Copyright © 2002 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

KETCHIKAN, ALASKA - November 25th, 2002 marked the date for change. A Tribunal was held at the Ted Ferry Civic Center at the request of THE KETCHIKAN INDIAN MOVEMENT, Tribunal protocol and procedures were followed, as well as having a legal court recorder, Judy Zenge putting the Tribunal in legal format. This set very crucial precedents for Ketchikan and its Native Community. Judges felt this was very well organized, and expressed their disappointment at Ketchikan Indian Community’s lack of acknowledgement. The Tribunal Court was closed to the general public, with at least 60 Ketchikan Indian Community members, including a number of elders who attended.

After eight hours of testimony, of which 20 witnesses spoke on the injustices that they suffered at the hands of the current administrators, some witnesses were reduced to tears as they spoke of grievances being mishandled. Carrie James, secretary for Ketchikan Indian Movement commented “ It was apparent to me that their testimonies reflected of the need for this Tribunal. KIC abused their power of sovereignty against it’s own Tribal members, and directly violated KIC’s own constitutional rights, in particular,”

ARTICLE V1

Section 1. Of the Ketchikan Indian Community’s constitution and bylaws The Council shall not restrict or in any way abridge the rights of it’s members guaranteed under the Constitution of the United States but it shall be it’s duty to see that the full constitutional rights thereof are maintained and preserved.

Section 2. All members of the Organization shall be accorded equal right and opportunity to participate and enjoy the resources, property and benefits of this Organization.

The main focus was the mishandling of the recall petitions submitted by Ketchikan Indian Movement, (KIM) had taken steps to recall KIC Tribal Council president Charles White and Tribal Council members Sue Pickrell, Norman Arriola, and Marly Edenso. The Traditional Tribal Judges decision favored Ketchikan Indian Movement.

All Traditional Tribal Judges indicated that KIC’s decision and handling of the recall petitions were a “gross misuse of power”. One of the Tribal Judge’s expressed in his decision that “Ketchikan Indian Movement handled the recall properly, and convincingly, and in observance with the KIC bylaws”. He further felt that the Tribal Council members reacted improperly, and unconventionally. His decision was that the recall petitions be honored and that those Tribal Council members be removed from office, and not be able to campaign for a period of not less than five years”.

It should be mentioned that additional injustices were brought to the attention of the Tribunal, through testimony of the witnesses, those cases along with the additional of Ketchikan Indian Movement are currently under review by the Traditional Tribal Judges and a decision is expected soon.

Elmer Makua a KIM’s representative states that KIC’s stance has been “We’re just going to try and ignore this”. Native sovereignty cannot be ignored, and a Federally Recognized Tribal Court will keep KIC’s council accountable, and that will not be ignored!