Opinion

Clara Caufield: Northern Cheyenne story prompts an unusual threat

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Dana Eaglefeathers, the chairman for the Busby District on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in Montana, inspects debris in the unfinished Busby Community Center. Photo courtesy A Cheyenne Voice

‘Going south … hoping to survive it’
A Cheyenne Voice
By Clara Caufield
www.nsweekly.com

Last week, the grandfather of Indian journalists, Tim Giago, and I had similar experiences – both by readers who took great issue which articles we had earlier written. In Tim’s case, it related to his efforts to develop a Memorial at Wounded Knee; in mine, a story written about an unfinished community center in Busby exposing related financial questions.

Tim was subjected to a long “blog” questioning his ethnic heritage, as if that is necessary qualification to write stories, columns or undertake a philanthropic project. I was threatened because I brought up a person’s name in the press. “If I ever see my name in your newspaper again, things will go south in a hurry,” that person said. (Since that person’s name is not mentioned herein, maybe I won’t have to go all the way south. I don’t know exactly where or what that it, but it does not sound pleasant.)

This was a little nerve wracking to say the least. And, this unnamed person may have a point, at least regarding the latest story I wrote. The quoted figures used were perhaps a little fuzzy, though provided by reputable sources. The contractor in question, not previously available, called me last Friday night to: 1) loudly dispute the amount that he was paid; 2) to justify not finishing the project and 3) to personally “vent” on me, for which he has every right. Money matters related to the project must be looked into a little further. The Busby district is requesting a full financial investigation and accountability from all involved parties, because the money issues are clouded. Such investigation could very well raise more questions than it answers.