Ethics always seems to be someone else's problem. Many of the respondents listed more than five infractions and an overwhelming majority of them said that these infractions occurred “all the time”. There is a real disconnect between tribal members who filled out the surveys and those who are asked if they would be interested in taking a course in tribal ethics. Most tribal members are not personally interested in taking a course on ethics but they insist everyone else should take it.
Instead, they say,
"Boy the Housing Board could use it. "
Others member said,
"The Tribal Council needs it for sure. "
Or,
"I know several programs directors that should really attend this training."
The fact is that few of us have studied ethical decision-making.
Everyone knows the difference between right and wrong - right?
Click here to go to discussion on the Spirit Lake Forum about Cecilia Fire Thunder, who was removed from office as president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe because she had said that the clinic on the Pine Ridge Reservation might perform abortions.
Is it right for a tribal council to remove a legally elected chairperson for giving her opinion? What if you really think abortion is wrong and believe it is murder, does that make it all right to remove her from office because she disagrees with you, even if that means disregarding policies and procedures?