We have just returned from our journey to Mount Adams for the Camp Chaparral "Healing of Veterans." Because of the refusal of Leech Lake District Representative Jack Seeyle to discuss our traveling needs, and the standoff that has been ongoing here on the Leech Lake Reservation by the sitting council (a council made up of convicted felons, practicing alcoholics and a cocaine abuser) against the newly elected chairman Eli Hunt, we were able to take only one veteran and spouse to the program at the Yakama Nation. We learned much from our week's participation in the program and the traditional ceremonies held for the healing of Native American Veterans and the cross-cultural understanding by the VA employees, counselors, and service reps who are called upon to work with the Indian Vets throughout the country.

As we left Cass Lake on August 16th, the Cass Lake Band and Teals Super Market were refusing to cash the paychecks of Leech Lake employees whose checks had been signed by Chairman Hunt. Upon the federal felony convictions of the former chairman Alfred Pemberton and sec/treas Danial Brown, the federal judge told these two that they could no longer do any 'business/money' dealings for the tribe. At that time, Jack Seeyle and Alfred Fairbanks (who totes a sidearm to work and flashes it around) were given TEMPORARY authorization to sign checks for the Leech Lake Band. The BIA and the TEC (Tribal Executive Committee of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe) have both recognized Eli Hunt as the duly elected chairman of the Leech Lake Band. The constitution of the MCT clearly states that the duly elected chairman HAS THE AUTHORITY to sign checks for the Leech Lake Band, but the Cass Lake Bank is refusing to recognize our Chairman until they receive 'authorization/permission' from the convicted felons, practicing alcoholics and cocaine abuser.

The day we left we also learned that the sitting council of convicted felons, practicing alcoholics and cocaine abuser (also still 'recognized' by the BIA and TEC) had called in the National Indian Gaming Commission to tell them that Chairman Hunt had dismissed 'their' licensed Gaming Officials and tried to get the casinos at Leech Lake shut down. A desparate effort to get the Leech Lake people to side with them through economic extortion.

We also learned that the council had met in secret AGAIN and had passed another (illegal) resolution. This one to close the Twin Cities Leech Lake Office in retaliation for the support shown by the Twin Cities enrollees for Chairman Hunt.

We learned too, that the BIA has turned over petitions calling for the removal of council members to the council to 'verify the signatures.' (In reality, for the council to retaliate against petition signers.)

Throughout the power struggle here at Leech Lake, Chairman Eli Hunt has proven himself to be a true Anishinaabe Leader, looking out for the best interests of the band members. He continues to model true leadership and appropriate adult behavior to the sitting council. They continue to get their 'advice' from non-indian lawyers.

On Friday, August 23, the Leech Lake Band of Chippewa took matters into their own hands to solve the ongoing power struggle between the tribe's councilors and the chairman by forming a General Council consisting of the chairmen from the 12 local Indian councils that represent the communities of the Leech Lake Reservation, including the Twin Cities. The General Council voted to assume the legislative authority over the band and designated the existing five-man Tribal Council as the body to carry out approved legislation. The Tribal Council will continue to carry out all duties pertaining to money and business but will no longer be allowed to pass any legislation governing the tribe.

The General Council and tribal members took action because the tribal constitution makes the Tribal Council accountable only to itself. Under the constitution, council members can only be removed by a two-thirds vote of the rest of the council -- and they will never act to remove council members because they are protecting each other, with the blessing and cooperation of the BIA and the TEC.

Hear the voices of the Leech Lake People:

Guy Greene of the Sugar Point Council: "Everybody comes to the meetings and says what they know about government. To hell with the government. Listen to the Leech Lake people. Go up to the tribal office and throw those hood out. If the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Tribal Executive Committee don't recognize you, to hell with them. The've never helped us. The BIA has been kicking the people in the face for years."

Martin Jennings, General Council member: "As the people, we are poor. We don't have the lawyers the councilmen do or their ear of the TEC either. We have to take some drastic steps, but they have to be legal steps. We don't want the 'feds' coming in." (Coucil members high priced non-indian lawyers are being paid with tribal funds.)

Hartley White, Chairman of the General Council: "You mean to tell me that four people are going to whip us to death. There should be 4,000 of us against them. I am doing this for my grandchildren's future. I don't care about it for me. I have a pension. I'LL live. The tribe is like a truck that is spinning its tires because there is no weight in the pickup bed. You people are the weight we need. You people need to support this council."

Dee Fairbanks, Tribal Press Secretary (reguarding attempts by the council to have the casinos shut down): "These four guys (Tribal Council Members) are trying to shoot us in the foot. As a sovereign nation, you don't want to involve the feds in your affairs. Our guys (newly appointed gaming administrators) were issued temporary licenses. But the licensing procedure was sabotaged by the band's gaming personnel director and gaming compliance officer, who are both related to Tribal Council members and who sat on the paperwork to instigate an investigation by federal authorities. You can kind of see how this was set up."

So the struggle continues at here in Minnesota Chippewa Country. The non-indian bank president at the Cass Lake Bank, has joined the high priced non-indian lawyers to interpret the tribal constitution and make the calls for the people of Leech Lake to the tune of "Turkeys in the Straw" in step with the BIA and the TEC. (Did you see that coyote just run by laughing?)

Please note that the Vets' Outreach will be taking a gift to the Tribal Council: a bag of apples from the Yakama Nation.

We will keep you posted.

Bernard J. Rock, Sr.
Leech Lake Pillager Band
Spotted Eagle Warrior Society

North Central Minnesota Native American
Veterans Outreach and Resource Center

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