Making life better in disadvantaged communities - our thoughts on everything - from Spirit Lake Consulting, Inc.
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Why have an on-line forum on ethical issues on Indian reservation?
This on-line forum is a part of a project call Tribal Leaders With Character funded by USDA. Hello, my name is Dr. Erich Longie and I am president of Spirit Lake Consulting Inc. (SLC). There are many answers to the above questions and the first one that comes to my mind is “fear”. Those of us who lived our entire lives on Indian Reservation are aware of what will happen if we speak up a little too loudly about ethical violations that occur “frequently”. If we are a tribal worker, there is a fear of losing our job. If we are applying for a housing there is a chance we will be moved to the bottom of the waiting list. If we enjoy sitting on committees or boards we will either be removed or not appointed.
I am not talking about unethical behavior that leads to felony charges although we have our fair share of those. What I am talking about are the “minor” ethical violations that occur frequently, as indicated in a survey we conducted. Ethical violations such as having someone punch you in and not showing up for work at all, taking an extra hour or so for lunch break, using your position as a board/committee member to serve your self- interest, or a friend’s or family member’s interest, or finding ways to divert tribal funds for personal use. These minor ethical violations cost the tribes hundred of thousands of dollar each year and prevent many tribes from addressing many of the social ills that exist on Indian reservations.
Most importantly, the on-line forum is not intended to focus on the negativity that exists on reservations. Instead, its intention is to provide a forum for people to come forward and talk about ethical violations without fear of reprisal. We hope by encouraging openness through this forum tribal members will eventually elect more leaders with strong ethical character, and/or demand ethical behavior from program managers and all tribal members.
Finally, unlike our other on-lines forums (Disability issues and Employment and Small Business) we will require you to register if you want to post a comment. You can use a name such as Tribal99 that is not obvious to the public, but you must register with a working email address so that if there is some inappropriate post, we can contact you and let you know it was edited or removed. SLC reserves the right monitor your comments for tone, taste, and appropriateness. Some of the comments may be used in our on-line course.
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Let me pose this question to you regarding ethics. In most small communities and especially on Indian reservations everybody knows everybody and most people are related in one way or another. When it comes to hiring for a tribal position everyone is welcomed to apply for this position, but in most cases there is a general understanding that if a family member of the Tribe applies, irregardless of qualifications that person will get the job. In most cases, those that applied and felt their qualifications were overlooked would object to the tribe, but most give up. My question is, where does a tribal member go for Due Process or to file a grievance. Not until recently, has our tribe hired a person to follow up on grievances. However, I sincerely wonder how effected or resolution solver this person will perform. Mainly, because the Tribe carries alot of power. Either Directly by using confrontation and pursuasive power (because most tribal members will fight back) knowing that their is no justice. Or they (the tribe) use Indirect influence by referencing the Constitution and using scare tactics or using other family members as spies. All of this discussion I feel carries much of what is wrong in Indian Country in dealing with Ethics - there is no "We as People", But more about "I as an Individual".
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I don't really have an answer to this question, since I am not a tribal member, nor do I reside on a reservation. But it reminds me of the fact that the only surefire way to get a job, in general, is through "who you know". It's so frustrating! People in higher position carry more power, so actions like this usually aren't disputed or questioned. Meanwhile, people who actually have the skills to do the job are looked over. (If I sound bitter, it is because I am currently job searching myself).
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You have already answered you question by stating: "Mainly, because the Tribe carries a lot of power (I am assuming you mean tribal councils)." Years ago, when I first graduated from college I sincerely believed we to had law and order just like non-reservation communities. For the most part we do. The police pick up drunks, break of parties, arrest people for disorderly conduct, etc., and our courts hand down sentences to those who end up in our jails. However, when there are issues such as hiring and firing, often time’s people will rely on politics rather then the courts. Why? Because they know where the real power is - with the tribe (tribal council). Therefore, my answer to your question, where does a tribal member go for Due Process or to file a grievance is to try the political route. (I am being facetious of course.) Here is my serious answer to your question; we need separation of power. I am not alone in this thinking, for years many of our tribal leaders have been advocating for a separation of powers. Just recently, here on our reservation one of the committees made of motion to have a separation of powers. However, any move to a separation of powers has to be well thought out and carefully planned before it is done. If it is not well thought out and carefully planned, it will only make matters worse. By the way, I applaud your tribe’s decision to hire a person to follow up on employees’ grievance. It is a step in the right direction.
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I have been stressed out during the last two weeks. I happen to sit on a board for one the tribal programs here on my reservation and there have been a few issues with it that I believe are relevant to this forum. It all started when I received a phone call from the tribal chairwoman one afternoon. She stated that some of the staff from this particular tribal program was in her office and they were threatening to quit their jobs because of the actions of the program director. Apparently the staff was upset because the director made some changes which included transferring staff to different job sites with no reason given and only given a one-day notice. They also claimed that the director hired family members in some of the positions without posting the job announcement. One of these family members happens to be the director’s daughter. The staff then asked why the director’s daughter was allowed to drive the program’s van to and from work when no one else was ever allowed to do so. They also questioned why the program’s riding lawn mower was parked in front of the daughter’s house.
After listening to their complaints the tribal chairwoman instructed the board to hold a meeting to address these issues with the director. So a few days later we held an informal meeting with the staff and the program director. When informed about these problems, the program director stated that she can do nothing until she has something in writing about these accusations otherwise it would be considered “hearsay” or “rumors.”
The only problem with this is that the staff is afraid of any repercussions from the director if someone were to write these issues up in a letter.
Just another day on the reservation dealing with tribal politics. Does anyone have any suggestions or any stories that are similar that would help me in this matter?
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Living on a reservation myself, I have witnessed similar situations with abuse of Tribal finances. I have come to the conclusion that there are two ways to deal with these types of issues. The first is to take the issue head on. Especially it effects you in some way. This can be done by working with those people who are in the chain of command, because if you are to have due process, then you must follow certain procedures yourself. Because, two wrongs don't make it right. Together you can write a letter that addresses your concerns, but try not to be too negative in how you approach the situation. You can catch more flies with honey. Be positive in explaining that you are mainly concerned with the integrity of the Tribe and the people as a whole. The other approach is to sit back and not do anything. You can complain to others or in fact let it stress you out in how you perform daily or don't lose any sleep over the Trials and Tribulations of the Tribes Rez life.
My suggestion is to compromise and try talking with the person if you have some influence on them. Try to deal with the issue before it becomes a major community problem. It is better to be Proactive in how you deal with life's stressors than to be Reactive when things come at you. GOOD LUCK!
Last edited by Willie (2007-08-27 23:02:57)
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