Issue August 23, 1996
White Earth Tribal Members Protest Recognition of New Government
Members of the White Earth Band of Chippewa want the U.S. Bureau of Indian
Affairs to rescind its recognition of the new tribal government. Some of
the tribal members contend the new interim government -- elected to replace
the tribal chairman convicted on federal corruption charges -- was
installed in violation of the tribal constitution. Eugene "Bugger"
McArthur was sown into office in late June by a state appellate judge,
superceding normal tribal succession procedure. The BIA officially
recognized McArthur as chairman at that time, "This action by the BIA set
aside the constitution of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, denied the due
process to enrollees and has caused White Earth residents to live in fear,"
said Paul "Poncho" Williams at a news conference Thursday morning in front
of the downtown federal court building. McArthur said he and his council
needed to be instated immediately because a state of emergency existed
following the conviction of former tribal chairman, Darrell "Chip" Wadena
and two tribal officials on charges of theft and embezzlement of tribal
funds. The group of about 20 tribal members were in Minneapolis on
Thursday to meet with BIA officials but have so far received no response
from the BIA, said Williams, a former council member. The BIA's Arlington,
Va. office is reviewing an appeal of the election, said Elliott Moffett, a
tribal operations officer for Minnesota. He said he did not know when the
appeal would be completed. "We're asking that they consider it as soon as
possible so that there can be some conclusion to setting up a government,"
he said. Williams standing with Lowell Bellanger, Robert Durant and doyle
Turner, (who lost to McArthur my 14 votes), said they represent the
majority of the band's 2,500 members who fear what the call McArthur's
"intimidation regime." The four men emphasized that they were no Wadena
supporters, "We want our sovereignty back, we want our voice back. That
has been taken away by the federal government," Turner said. McArthur did
not return calls seeking comment. Antoher election for chairman is
scheduled for Sept. 10. McArthur has said he will not run in what he calls
the bogus election. BIA officials have siad they don't know whether they
will recognize the election or a new government. In a statement handed out
by Wadena's attorneys, Wadena said he would not see public office again and
refused comment on the BIA's recognition of McArthur. Wadena remains in
jail awaiting sentencing.
*******
Voice of Violet Harper, WE enrollee of Cass Lake
How does one ask the media, i.e., newspaper and TV reporters, to refrain
from referring to any protest at White Earth as being promulgated by WADENA
SUPPORTERS?
Darrell Wadena has be removed from society; taken out of the
action; is no longer a factor in any action taking place at White Earth.
There are no longer any WADENA SUPPORTERS, as such. Now there are
several overlapping protest factions which include, "Doyle Turner
supporters," "Legal Tribal Government (Pancho Williams and Topny Wadena)
supporters," and "Stop the Bureau of Indian Affairs Invasive Interference
in White Earth Tribal Goverment" supporters.
All of these various faction support the move to remove the "Bogus
McArthur BIA government." So please, call them the "Antibogus McArthur BIA
Government supporters, or "Anti-McArthur" supporters or anything but WADENA
SUPPORTERS.
A new election is scheduled for Septenber 10, 1996 and I am praying
for a clean, protest-free election, in which I will vote for (candidates of
my choice.)
********
August 21 press release from White Earth Reservation Tribal Council:
Five White Earth members are attempting to set up their own private
"election" Sept. 10 at various sites on the reservation.
Using stationary identifying Darrell "Chip" Wadena as White Earth
chairman, these five men have nominated themselves condidates for chairman
and district III Representative.
Ignoring the fact that the election board they themselves recognize
arready certified June 11 White Earth election results, the five persist in
trying to circumvent a legal election and somehow bring about a result that
suits them better.
But the election is over. It happened June 11. The Minnesota
Chippewa Tribe, the Department of Interior and the White Earth Election
Board all have recognized Eugene "Bugger" McArthur and John Buckanaga as
the duly elected holders of those seats. All that remains is an election
to fill vacancies left by the other two former councilors, who like Wadena
have been convicted of numberous felonies in federal court. The Minnesota
Chippewa Tribal Constitution clearly states that convicted felons cannot
hold office, and those vacancies currently are feing filled by interim
appointees so that day-to-day business can be carried out.
The five men who would like to have an "election" Sept. 10 can't
pull it off, but they can contribute to the chaos and confusion on our
reservation. Please be aware that they offiial-looking "election notices"
posted around the reservation are bogus. Participation in a Sept 10
"election" would be pointless, because the results would have no
legitimacy. And no tribal building will be used in such and "election,"
contrary to the "election notices," because the RTC has not authorized
their use.
For further clarification, call Gary Frazer, executive director of
the MCT at (218) 335-8581; or the tribal center at (218) 983-3285, ext. 254
(toll free: 800-726-2764)
We've come through a difficult time. The recent changes are
gratifying for most of our members and understandably painful for others,
but they're necessary changes if we're to move ahead. Let's put these
pointless disruptive activities behind us and get on with the business of
creating a healthy reservation for all our people
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Bernard J. Rock, Sr.
Leech Lake Pillager Band
Spotted Eagle Warrior Society
North Central Minnesota Native American Veterans
Outreach and Resource Center