Letter to the Editor

August 12, 2019

Dear Editor,

On Saturday at the Tribal meeting there were several references to the lawsuit, now in our Tribal Court, over how the last Tribal election was conducted.

The chair did admit that there was a Tribal Court case over the past election but did not explain or elaborate. Then a question was asked whether the council had a quorum to conduct the meeting in light of that lawsuit. The quick answer was they were sworn in!

This whole situation comes about because of the makeup of the Election Board. The law governing our election was changed from 3 or 5 members to only “5” members! The Council had 10 months to fill those positions before the election but chose to make excuses instead, then conducting the election with the inadequate and illegal 3-member board!

The Caucus was conducted, challenges ruled upon and the election held with that illegal board. When that board was questioned, they relied on Roberts Rules of Order for their answer. Sorry, Roberts may have been Cherokee or Navaho but certainly was not St. Regis Mohawk! Some of us proudly follow our Laws and Traditions.

When the papers were filed in the Court a request was made to delay the swearing in to hear the case but a mistake in the court issuing of papers caused a week’s delay and the swearing in occurred!

The Community Governance Committee is proceeding in their efforts to protect your rights, they could use your support.

Thank You.

Sincerely,

Phil Tarbell