Dear Leech Lake Band Members,
Well, we made it through another week. It's been a bittersweet
mixture for me. You know, I find that the more I get out and spend time
with you, the better and stronger I feel. This past Monday, I went to
Minneapolis and met some of our Twin Cities People. I was able to visit a
little with some of my family and friends. Wednesday night I was up in the
Squaw Lake Community meeting with representative from each of the local
Indian councils and other band members, who took the time to meet as One
United People. I don't know what I's do without you! Mi-Gwitch for being
together, and with me, through this.
I know that we may sometimes disagree on how things should be done,
but isn't that how a true democracy should work? Let us continue to repect
each other's opinions as we repect each other and the diversity that the
Creator made in each of us. One thing that we all do agree on, is that we
want an open, honest and accountable govenrment. Let's keep that in the
forefront of our minds as we move forward together. I will always try to
do my best to listen, especially to our Elders. I've had a lot of very
good advice offered to me. Please understand, I have to make many
decisions and I will do what i think is best. I also know that i won't be
able to please everybody.
Remember, I've been in office just a little over two months. This
government has operated as a closed government for twenty or more years.
It's hard to be patient, but wi will prevail in time. It is said that you
can only tryly appreciate something that you've had to work hard for, or
that you've lost. When this is all over, I hope that we will never again
lose, not take for granted, a government OF the People and FOR the People.
We must unite to protect and cherish it.
This last Friday, the four council members put many of the incomes
of our Poeople in jeopardy. They removed the check signing plates bearing
my name and notified the bank and local businesses not to honor any checks
with my signature. As a result, many of our People went home Friday
without being able to cash their checks. If they want to get at me and
hurt me, this is how they do it, by hurting you.... our People. For you
sake, I backed off. Even though our Leech Lake Laws say that my signature,
as your Chairman, should be on every one of our checks, they've chosen to
disregard our laws.
Last week they took steps that endangers our casinos. Out casinos
employ over nine hundred people. It's hard for me to comprehend their
motives. Will they actually undertake such a drastic action just to try to
cast a bad light on me? Will they continue to hurt the Leech Lake People
and our livelihood in order to retain control and win their struggle for
power? Their actions have been referred to as a "Power Struggle" on a
number of occasions, however, I don't view is as such. From my perspective
this has been an effort for reform for our government. Can their
self-interests be more important than yours?
This week they're jeopardizing the Inger Powwow. Again, they are
hurting our People and ignoring the long-standing tradition that this
powwow has come to mean to the Inger Community. I wish that is was within
my power to apologize to Inger, but the apology must come from the
perpetrators themselves. I hope someday they will know shame for what they
are doing.
Until next week....
Respectfully,
Eli O. Hunt, Chairman
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***Note from Vet's Outreach:
For those wishing to send messages of support to the Leech Lake Chairman
and Leech Lake People:
Leech Lake Tribal Council
RR 3 Box 100
Cass Lake, Minnesota 56633
Fax 218-335-8309
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Bernard J. Rock, Sr.
Leech Lake Pillager Band
Spotted Eagle Warrior Society
North Central Minnesota Native American Veterans
Outreach and Resource Center