Treaty Rights Forecast
|
Cold°F
Cloudy Outlook
|
|
|
Bill Gates Named Trust Fund Receiver
Promises 'Overhaul' of TAAMS, BIA Data Cleanup 
Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect takes over the trust fund. "Today is a great day for Indians, the PC industry and my pocketbook." he said. (AP)
|
|
By Brian Tokes
Tomorrow Staff Writer
Monday, November 12, 2001 NOVEMBER 11, 2001 - Recognizing her department lacked the requisite management and technical skills for such a large undertaking, Secretary of Interior Gale Norton today named Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates the executive sponsor of the Individual Indian Money (IIM) trust fund. During a ceremony at Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington, Norton announced her momentous decision. Gates will "restore faith to American Indian beneficiaries," and finally provide them with a "long overdue" reporting of their funds in an easy-to-read, smallpox-free Excel spreadsheet, she said. "My actions today," said Norton, "are meant to signal my unequivocal commitment to ensuring the progress of effective trust reform and to advance the Departmental responsibility to provide a historical accounting to IIM beneficiaries." "It's just that someone else is going to do it for us," she finally conceded. Beaming with pride, Gates readily accepted a $750 million contract from Norton to bring trust accounting into the 21st century, something the government has tried to do for years but has failed miserably. Dubbing the effort "Trust Fund XP," the richest man in the world promised his company would fix the broken system by the second quarter of 2002 -- just in time for the busy pow-wow season. More immediately, Gates at the end of this week will release the beta version of a revamped Trust Asset Accounting and Management System (TAAMS) that XP project coordinator Mona "C++ Warrior" Infield said will "blow your socks off." Seamlessly integrated with the Microsoft's innovative Passport technology, Infield said trust beneficiaries will be able to access their funds online and easily spend the money at such wonderful e-commerce sites as AllNative.Com and SmokinJoe.Com -- all without exposing secure trust data to Congress, as the Interior has requested in numerous court motions. "Finally, I am able to implement the system I have long dreamed of," said Infield while snacking on bonbons and talking to the press. "Take that Dom Nessi!" she exclaimed, referring to the Bureau of Indian Affairs' former Chief Information Officer. Already, though, there are questions about the landmark deal. Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said Microsoft's effort is blatantly anti-competitive because it would put money in the pockets of Indians without the consultation of local and state governments. "Improvements in trust reform are vital, but they must be fair to all involved," said Blumenthal. "The ramifications of placing money into trust for Indians absolutely require the government to weigh Indian needs with the concerns of local governments and individuals." "I intend to sue former Assistant Secretary Kevin Gover just for the fun of it," he added. With equal parts contempt, equal parts Cher, Elouise Cobell -- the lead plaintiff in the class action lawsuit against the government -- blasted the deal as yet another waste of taxpayer dollars. Plus, she has a Mac and cannot access the new technology since it requires Microsoft Windows to run. "Here we go again," said Cobell. "I can't believe the government would do this without consulting me. I'm supposed to be in charge of trust reform." Mark Pfeifle, Norton's press secretary, denied rumors that his boss would soon be stepping down to join former Interior spokesperson Stephanie Hanna in Washington state. Norton remains "committed" to trust reform even though she has nothing to do with it, nor could she prove she ever did, he said. "I don't know much about contempt of court," said Pfeifle. "I didn't go to law school. But I do know the Secretary will stay at the Department of Interior until a judge sends her to jail or the President fires her, whichever comes first." |
© 2001-2002 Indian Country Tomorrow
|
