The following is the opinion of Jennifer Mueller, a Quapaw tribal member.

The Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma has clear written resolutions on the process of allegations of misconduct for elected officials. As a tribal member I would like to clear up any misunderstanding or misinformation.

As a sovereign nation we do not have a constitution but a Governing Resolution for the Quapaw Tribe. The Business Committee is our governing body elected by the voting tribal members. The three-member Grievance Committee is also elected by the voting tribal members.

The Grievance Committee investigates grievance and complaints from tribal members of alleged misconduct of the Quapaw Business Committee members and then reports their findings to the Business Committee. Upon a proper showing of evidence, the Grievance Committee requests a special meeting of the Quapaw Indian Council for the purpose of hearing and acting upon grievances/complaints.

At that time the accused have the opportunity to defend and make their case as to their innocence. These are long standing guidelines and tradition of the Quapaw. The Quapaw Indian Council then determines if there have been violations of Tribal rules and regulations pertaining to tribal business. This does include any and all businesses owned by the Quapaw Tribe. If the Council finds wrongdoing at that time while the members are gathered, decisions are made regarding the actions/punishment of those who have been found guilty by a majority vote.

The Grievance Committee is not seeking political gain. Those that try to spin it as such are mistaken. The fact is there were 30-40 grievances submitted by Quapaw Tribal Members to the Grievance Committee. It is their duty as the Grievance Committee to investigate all grievances. The Grievance Committee is required to report their findings.

Now it is time for those accused of misconduct to answer to the Indian Council. To date, John Rader has not given the Tribal Council Members his letter of resignation from the Grievance Committee nor has he recanted his statements to the all Tribal Members.

In my opinion Chairman Berrey has not been as open with the Tribal members as he has been with the media. He continues to deny a special meeting of the Quapaw Indian Council that has been requested by the Grievance Committee. He continues to speak to the media but not Tribal members. He denies resolve for Quapaw Tribal Members, the Grievance Committee, and to the other two business committee members accused of misconduct.

The resolution Section 6(b) states, "...Such Council shall have power, by a majority vote, after giving the accused hearing to clear him of the charges, or to remove him from office, if guilty, and proceed to elect a successor...´ The question on my mind is why has Chairman Berrey been slow to call for the Special Indian council? Is it that he cannot dispute the facts in the Grievance Committee Resolution?

Mr. Berrey is quick to explain to the media of his innocence but slow to use the process provided to him by the Governing Resolution for the Quapaw Tribe. With the special meeting of the Quapaw Indian Council all of the issue´s can be cleared up. The Quapaw Tribal Members are seeking resolve as Mr. Berrey continues to stall.

As a member of the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma I am very saddened by the events that face our Tribe today but know that the Quapaw people have the fortitude to deal with the issues, overcome them, learn from them, and then move towards prosperity.

Relevant Documents:
Grievance Committee Report (March 20, 2010)

Earlier Stories:
Quapaw chairman won't call meeting over gaming report (4/2)
BIA not involved in gaming dispute within Quapaw Tribe (3/31)
BIA asks Quapaw leaders to answer to casino allegations (3/30)
Quapaw chairman dismisses allegations in gaming report (3/29)
Quapaw leaders accused of wrongly profiting from casino (3/23)