"Houseboats at Keller Ferry and abandoned mills near Omak serve as grim reminders of Colville tribal council’s record of inept spending and intuitive planning. I am not optimistic that council’s approach will maximize use of settlement monies, not during my lifetime, despite observations and opinions of Yvette Joseph et. al. Tribal supported programs have served to justify use of contracted and tribal funds but lasting outcomes are questionable. In fact, a lot of intuitive planning eliminates outcome focus and stresses process. Program staff members scurry around but progress is futile without documented outcomes.

The attitude among some “elected” council is “trust us, you elected us.” rather than, “tell us what you need, you are our client.” “Money,” as Yvette emphasizes, appeals (to these folks.) Some have never held positions with minimum qualifications. Upon election they receive regular paychecks for a job with no distinct compensable factors. Their published reports consist of subjective trivia and are not client focused."

Get the Story:
R.C. Covington: Tribal record doesn’t earn confidence (The Grand Coulee Star 1/2)

Another Letter:
Laurie Kanzleiter Sison: Re: “Many tribal members approve of keeping settlement money for programs” (The Grand Coulee Star 1/2)

Related Stories:
Colville Tribes won't share rest of $193M trust fund settlement (12/12)
Colville Tribes will share another $58M from trust settlement (08/22)
Colville Tribes start sending checks from $193M trust settlement (08/02)
Colville Tribes to vote on $193M trust settlement per capita plan (7/24)
Some Colville leaders support per caps from $193M settlement (06/07)
Colville Tribes pushed to distribute more from $193M settlement (6/4)
Colville Tribes debate uses for $193M trust fund settlement (03/30)
Colville Tribes reach $193M trust management settlement (2/27)