making sure they could do this.  The individual who was hired is Cammie (Edwards) Carrigans' (A tribal Council Member as well) children's husband. 

Mind you ... all of this is my honest and humble opinion and what I have heard, seen and been told. 

That is my post for now and will add more later.  There is so much more you do NOT know about as members.

Like, how the only folks that currently work for your tribe that arent tribal council members or their direct family members, are non indians. Thats a kicker. Even though we have qualified Tribal Members who can do ALL the jobs within the tribal membership.