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From: Wendy Moore-Graham
Date: 14 Jan 2004
Time: 22:49:27 -0500
Remote Name: 66.157.252.136
Yes, we all have opinions, but where does the truth lie? There are always three sides to every scenario: My Side - Your Side - The Truth. Somewhere amid these cyberlines lies the truth. We are dealing with alot of misinformation. Quite frankly very few people have even read the Lumbee Constitution and know their rights of representation. You are given the same right of representation through your designation of a tribal district. Secondly, you can voice your opinion in writing, via email or in person. Those who live outside "The Territory", should contact their tribal councilmember and request the formation of tribal advisory councils to help deal with issues of every tribal district. A council member has no way of knowing the issues facing their people, due to the geographical dynamics of tribal districts, if there are no voices being heard. Advisory councils are the ears and eyes for good council representatives who really care about the people they purport to represent. Tribal governance is no different than any other body-politic. The problem is many have not yet grasped the concept of sovereignty and dealing with issues as a government rather than a board of directors. Their responsibility and accountability rise to a higher level of expectation, whether or not they are capable of handling the job. Now that Federal Recognition is seen as viable, the pot now deepens and the plot now thickens. When money is at issue, people and needs sometimes take a back seat. Not to say that any councilmember gets paid, but they now are playing with millions of dollars, rather than the a few pennies from BBQ and Chicken plate sales. By the way, I wonder how our NAHASDA monies are being used to buy properties from convicted felons? I'm not placing any accusations at the present Housing Director, but I sure would like to know how he voted as a council member for the land aquisition. I'm sure lots of Lumbees would like to know. If felons are taboo to tribal elections, then surely they are taboo to tribal compensation. There is much amiss when it comes to tribal governance, but just as Rome wasn't created in a day; Lumbee Governance will have to go through lots of birthing pains. I just pray this isn't going to be a breech birth!