VOICES OF MINNESOTA ANISHINABE:
Louis Boyd, Leech Lake Anishiabe, Sq--w Lake Minnesota --
If we examine the Treaty of 1854, nowhere does it say the state of
Minnesota, its counties, a reservation business committee, or the tribal
executive committee shall preside over Leech Lake.
When the treaty was signed, it was through family deliberation, by
which the clan chiefs related their feeling into the grand council. This
was our heritage.
When the US Government decided to change our inherent rights of a
democratic process, they gave us the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA)
excuse of a constitution. Had we retained our original form of political
machine, we would have had our original judiciary and legislative body.
Remember this, the Iroquois confederacy was the basis upon which the
earliest foreigners designed their constitution of the US. That was a new
idea to them. Their only reference to the past is their retention of one
being the "king of his castle."
Examining the IRA constitution, it doesn't specify any articles of
human rights, nor much of anything else except blood quantum, elections and
the authority of the Reservation Business Committee (RBC). Its design
allows whomever thought of it first to interpret it to fit their whimsical
attitudes. Much of it began in the 1964 Tupper-Howard era and since then
the Minnesota Ojibwe has been put into intensive care under the biggest
conspiracy to defraud a nation by inflicting its deadly tentacles of
corruption into its people.
Who can change it? I would say that the eighty percent who are
unemployed, who never get much of any benefits can change it. You have the
voting power to support the changes. Loyalists and those afraid of losing
their jobs and homes make up the other twenty percent. Of these, trying to
retain their power in a dying government, they commit acts which do not
personify the actions and desire of the masses.
If we retain this interim government, we could have many
representatives but at least twelve to fourteen, as now. We could specify
in job description forms, the guidelines for being a representative. This
could be the lawmaking body baseed on the needs of the people regarding
checks and balances. No more whimsical negative attitudes toward anyone
seeking benefits, no prejudice against families, communities. More small
businesses in communities.
For example, Highway 46 between Deer River and Northome, my
community, could utilize, manage and maintain an Ojibwe motel and family
restaurant. Millions of dollars go through here annually with fishing,
hunting, trucking and snowmobiling clubs. There would hardly ever be a
lull in business and probably more business than we could handle. There
are a couple of other money makers there as well.
There needs to be a better family healthcare center, a hospice,
treatment and aftercare centers on each reservation seeking aid to dry up
the Ojibwe nation. Most heinous crimes, criminal vehicular homicides, and
suicides are committed under the influence. It's a proven fact.
In order to retain our sovereignty we need to re-educate ourselves
to be fluent in the Ojibwe language. Our language makes up our cultural
identity. We let it die and we lose our landbase, everthing we might
regain in our united efforts.
We are one of the poorest groups in the land of the free. Why?
There are many reasons why. Our right to banish and stricken people from
the tribal rolls could be one alternative revision of a tribal law
practiced by the Ojibwe in traditional times. We must find a way to
prevent theft and eliminate greed and abuse of authority in our leadership
and workplaces.
Anishinabe Ojibwe, I'm putting it to you to work together and put
aside all the suspicions and walls isolating us from other tribal members
on all seven Ojibwe reservations of Minnesota. We all have relatives on
other reservations. We can no longer afford the separation.
I represent the families in my community serving on the local
council as vice chairman, as a representative of my community on the
interim government. I believe in our chairman's leadership. We must again
have a responsible leadership, accountable to those who believe in the
democratic process. We are the majority who want this. We wish to have
this for our children and grandchildren forever.
In its place we have convicted felons -- a derelict government --
representing us for funding purposes. I don't know how you feel about this
but it would seem that funding agencies are particular about whom they
fund. In this case proven crooks are very detrimental to the honesty of
the majority. They must step aside and allow us to heal and restore our
government.
***************
Theresa Johnston, Leech Lake Anishinabe, Cass Lake --
In the days of the Community Action Program a young man, a VISTA worker
found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow at Leech Lake Reservation.
We have elected a chairman for our reservation who will not be
corrupted by greed for money; who will not need a VISTA worker to write his
reports to the people.
I am an elder of the Leech Lake Reservation, very much ashamed of
what happened on our reservation.
I repeat what Si Howard say -- enough is enough.
way way nee sha nah
***************
Leech lake General Assembly called for 3 p.m. on Monday September 2, 1996
at the Veterans Memorial Pow Wow Grounds Building
WE DO HAVE A VOICE!!!!
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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