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Tim Giago: Daily screw ups in tribal governance
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
"On any given day one has only to go to Indianz.com, probably the best Indian online media source, and read the daily screw ups of tribal leadership and governance.
On any Indian reservation in America, and probably in Canada where they are called reserves, the weeks leading up to an election, finds the Native politicians smiling, shaking hands, waving at prospective voters, and just being gracious and hospitable to all. Several weeks after they are elected their entire demeanor changes, and not for the good I might add.
Let me just say here that I am generalizing because to every rule there is an exception. But since I have been the editor of major Indian newspapers for more than 30 years I believe I have heard it all. Letter after letter from tribal members from as far away as California or as near as Nebraska, had driven home to me the discontent so many Indians have with their elected leadership.
Oh, it is without a doubt, the nature of the beast to have political dissent on most Indian reservations. For every ruling party there is a party of discontent. For nearly every elected tribal leader there is a challenger. But that does not explain the ongoing rumble of anger I have heard across the political spectrum of Indian country."
Get the Story:
Tim Giago: Traveling the road to 'cultural suicide'
(The Native American Times 7/17)
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'them' (06/30)
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