1984-01-15 Char-Koosta News

              SKY CourtTRY
NEWSPAPER OF THE SAUSH, PEND cTOREILLE
AND KOOTENAI TRIBES OF THE FLATHEAD INDIAN RESERVATION, WESTERN MONTANA
VOLUME 12 NUMBER 17
THE SHOWING MONTH
JANUARY 15, 1984
'Secret meetings'?: Report from the quarterly
Felsman, Steele win top spots on Council by acclamation
Joe Felsman and Jim Steele were selected Tribal Council Chairman and Vice-Chairman, respectively, by acclamation of their Council peers at 1984's first quarterly meeting January 6 in Pablo.
Vic Stinger retained his honorary post of Tribal Secretary, as did Bob McCrea as Tribal Treasurer, also by acclamation
The Council Chambers were almost filled to capacity as new councilmen Mickey Pablo (Hot Springs), Ron Therriault (St. Ignatius), and Kevin Howlett (Arlee), were sworn in by BIA Superintendent Al Spang, along with victorious incumbents Stinger (Pablo) and Sonny Morigeau (Dixon).
Clarence Woodcock, cultural leader from St Ignatius, began the ceremony with a prayer in English and Salish, which was followed by an honor song from Woodcock, Alex Quequesah, Dolly Linsebigler, and Greg DuMontier.
Nominations for Council office then began. All the winners were chosen by the same method: One nomination was made and seconded, then nominations were closed, leading to each of the people named being selected without competition.
Selection of sergeant-at-arms, the duties of which are listed in the minutes elsewhere in this issue, wasn't so easy. Thirteen hopefuls, including four women, were culled to four by secret ballot of the Council. Incumbent Buddy McDonald was defeated by George Hewankorn, who was selected after a second, tie-breaker ballot between him and Joe E. Garcia
Each councilman was then encouraged to say a few words. A remark common to all was, "Thanks for the support... thanks for being concerned enough to cast a vote."
The first topic of many to be discussed during the day-long meeting was a rumor about "secret Council meetings". A number of councilmen assured the audience that the two meetings held since the December 17 election were simply informal 'getting to know you' gatherings at which no official actions were taken. (Jim Steele comments on the matter on page 6.)
After three requests for donations were dealt with, two of which were successful, new representative Ron Therriault moved that councilmen serving on boards involved with programs with managers -- "buffer boards" - be phased out Action on the motion won't be immediate, however, pending further study and clarification on which boards will be affected
Further discussion on Tribal operations involved remarks about reorganization to increase effectiveness and decrease spending. Howlett said there would probably be some reassigning of people. Problems with "turf could be solved with some solid
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