On Aug. 10, 16 candidates filed for the chairman position of the Three Affiliated Tribes on the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota. I’ve sat in on tribal council meetings over the years and I’ve reported on past council dealings. I know there are a lot of disgruntled, dismayed and disappointed tribal citizens who are disheartened by the state of tribal politics.
I’m reposting a recent letter to the editor in the New Town News:
To the editor;
As fall approaches, another go-around of winner take all politics raises it’s sinister head on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. For many years now, whatever political that gets elected into office on the reservation, rewards itself with new houses, range units, land trades, business start-ups, business deals, jobs, high salaries, new vehicles, travel, loans, donations, grants, etc, and revenge on other political factions. This type of government only benefits a few at a time. The overall tribal population suffers because of it. The factions also ignore or change tribal law to fit their needs.
Many prospective tribal council candidates have realized this fact in the past and have compaigned on constitutional change and cocde of ethics implementation. However, once they got into power and realized that with change they couldn’t get what they wanted, they changed only their minds about change.
I cannot put all the blame on tribal council members for having this type of government. Our ratified constitution is not a balanced, three branch constitution, and was written for us by the United States. Also, we do not have the courage, strength or conviction to demand a new constitution and ethics code. Even though a revised three branch and a viable code of ethics, with teeth, would force council members, and their factions to live and govern by the rule of the law and for the good of all.
Kyle Baker
Jodi Rave