Potawatomi Life

When the tribal government moved its operation to its present site, one of the first tribal council meetings involved a motion to impeach the tribal chairman for breaking a tribal court order. This corruption was done in 1994 and that tribal council meeting was very interesting indeed.

Back then the tribal members had a real representative looking out for their interests. William McCullough was the tribal treasurer for years and guided this community with a budget process that had serious growing pains.

The point of todays snippet of tribal corruption is there was a time I would have protected the Chief when he made huge mistakes.

Of course, he would say, ” I don’t remember and do not have to listen to you.”

I remember when the tribal council listened to me when the treasurer, a wise person to me, was ready to make a motion to impeach our dearly beloved tyrant chief.

The Chief upset the treasurer of the tribal council for letting inmates out of jail before serving their complete time for the tribal court. These inmates happened to be the Chief’s family close family members.

The treasurer recommended a motion of impeachment and I defended the Chief and offered the excuse that we may have all taken advantage for close family members.

The Cheif got a pass that day.

Of courtse he does not remember this or any of my government and administration work others claim as their own programs today.

Ah, my Cheif whom I was ready to defend to the end.

What kind of idiot was I?

He can not and will not recognize my resume for other jobs and that ruins many jobs opportunities for me.

The losing battle continues…

Living in an environment where wealth and status are protected at any costs, has finally reached a pinnacle for me. Tribal members were long a concern of mine as I became involved with tribal politics in 1990.

The life has not been very nice but living under the umbrellas of a father who has murdered is not easy for anyone. Life as a tribal member is an emotional ride for many that have been in my shoes.

Yesterday I searched for help, possibly the last time, from the one of the offices that could possibly help tribal members whose sovereign rights are being handed over to tribal corporations that have no interest in tribal member success.

This story is not new and many depictions are found throughout history where tribal leaders relinquish tribal authority for short-lived power and control.

The loser in this scenario is always the tribal member, with intent on many occasions by its own leadership.

Tribal court is not a tool for tribal member problems but a problem creator as centuries of governmental abuse continue.

Civil rights are ignored and disjoined tribal members look for social relief to provide for themselves.

The demeaning of the tribal member’s character continues as we continue to lose our rights to tribal corporations composed of largely non-tribal and non-Indian people.

Oppressive tribal corporations are nothing but a transfer of wealth intended for tribal members.

Abuse, manipulation and oppressions continue at the hands of non-tribal members posing as tribal government employees.

Fighting a losing battle is terrifying but onward I go…