Three Crow Creek officials and a Fort Pierre contractor face up to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to federal charges related to a bribery and retaliation case involving a $383,000 home-building contract, according to an AP article published on KELOLAND.com yesterday.
The contractor, Archie Baumann of First Dakota Enterprises in Fort Pierre, pleaded guilty to one count of bribery for trying to influence the three officials, the AP article said. Vice Chairman Randy Shields and Treasurer Norman Thompson Sr. pleaded guilty to a count of bribery. And Secretary Thomas Thompson Sr. pleaded guilty to a count of retaliation against Tribal Chairman Brandon Sazue, who assisted law enforcement in gathering information for the case.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Native Americans Encouraged to Participate in Census
National and tribal leaders and the U.S. Census Bureau are putting extra effort into encouraging Native Americans to participate in the 2010 Census count.
“The goal of the 2010 Census is to paint a Portrait of America and each and every Native person who is counted makes a huge difference in ensuring the face of Indian Country is truly a part of this portrait,” said Derek Valdo, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Southwest Area vice-president, at a news conference last Thursday during a 2010 Census Portrait of America Road Tour stop in Albuquerque.
Valdo was among several national and local tribal leaders and U.S. Census officials touting the importance of participating in the count.
Valdo, along with Amadeo Shije, U.S. Census Tribal Partnership Coordinator of the Denver Region, encouraged tribes to participate as the data is used extensively for the distribution of funds to state, tribal and local governments. It forms the basis for more than $1 billion that flows into Indian Country.
NCAI has joined with the National Call to Action with the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, which is made up of the Asian American Justice Center, the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund, the NAACP and other national organizations.
NCAI has created the Indian Country Counts campaign, in partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau, to ensure an accurate count of all Native people.
The Indian Country Counts strategy includes a Web site with a downloadable tool kit for tribes, news about the Census, contact information for federal workers, Census job postings, updates from the Census Bureau, a discussion board and stories about the Census across Indian Country.
“The goal of the 2010 Census is to paint a Portrait of America and each and every Native person who is counted makes a huge difference in ensuring the face of Indian Country is truly a part of this portrait,” said Derek Valdo, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Southwest Area vice-president, at a news conference last Thursday during a 2010 Census Portrait of America Road Tour stop in Albuquerque.
Valdo was among several national and local tribal leaders and U.S. Census officials touting the importance of participating in the count.
Valdo, along with Amadeo Shije, U.S. Census Tribal Partnership Coordinator of the Denver Region, encouraged tribes to participate as the data is used extensively for the distribution of funds to state, tribal and local governments. It forms the basis for more than $1 billion that flows into Indian Country.
NCAI has joined with the National Call to Action with the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, which is made up of the Asian American Justice Center, the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund, the NAACP and other national organizations.
NCAI has created the Indian Country Counts campaign, in partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau, to ensure an accurate count of all Native people.
The Indian Country Counts strategy includes a Web site with a downloadable tool kit for tribes, news about the Census, contact information for federal workers, Census job postings, updates from the Census Bureau, a discussion board and stories about the Census across Indian Country.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Facebook Group Provides a Forum for Disgruntled IHS Patients
Angel White Eyes never imagined her six-hour wait at an Indian Health Service facility would be of interest to so many. But her Facebook group about the experience – “I just spent 6 hours at IHS just for them to give me Tylenol” – has drawn more than 1,900 members since she started it in January.The group’s name is a summary of what happened on her trip to the clinic. To date 1,946 people from throughout Indian Country have signed onto the group, most of them to share their own frustrations with the IHS.
To read the full story, click here.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Report Alleges Quapaw Officials Misused Funds
A report issued by the Quapaw Tribe’s Grievance Committee alleges that tribal officials misused funds, as reported by Tulsa World yesterday.
The report, based on complaints from several tribal members, alleges that three Business Committee officers — Chairman John Berrey, Vice Chairman Willis Matthews Jr. and Treasurer George McWatters Jr. — had profited from their involvement in the Downstream Development Authority, the entity that manages the tribe’s casino, Downstream Casino Resort.
Specifically, it alleges that the three were paid excessive salaries, benefits and bonuses through their positions with the Development Authority; misused Development Authority credit cards; and used funds for expenses like comp services, a $225,000 donation to the University of Arkansas Razorback Foundation and skybox leases at the University of Arkansas without showing proof that these expenses promoted the casino.
Berrey, who is up for re-election this year, says the allegations are false.
The report, based on complaints from several tribal members, alleges that three Business Committee officers — Chairman John Berrey, Vice Chairman Willis Matthews Jr. and Treasurer George McWatters Jr. — had profited from their involvement in the Downstream Development Authority, the entity that manages the tribe’s casino, Downstream Casino Resort.
Specifically, it alleges that the three were paid excessive salaries, benefits and bonuses through their positions with the Development Authority; misused Development Authority credit cards; and used funds for expenses like comp services, a $225,000 donation to the University of Arkansas Razorback Foundation and skybox leases at the University of Arkansas without showing proof that these expenses promoted the casino.
Berrey, who is up for re-election this year, says the allegations are false.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Seneca President Calls on Obama to Veto PACT Act
Seneca Nation President Barry E. Snyder Sr. sent a letter last week to President Obama calling for his veto of the PACT (Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking) Act, legislation that would prohibit the mailing of tobacco products, according to a press release issued by the tribe.
The act could mean the loss of some 3,000 western New York jobs tied directly and indirectly to the Native American tobacco economy, the release said.
The tribe estimates enforcement of the act could result in up to a 65 percent loss in import/export revenue, which it uses to fund health and education programs.
In the letter, sent the day after the U.S. House approved the legislation, Snyder said, "If signed into law, the PACT Act will seriously impact the Seneca Nation and the Seneca people. We will be subject to racial profiling for the simple act of mailing a package. We will lose thousands of jobs and important health care support. And most damaging, we will be set back in our journey to self-determination by the very treaty partner that pledged to support and protect us.”
Snyder reminded Obama that the bill conflicts with his promise to improve relationships between the White House and Native Americans. He said the legislation was developed without “meaningful consultations” with tribes.
The letter also noted that the National Congress of American Indians and United South & Eastern Tribes both oppose the PACT Act.
The act could mean the loss of some 3,000 western New York jobs tied directly and indirectly to the Native American tobacco economy, the release said.
The tribe estimates enforcement of the act could result in up to a 65 percent loss in import/export revenue, which it uses to fund health and education programs.
In the letter, sent the day after the U.S. House approved the legislation, Snyder said, "If signed into law, the PACT Act will seriously impact the Seneca Nation and the Seneca people. We will be subject to racial profiling for the simple act of mailing a package. We will lose thousands of jobs and important health care support. And most damaging, we will be set back in our journey to self-determination by the very treaty partner that pledged to support and protect us.”
Snyder reminded Obama that the bill conflicts with his promise to improve relationships between the White House and Native Americans. He said the legislation was developed without “meaningful consultations” with tribes.
The letter also noted that the National Congress of American Indians and United South & Eastern Tribes both oppose the PACT Act.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Indian Country Police Forces Still Severely Understaffed
Indian reservation police forces remain understaffed, with some operating at levels as low as 50 percent, officials told members of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee at a hearing yesterday.
As reported by the Argus Leader today, approximately 3,000 police officers serve all of Indian Country, citing the Bureau of Indian Affairs as the source. Even Washington, D.C., has more officers on its force.
Reasons for the staff shortages are many. One of the biggest ones, though, is poor pay. It has made recruiting and retaining difficult. Some departments are so under-funded that they don’t have the money to hire new staff or to provide the training for certification.
As reported by the Argus Leader today, approximately 3,000 police officers serve all of Indian Country, citing the Bureau of Indian Affairs as the source. Even Washington, D.C., has more officers on its force.
Reasons for the staff shortages are many. One of the biggest ones, though, is poor pay. It has made recruiting and retaining difficult. Some departments are so under-funded that they don’t have the money to hire new staff or to provide the training for certification.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
HUD Audit of Fort Belknap Finds Accounting Deficiencies
An audit conducted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General found that the Fort Belknap Indian Community is not properly administering housing funds, ABCMontana.com reported this morning.
Among the issues the audit revealed: failing to collect $1 million in rent from 2006 to 2008; spending $183,000 on non-accepted renovation work; and being reimbursed for $32,000 in unallowable costs, including $2,600 used for burial expenses for nine tribal members.
Though the tribe disputes the allegations, it has agreed to fix some of the accounting deficiencies.
Among the issues the audit revealed: failing to collect $1 million in rent from 2006 to 2008; spending $183,000 on non-accepted renovation work; and being reimbursed for $32,000 in unallowable costs, including $2,600 used for burial expenses for nine tribal members.
Though the tribe disputes the allegations, it has agreed to fix some of the accounting deficiencies.
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