1982-09-01 Char-Koosta News

              PABLO, MONTANA 59855 ISSN: 0528-8592
NEWSPAPER OF THE SALISH, PEND cTOREILLE AND KOOTENAI TRIBES OF THE FLATHEAD INDIAN RESERVATION, WESTERN MONTANA
VOLUME 11 NUMBER 8
NEW MOON OF THE HARVEST OF RIPE THINGS
SEPTEMBER 1, 1982
Concurrent jurisdiction . . .
Should Indian people govern themselves?
The first of what promises to be another series of public meetings about concurrent jurisdiction attracted all of seven Tribal citizens, not including those representing various Tribal departments.
The seven learned that not much more is known about the process, or the effects, of retrocession than was discussed a year ago when the topic was hot
The meeting wasn't called to answer any questions, to be accurate, but to give interested Tribal citizens a chance to have their concerns noted and researched. AH the questions
Date set for pilgrimage
Each year, the keepers of the culture visit St Mary's Mission in Stevensville, in the Bitterroot valley. The annual late-summer journey takes place to keep alive the memory of the Salish people's many years there, before the federal government forced them to move north. Many Tribal elders are buried in the mission cemetery.
Sunday, September 19, has been set aside for this year's trek. Departure time from SL Ignatius hasn't been decided upon yet, but it will be by our September 15 issue.
Other details remain the same as they've been for many years: mass will be celebrated, followed by a potluck dinner, war dancing, and visiting.
posed at the August 20 meeting were duly recorded and, the Council hopes, will be answered in the near future by the Tribes' legal experts, here and in D.C. Results will be announced at district meetings and published in the Tribal newsletter so Tribal voters can make an informed choice about whether or not the State of Montana should continue to be allowed jurisdiction here.
High on the list of questions voiced at the meeting was, "How much will this cost?" A million-dollar budget was mentioned, but a few law and order people expressed doubt that it would cost so much. (Tribal enforcement and judicial departments spend about half a million now, a good portion of which comes from the BIA).
Chief Tribal judge Don Dupuis said it's possible that the current budget could handle any increased workload, and added that court-levied fines could augment the budget
Here's a brief paraphrased rundown of everyone's comments (councilmen first):
(Continued, next page)
INSIDE:
Money problems got you down?................Page 5
Letter to the Editor............................Page 8
"Around the Campfire"........................Page 9
September calendar..........................Page 17
Council meeting minutes......................Page 18