Northern Cheyenne activists Pauline High Wolf and her son, Elijah Wallowing, are leading a protest of the tribal government on the Montana reservation. Photo courtesy A Cheyenne Voice
Revolution brews in Cheyenne Country
$6 million has been deposited into the Tribal Permanent Fund
By Clara Caufield As reported elsewhere in this issue, unrest with Tribal Government festers in Cheyenne country. After dramatic confrontation with the Tribal Council on July 20, a group of vocal protesters, running the gamut from elders to young people, have set up camp outside the Northern Cheyenne Tribal offices in Lame Deer, Mont. – their aim to abolish the current Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) system of government. They boldly suggest replacing it with a traditional form of government. The activists, now in week two of a peaceful assembly, vow to remain in force until change is accomplished. They are supported by the traditional Cheyenne Chiefs and military societies, not currently part of the formal IRA government system, but a formidable force in the community. The IRA government consists of ten elected Tribal Council members, elected President and Vice-President and appointed Secretary and Treasurer. Since a 1996 constitutional revision, the IRA government has become increasingly centralized, the Council now supplanting a large number of community based boards and committees. In effect, they run the Reservation; one hand scratching the other’s back, even trammeling the Tribal President whom they can easily remove.
A sign on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in Montana. Photo from NRC
I am glad to see activism on the Reservation. In order for change to occur, extreme positions have to be taken to get people’s attention. While the precise solutions need to be refined, one thing is crystal clear. Many Cheyenne people are deeply dissatisfied and concerned about the current system of tribal government, feeling that it primarily serves the interests of elected officials rather than the tribal membership. Protesters raise many issues, their dramatic activism sparked as tribal members learned the details of a recent settlement agreement between the Tribe and St. Labre Mission, Ashland, Mont. made in December, 2014. In that settlement, the Tribe agreed to a “gag” order about settlement details, specifically the press. Neither have they informed the tribal membership about this long awaited settlement. While the Council has meekly been “gagged”, recently activists obtained the settlement details and I gladly leaked them. The settlement was reached on behalf of the Cheyenne people and that we are entitled to know about it. Another simple fact is that, many Cheyenne feel we were sold out by the Council. “We suffered,” they say, “but only the Council and Administration is benefiting.”
A sign at St. Labre Indian School in Ashland, Montana. Photo from St. Labre Indian School
According to Tracy Robinson, Council Sergeant of Arms, the initial settlement payment of $6 million has been deposited into the Tribal Permanent Fund account, not accessible for a per capita payment which activists request. Interest funds from that fund support tribal council and administration expenses, very controversial in the community. Currently, the Tribal Council receives full-time compensation, about $48,000 per year, top wage on the reservation. Many tribal members question their attendance and performance. It costs the Tribe roughly $1 million per year to support the Tribal Council and administration, half paid by federal funds (indirect cost) and half by tribal revenues. This, by a tribal government which usually cannot assist its impoverished tribal members with funds for medical appointments, death bed vigils in far off hospitals, food or electrical bills, major considerations in a community where 80 percent unemployment is the norm. If the activists wish to return to a traditional form of government, the solution, in my view is very simple. Take the money out of politics.
The flag of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. Photo from Facebook
In traditional times, only a successful man could be a Chief, in that he would incur personal responsibility for the people, from his own resources assisting the needy: widows, orphans, elderly, the sick and infirm. Chiefs did not get paid and wound up in poor circumstances themselves, financially poor but rich in the people’s regard. Thus, many declined, not wanting to assume such responsibility. Then, there was no financial benefit to being a traditional leader. “The Chiefs put themselves last and the people first,” is a common saying. Under the present form of tribal government, we seem to have turned that traditional notion on its head. Now, our elected leaders stand to gain great personal benefit including good salaries, travel to Washington D.C., placing family members in good jobs, generous vacation and other paid benefits. And, often they do not even have to report to work, accountable to no one. From the outside looking in, it seems that the Tribal Council reaps and pillages the tribal system for personal financial gain.
Amanda White Shirt and Stella Killsontop check out a food donation at the activists’ camp in Lame Deer on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in Montana. Photo courtesy A Cheyenne Voice
Before the 1996 constitutional revision it was different. Tribal Council members earned the princely sum of $75.00 for a monthly marathon meeting and the full-time tribal officials received a very modest rate of pay. Then, there was little financial benefit for public service, yet many good people sought political office. So, in my opinion, the solution is simple. Let’s be traditional. Let’s get back to the notion of leadership without financial gain. To accomplish that, we must take the money out of politics. Let’s stop paying the Tribal Council on a full-time basis, replacing that with a modest stipend for attending meetings, but only if they show up. Of course, it is necessary to have some full-time officials, such as the tribal president, a secretary and treasurer. But, it is equally necessary to pay them a reasonable amount, based upon what the tribal revenue can realistically sustain. By taking the money and other juicy benefits away from elected officials, we will see who has the best interests of the Cheyenne people in mind and at heart. We would still have a tribal council, but no longer would they enrich themselves at our expense. (Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennevoice@gmail.com) Copyright permission Native Sun News
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