November 19, 1996 Update from Minnesota Chippewa Country
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Statement by the Leech Lake General Council opposes lawyers' efforts to
hinder federal investigation:
With new federal subpoenas issued on Leech Lake Reservation General
Funds and Gaming Accounts , the General council formally opposes any
further expenditures of tribal funds to suppress the subpoena process or
use Leech lake resources to pay attorneys for hindering the investigation
of possible wrongdoing at Leech Lake.
The General Council feels that any investigation conducted on Leech
Lake regarding any suspicion of wrongdoing should be welcomed. If the
Leech Lake Tribal Council was governed in an honest and open manner, then
there should be nothing to hide or use attorneys to hinder the process.
It is the consensus of the General Council that enough money has
been spent on attorneys to defend the actions of the Leech Lake reservation
Tribal Council and it is time the Leech Lake Tribal council be held
accountable to the people of the reservation.
"We, the General Council, were very concerned about the amount of
Leech Lake money used to pay for attorneys to respond to wrongdoing by the
convicted Tribal council leadership. Now, with these new subpoenas, how
much is it going to cost the people of Leech Lake? The thousands and
thousands of dollars used by attorneys could be going for Headstart,
elderly nutrition, or our underfunded scholarship programs. If we had
good, and decent leadership on Leech Lake, we would not have to pay for
attorneys. Honest people do not need thousands of dollars to defend
themselves."
LEECH LAKE GENERAL COUNCIL
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On Saturday, November 16 the Leech Lake General Council hosted a fundraser
pancake feed at the Onigum Community Center. The funds raised will be used
for those employees who have not been paid for their services Gerald White,
Linda Johnston, Martin Jennings and Burton Howard. These are the
administrative appointments made by Chairman Eli Hunt
More fund raisers are planned.
A new leader is rising; it is not a man or a woman, but a collective force
of voices joining together in the spirit of compassion and community. Help
us, help ourselves.
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LAND CLAIMS SETTLEMENT
Due to widespread opposition at the public hearings held recently on Leech
Lake and Fond du Lac, Attorneys Schoessler and Thorne have reportedly
cancelled plans to bring their presentation on the land claims settlment to
all six member reservations of the MCT.
Voices of the Anishinaabeg:
Kevin Dupuis of Fond du Lac - "We don't want the damned money. We want our
land back."
Darrel Johnson of Leech Lake, Onigum General Council rep - $20 million is
pretty cheap for our forests."
Marv Manypenny of White Earth - " You talk about conflict of interst, Mr.
Schoessler, you were the lead attorney in the land ripoff called WELSA.
Now you say you're going to come and protect our rights? Gaawiin!"
Franklin "Doc" LaRose - "We never gave the TEC any authorization to settle
our land disputes. We can't let the TEC make any decisions. The people
need to make the decisions."
Dale Hanks of White Earth said any tribal members with hopes of per-capita
payments should be aware that any such payments "Would not be enough to
take your family to McDonalds"
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-- A December 3 deadline given by the NIGC for resolve licensing dispute or
Leech Lake Casinos will be shut down.
-- November 21, set for sentencing of the Wadena Gang from White Earth, 9
a.m at the Federal Courthouse in St. Paul.
-- CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM Meeting set for NOVEMBER 25, at the Shooting Star
Casino in Mahnomen, 7 p.m. in the Wigwam Room. Please bring any materials
you have that could be used for direction in the Constitutional Reform
process (Material will be returned). Agenda Items: introductions, reform
process, Constitutional Advisory Committee, community education.
For information and questions: Call Leah Carpenter at 218-335-7968 or at
1-800-726-2764 on Wednesday November 20th or Friday November 22.
--Cleansing Feast Wednesday, November 20, at the Veterans Memorial Pow Wow
Grounds building at noon. The General Council will hold thier weekly
meeting prior to the feast and the meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m.
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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