"Those rumors I've been hearing about the instability of the finances of the Three Affiliated Tribes at New Town, N.D., appear to be true. According an Aug. 23 New Town News story, the tribe is in a state of financial crisis.

It's always hard to write about trouble and problems on reservations because I know from experience the stories will become the basis for stereotypes - not only about the Three Affiliated Tribes, but also about Indian people in general. And the story smoldering is about my home reservation at Fort Berthold, N.D.

Unfortunately, it appears the Three Affiliated Tribes are so far in debt (the projection is $21 million based on a three-year audit reports) that layoffs and wage reductions could result, as tribal organizations fear they won't have enough money to operate. An audit of the tribe's finances indicated that capital outlay costs increased every year for a three-year period, jumping from $1 million in 2002 to more than $13 million in 2004."

Get the Story:
Dorreen Yellow Bird : Tribe must get house in order (The Grand Forks Herald 8/29)

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