Wotanin Wowapi - Front Page
Vol. 36 - #44 | November 3, 2005
|
|
Over
200 attend Tribal education conference; history of Indian education
explored
By Richard Peterson For the Wotanin -- Learning from past successes and mistakes was the message at this year's Fort Peck Tribal Education conference, attended by about 200 educators from around the region. The 12th annual conference, held on Thursday and Friday in Poplar, featured guest speakers that informed attendees about the place Indian education holds in today's world. The conferences theme was "Looking Back, Looking Ahead - Indian Education for All." "We are shaped by our history," said Montana State University-Bozeman Professor Dr. Walter Flemming. "But it's a very circular kind of thing." Flemming, author of "The Idiot's Guide to Native American History," said Indian students have always been conflicted between their cultural values and the values of non-Indian teachers raised with Western or European values.
For example, before the coming of Western civilization to Indian Country, Indian children were in learning environments that allowed freedom, but were held to some social controls, such as an aunt or grandparent stepping in the help raise the child. Grandparents provided values, strength and traditions to the children. "You see that today, the common theme of successful people is that their grandma or grandpa were around them," said Flemming, a Pawnee tribal member who grew up on several Montana reservation, including Fort Peck. Elders often used stories to enforce life lessons; education often occurred in an informal way, he said. Among the Blackfeet, children were exposed to societies from the age of nine. Beginning with the Mosquito Society, where they learned skills appropriate for their age. Then they would move on to another society to learn adult skills.
"Education was accomplished by exposing kids to the very best teachers in their fields, whether it be tracking animals, bow and arrowhead making, beading or quill working," he said. "If there were a lesson to be learned from those days, it is this: We need to learn from the best." Education is also a right guaranteed to Indian people in treaty rights, he said. According to Article 4 of the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868, the government must provide buildings, supplies and staff to educate Indian children. Article 7 assures that Indian children ages 6-16 be educated. "Treaty right or not, education is a right," he said. His point during his talk: "Our education as Indian people is bought and paid for," he said. "They give us an education in exchange for the millions of acres of land our people sacrificed for. It is very important when we talk to our children that we remind them of that and preserve and honor their memory by taking advantage of that education."
Boarding Schools
Former Wolf Point resident and FPCC instructor Joe McGeshick, now a professor of Native American Studies at MSU-Bozeman, presented a workshop on the history of Indian boarding schools in America. Boarding schools began as an experiment in 1879 when Richard Henry Pratt moved some adult Cheyennes to St. Augustine. Fla., prison barracks to "kill the Indian and save the man." The students' hair was cut; they were given Christian names and their traditional clothing removed in exchange for modern-day clothes. "He found out that after three years, he couldn't do it. He couldn't change them," McGeshick said. "Every single one of them 'took back the blanket' so to speak and went right back to their language and culture." Later, the government figured out that if they wanted to change the Indian culture, they would have to change the children. That's when the first boarding schools began construction, including Carlysle in Pennsylvania, one of the first. Children from the Brule Sioux in South Dakota were the first to land at Carlysle. Gravestone markers at the Pennsylvania school are still standing, but only have the names and dates of death on them. That was intentionally done, McGeshick said, so the public would be unable to see how young the children were when they died. "It stopped the impression that most of the kids who died there were young," he said. Today, most Indian kids are sent to boarding schools for economic reasons. "When you have a large family, that's one less mouth to feed or one less person to cloth," he said.
Health and children
Indian Health Service Unit Director Julie Bemer said some of the biggest health problems facing Indian children at Fort Peck are diabetes, asthma, and rates of depression. Of the 9,000 people served by the local clinics, about 1,000 of them are diabetics. "Last seven years, we're seeing more and more occurrences of kids having Type II diabetes," she said. Type II usually occurs in overweight adults. "It's vital that teachers and parents encourage healthy lifestyles to prevent diabetes," she added. Asthma, as well, is one the rise. Meth use is also up among teens, which leads to the increase in sexual activity and the rise of sexually transmitted diseases. "A person used to report that they had one or two partners," she said. "Now, they're reporting up to 6 partners. And many of them don't know their names," she said. "If you suspect someone is in trouble with drugs, do what you can to get the parents involved and get them help," Bemer said. Native American children have the highest rate of depression among minority children in the country. If not treated, it could become chronic and eventually, difficult to treat, she said. "We need parents involved to really make a difference," Bemer said. The conference also featured presenters Gerry Raining Bird, of Rocky Boy; Dr. Charlie Wisenhunt and Eloise Wisenhunt; tribal member Valerie Boyd, also a teacher; and financial expert Dennis Burdett.
Tribal
member earns Frontier Conference and NAIA honors
.
LEWISTON, Idaho - Fort Peck tribal member Marybeth Tyger Spencer was
named Frontier Conference Player of the Week in volleyball Wednesday,
after hitting 43 kills in Lewis and Clark State College's home games
last weekend. Spencer, a senior outside hitter, was also named the NAIA
Region I Player of the Week, which includes all NAIA conferences in
the Northwest. The Warriors play at Rocky Mountain College Friday and
at Carroll College Saturday, before their conference tournament next
weekend in Butte. Despite an injury that partially sidelined her for
a week, Spencer is 7th in the league in kills and 8th in points. During
her matches against UM-Western and the top-rated Westminster College
last weekend, she tallied up 43 kills, 16 digs, 3 aces and 5 blocks.
She had 27 kills in the game against Westminster. "When she's hot, she's
hot," said her coach Erin Mellinger. "We just keep feeding her the ball
and she's pretty amazing. It's fun to watch her." Spencer has started
all of the games for the Warriors this season and is the team captain.
"She's our go-to person," the coach said. Spencer also leads her team
in kills and is second in digs. Spencer was an all-state selection at
Lewiston (Idaho) High School, where she also played basketball and went
to state in track. She went on to earn a scholarship to play volleyball
at Walla Walla Community College in Washington, before playing her final
year at Lewis and Clark State. While at WWCC, she was named Athlete
of the Week her freshman year and was named to the NWACC All Star team
her sophomore year. She averaged a 3.25 kill percentage. While at Lewiston
High, she was a 3 year letter winner in volleyball and named to the
Idaho second team all-state her junior and senior years; she also received
the Sportsmanship Award her senior year. She is the daughter of Janet
(Youngman) and Jim Spencer, of Lapwai, Idaho. Her aunts in Poplar include
Myrna Charbonneau and Faye Peterson, both of Poplar. She is a special
education major at LCSC. Her grandparents were the late Louis and Mary
(Eagleman) Youngman.
Shields
retires after 30 years at Poplar schools
By
Richard Peterson For the Wotanin --
After three decades working at Poplar Public schools, Clerk Yvonne Shields
was honored by the school after announcing her retirement. Shields,
who began working for Poplar Schools as the superintendent's secretary
on March 8, 1976, was honored at a retirement dinner at the American
Legion Club last week. Shields has worked under five superintendents
during her school career, including Charles Cascadden, Jack Kober, Bert
Corcoran, Doug Sullivan, Kathy Eaton and Ivan Small. Kober, currently
of Helena; Corcoran, of Rocky Boy; Sullivan, of Sidney and Small were
at the dinner.
She was presented with a star quilt. "That was really a pleasant surprise. I didn't know about that at all," Shields said. A musical group. "The Singing Nuns," comprised of former Poplar residents, including Judy Reid and Donna Sullivan, also provided some entertainment at the dinner. Shields was born in Poplar and raised in Wolf Point. She attended boarding schools before graduating from Pine Ridge (S.D.) High School. She received her business training at the former Haskell Institute and later married Caleb Shields. They moved to California and had three children and later moved back to Poplar in the 1970s.
When she took the
clerk's position, she was the only worker in that office, she recalled.
"I was all by myself for a while and that was quite a challenge," she
said. She was responsible for the daily business and financial recording
for the district, the school elections and was always at school board
meetings taking minutes. Now that she's retired, Shields plans on spending
more time volunteering at her church, reading, enjoying music and getting
back to doing art work. "I have a lot of interests but first I just
want to rest," she said. She would also like to spend more time traveling
and enjoying her five grandchildren. Her last day of work was October
31.
The Wotanin Wowapi is a publication of Fort Peck Tribal News, as well of interest to all American Indians. Opinions expressed within are not necessarily those of the Fort Peck Tribal Executive Board (TEB), or Wotanin staff.
These
pages are hosted on NativeWeb and maintained by the Webmaster of Wotanin
Wowapi at ikceya@nemontel.net.
Tribal Chairman John
Morales and Vice-Chairwoman Roxanne Gourneau prepare to take their oaths
of office as they solemnly swear to "defend the Constitution of the
Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, so help
me God."
CLICK
FOR LARGER IMAGE
Morales
reelected as chairman; six new TEB members voted in
By Richard Peterson For the Wotanin
-- Former
Fort Peck Tribal Chairman John Morales, who was removed from office last
year by the Tribal Executive Board after seven months into his job, was
reelected to the position Saturday in the Tribes' biannual election. But
tribal voters also put into office 8 members of the opposing party to
the Tribal Executive Board. The newly-elected officials were sworn into
office Monday. Morales, 38, defeated three-term tribal councilman Tom
Christian, 52, both of Poplar, by a voting margin of 1,130 to 947, according
to official results released by the Tribes on Sunday. Election judges
completed the count by 11 p.m. Saturday night and the results were read
in the Poplar Cultural Center and read live on KPLR radio in Poplar.
Morales was removed from office in June, 2004 after he refused to recognize motions from the council floor. The council also clashed with him over his refusal to sign the multimillion Northern Border Pipeline agreement, constitutional interpretations and for his firing of several employees without due process. The three employees were rehired by the board after Morales was removed.
Roxanne Gourneau, 45, of Wolf Point, who ran as an independent candidate, was reelected to the vice-chairman's position by an 828 to 812 margin over incumbent councilman Eric Bruguier, also of Wolf Point, who ran with the Christian for chairman ticket. Odessa Fourstar, of Poplar, came in third with 246 votes; Ronald Smith, of Wolf Point, came in fourth with 186.
Six new
members joined four incumbents and two former council members, who are
also both ex-Tribal Chairmen, for the 12-seat tribal council. The winners
Saturday included: Roxann Bighorn (845), Floyd Azure (840), Marvin Youpee
(743), Arlyn Headdress (687), A.T. Stafne (679), Leonard Crow Belt (657),
Abe Chopper (642), Thomas Anketell (605), Walter Clark (594), Ray Eder
(580), and Daryl Red Eagle (578). Headdress and Eder are both former tribal
chairmen and both previously served as council members in years past;
Eder served as replacement for the office when Morales was removed by
the council last year. George Ricker was also reelected to the Sgt.-At-Arms
position with 730 votes, followed by Mike Headdress with 669; Matt Azure
came in third with 385 and Frank Red Eagle was in fourth with 307.
Incumbent board members who did not get reelected include: Rick Kirn and
Sharon Red Thunder of Poplar, and Bill Whitehead and Bobby Welch of Wolf
Point. A recount requested by Kirn was conducted Tuesday but no changes
in the final results occurred. Kirn came within the required percentage,
enabling him to call for a recount.
Over
400 hear words of healing, unity
By Bonnie Red Elk Wotanin Editor -- Thanking their families and
voters for their support, the 15 recently elected tribal officials - 3
from the Morales ticket, 8 from the Christian party, and 2 independents
- also said in their acceptance speeches at their swearing-in ceremony
that it was time to heal and work together for the good of the Fort Peck
Tribes. Over 400 family members, friends and supporters - including several
unsuccessful candidates - gathered at the Poplar Culture Center on Monday
morning and witnessed the 45th swearing in ceremony under the current
Tribal Constitution, and witnessed the officials' words calling for a
new day for the Fort Peck Tribes.
Tribal secretary Myrna Greufe, who has taken minutes for the Tribal Executive Board for over 50 years, opened the swearing-in event with prayer. Adding tradition, the Tatanka Oyate Singers and Fort Peck Sioux sang the honor songs at the start and end of the historic event. Tribal Judge Richard Jackson delivered the oath of office to 10 of the 12 council members as the 11th and 12th positions were up for recount with the candidate who came in 13th. (See separate story)
Master of ceremony Caleb Shields called on the victorious council candidates - in order of the number of votes they garnered, - to speak to their people. The Sgt-At-Arms and Vice-Chair and Chair also spoke. It was an emotional time for many of them. Greeting the people in the Dakota language, Roxanne Bighorn, who got 828 votes in her first run for tribal office and the only woman elected to the 12-member council, said she hoped to bring vision to the Tribes in a good way. She will be promoting the native languages, the culture and history, which she said was important to strengthen the identity of tribal members - especially the youth. A Fort Peck Community College computer instructor for many years, Bighorn also said they needed to bridge their differences "because we are all related." She also said, "We want a future for our children, a place they can call home. Give your support to your children in all that they do. They are the future leaders."
Floyd Azure, a Poplar businessman, came in second in the number of votes in his first run for tribal office. A part of the John Morales party, he said the people have spoken and elected those who they feel will move the Fort Peck Tribes forward. "We're here to unite the Tribes, unite the council and take us into the future." Marvin Youpee, Poplar, who filled the unexpired term of the late councilwoman Myrle Peterson in April, 2004, and who ran as an independent candidate, said he considers himself a new councilman, and hopes to be more confident this time around. He feels the Tribes can move on. "It's time to move on in an accountable way." As did Chairman Morales in his later speech, Youpee referred to the use of police during the tumultuous months before Morales was removed from the Tribal chairmanship in June, 2004, saying, "We don't have to worry about the police force being used against us. You're welcome" at the Tribal Office. He also said he welcomed any criticism or praise while he's in office.
Former Tribal Chairman Arlyn Headdress who defeated Morales for the seat in 2001-2003, but who was defeated by Morales in Oct., 2003, said they are all Fort Peck Tribal members and it was time to heal and move on. "I'm pushing the agenda of the Fort Peck Tribes and not my personal agenda.' He also said that he learned a lot from the other candidates during the campaign, as in Kris Fourstar's health care idea. Repeating it more than once, Headdress said they needed to help the local Indian Health Service to provide better health care for all. One of the older council members and elected to his third 2-year term, AT Stafne, Wolf Point, was the only candidate to speak openly about his sadness for the way people conducted themselves during the campaign. "As Indian people, we profess to have honorable traits - respect. I'm saddened by the way we conducted ourselves. I saw elders acting disrespectfully, and I saw traditional people acting disrespectful and contrary to the way we were brought up. I hope this will change." Stafne also said that he will work for everyone in these next 2 years. Leonard Crow Belt, Brockton, one of the four incumbent candidates reelected, reminded everyone that they lived in a beautiful place. He said he was warmed by the hospitality shown him when he went into people's homes during the campaign and when he visited the elders. "I will remember their thoughts and ideas. I represent all the people," he said, adding that anyone could call on him at any time. "My thoughts are for the future of the Fort Peck Tribes."
Reelected to his second 2-year term, Abe Chopper, Riverside, said that everyone's lives are predestined. Twenty-six years ago, he said he walked the streets as an alcoholic, never knowing that there was a plan for him. We live in a world of violence, crime and anger, and these traits should not be among the Assiniboine and Sioux, he said. Nothing is permanent, and in 2 years, the voters will be speaking again on who they to represent the people, Chopper said. He asked the people for patience, and said they needed to unite. He said prayer will take the next administration through, and told the people not to hesitate to call on him. Six years ago, councilman Frank Smith said he served on the council for one year before he was defeated. He ran again and decided that he would treat tribal government as a $10 million business, which he has. He said now that he's reelected, he hopes the elected officials will work for the same thing - the Tribes. A state senator representing Fort Peck Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy at the State Legislature, Smith said he wanted the tribal voters to turn out in force for the state elections.
Thomas "Stoney" Anketell, who worked in the Oil and Gas Department of Fort Peck Agency, said the campaign is over and it's time to unite for the good of the Tribes. "If not, we won't accomplish what I know we can do." As a past councilman and Bureau of Indian Affairs employee, Anketell has worked with the Tribes on several projects, including wind energy, oil and gas development, and an enlarged irrigation project. This reservation is blessed with resources beyond measure, he said, including water, oil and gas and wind. "There's no reason for high unemployment and there's no reason for any of us to live without. We are wealthy and we need to develop our resources in a wise and prudent way," said Anketell, adding that "no harsh or drastic decisions should come from the council room. Everything we do must be for the good of the people."
Serving 24 years as an elected official, councilman Walter Clark said he felt comfortable telling all the people that he loved them. "Election time is over. It's time to go to work." Clark challenged his colleagues on the council to bring in more jobs. Always pushing for land purchase, he said he's working to keep the reservation intact. A former tribal chairman, vice-chairman and councilman, Ray K. Eder brought out that he was the recognized chairman by the Department of Interior, and has always had an open door policy to all during the past 17 months, and will continue that policy as a council member. He said if he didn't have a solution to any problems, one of his colleagues or program would have one. He also said he would uphold the Constitution of the Fort Peck Tribes with all his heart and soul.
Daryl Red Eagle, elected to his first term on the council and a staunch supporter of Morales throughout the years, said he would work hard for the people, and that it was up to the leaders to bring jobs to the people. Appearing very overwhelmed, Red Eagle said he believed in the traditional ways and values of the people. Sgt-At-Arms George Ricker was also overwhelmed by his election, and said that Morales would be easier to handle in office than the past Chairman. Vice-chairwoman Roxanne Gourneau said that the attitude of the leadership would reflect on the people. You won't unite until we show you that we're united, she said. As an independent candidate, Gourneau said she owes no political favors and she only asked for the people's trust. But before she did that, she said she consulted with elders and others, and each time she has done something, she's been given a louder voice. There is much going on outside this reservation that affect us, she noted. "The fight we have is not within ourselves."
Chairman Morales said he would work hard with this council to do the best for the Fort Peck Tribes. The last 2 years was very hard for the common people on the Fort Peck Reservation, he said, and now, he hoped they have a united board, and that people will believe they have a voice in their government. Morales said he still believes he was wrongfully removed from the chairmanship in June, 2004, which he noted was stamped by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and that that issue needed to be taken care of at a General Council by referendum vote. "The people decide the course of our Tribes." Asking all the candidates who ran on his ticket to stand and be acknowledged, Morales said he was taking their ideas and concerns into the chairmanship. Morales also said he believes the Tribes went "way off course," but in time, they will be back on the course that the Tribes need to go. Recalling the events that had to be put into place for safety purposes during his removal hearing, Morales told the people that there should never be metal detectors to pass through to get into the tribal council chambers, and there should never be a paddy wagon in the front of the building with Montana Highway Patrol officers parked outside with shotguns to use against the people. "We need to learn from this and never repeat it again," he said. "I will put everything I have to work together with this council."
