Local and National Politics [02.26.09]

The Election Commissioners Association of Mississippi joined us at the Silver Star for their annual convention last month. I spoke to the group which included the five commissioners from Neshoba County, Ruby Breazeale, Martha Whittle, Harold Richardson, Heather Kennedy and Yvonne Moore. They are the people charged with conducting elections in Neshoba County. Not only are they in charge of setting up polling places and voting machines but it is their job to make sure that every citizen has equal access to the ballot and see that the provisions of the Voting Rights Act are followed.

The Voting Rights Act is one of the most important pieces of legislation ever enacted by Congress. It outlawed discriminatory voting practices adopted in many states after the Civil War including literacy tests.

The Voting Rights Act is especially relevant to us because it also mandates that the elders in our Tribal communities who speak and read only Choctaw can still vote for the President of the United States or the Governor of Mississippi. 

I applaud our Commissioners for the job they have done and will do protecting the rights of Tribal members to participate in our country’s democratic process and I urge all Tribal Members, old and young and in every community, to do so. Educate yourself on the candidates that are running and where they stand on issues that are important to you and to our Tribe as a whole. Municipal primary elections are on May 5th this year and eligible voters must register 30 days prior to the election. Absentee ballots are available 45 days prior to the election.

There aren’t very many, but if you are a Tribal member who is eligible to vote for Mayor or Alderman please do. If you are unsure if you are eligible call the City Clerk’s office at 601-656-3612.

At this year’s USET Impact Week meeting in Washington DC, there was a great deal of talk about the economic stimulus bill making its way through congress. I left the conference and the leaders of the other Southern and Eastern Tribes to talk directly to lawmakers on Capitol Hill. I took members of our Choctaw delegation to meet with Senator Thad Cochran and Senator Roger Wicker, as well as Representative Gregg Harper, to discuss the bill and how important it is that the legislation helps Tribal governments.

I reminded our representatives that economic development on Indian reservations also benefits surrounding non-Indian communities. The economic stimulus bill, formally known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will direct approximately $2.5 billion to various Indian programs to create jobs and economic opportunity in Indian Country.

I also met with the Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar, following his testimony before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.  Secretary Salazar was on Capitol Hill to discuss the Obama Administration's upcoming agenda and policy goals on Native American issues. I attended that hearing and met with the Committee’s Chairman, Senator Byron Dorgan of North Dakota.

We also set aside some time in DC to devote to the Sovereign Nations Alliance and the Sovereign Nations Alliance Political Action Committee (SNAPAC). Work was done refining and clarifying the bylaws and we voted in a new member. The Seneca Nation of Indians, represented by the Tribe’s President Barry Snyder, will bring a new energy and enthusiasm to our efforts. This Alliance will be an effective tool for us to ensure that the interests of participating Tribes and their members are represented before Congress and other federal policy makers.  Initially, SNAPAC will identify, evaluate and contribute to candidates for President, Senate and the House of Representatives who support positions of importance to the participating Tribes and their members.

Eventually, the Alliance’s mission will expand to include educating public officials on issues, issue advocacy, encouraging increased civic participation by Tribal members and leadership training for a new generation of Native citizens and leaders.

This Sovereign Nations Alliance will create better political communications between Tribes and strengthen alliances between its members and other Indian and non-Indian organizations.

Tennessee Ice Storm [02.26.09]

On January 28, a serious ice storm struck the Tennessee counties of Dyer, Henry, Lake, Obion, Montgomery, Stewart and Weakley. The storm was so severe that Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen asked President Barack Obama to declare those counties federal disaster areas.

Many Tribal members in Henning, Gates, Halls, Dyersburg, Ripley and Newbern were left without power. Tribal government sent aide to be distributed to affected Tribal members and our friends and relatives up there are getting back on track. Our best wishes to them.

Annual Elderly Christmas Lunch [02.26.09]

I always appreciate and enjoy spending time with our Tribe’s elders. That is why I look forward to the Annual Elderly Christmas Lunch. This year’s was the biggest ever. I visited and dined with over 150 of our elders at the Silver Star just before Christmas. Everyone had a great time.

Thank you to Mary John and Wilma Simpson for coordinating the event. Thanks also to Glenda Denson and the Chahta Alla Youth Council for the Christmas songs and Rosalie Steve for her storytelling.

The Mississippi Development Authority [02.26.09]

At the end of January, the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) came to the Reservation. The MDA is our state’s economic development agency. We wanted to show them the diverse businesses we have and explore opportunities for cooperation and partnerships.

Our CEOs and Plant Managers spoke and gave tours of their facilities. Our guests left with a better understanding of how diverse our economy is and got a good sense of our capabilities. There is no doubt that, through our enterprises, both gaming and non-gaming, we are committed to continuing our long tradition of economic development both here and throughout the state.

Thank you to John Hendrix, Gilbert Thompson and everyone else who played a role in making the MDA’s visit so productive.