1981-08-15 Char-Koosta News

              Sali^ÛOtenii Co**urjity College ^ox 1020 s
Roñan, MT 59364
PABLO, MONTANA 59855 ISSN: 0528-8592
VOLUME 10 NUMBER 7
NEWSPAPER OF THE SAUSH, PEND cTOREILLE AND KOOTENAI TRIBES OF THE FLATHEAD INDIAN RESERVATION, WESTERN MONTANA FULL MOON OF THE HUCKLEBERRY
AUGUST 15,1981
Secretarial election seeks decision on primaries, concurrent jurisdiction
Flathead Agency BIA officials received word last month that the Secretary of the Interior will allow the CSK tribal membership to decide whether or not they want primary elections for the purpose of narrowing down the field of candidates in their biennial general election of tribal leaders.
The referendum came as a result of a petition drive spearheaded by Lucille T. Otter and Thurman Trosper. Aided by close to 30 volunteers (see "Letters
REGISTRATION MANDATORY FOR SECRETARIAL ELECTION
Eligible tribal members need to be registered with the Bureau of Indian Affairs on or before August 25,1981, in order to vote in the October 3 secretarial election (see story this page).
Election packets were mailed August 10 to all resident tribal members who are 18 years of age or older, or will be by December 22, 1981. Enclosed were a two-page memo explaining the election, a registration form, and an absentee ballot request form.
Only those voters who are eighteen years-old or over by October 3 and who are registered will be allowed to vote. Forms must be completed and returned to the Flathead Agency before the August 25 deadline. Voters should pay special attention to the fact that their signatures must appear on the
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to the Editor"), Mrs. Otter was able to get 994 names - 880 of which were eventually validated - on petitions requesting a tribal constitutional amendment to allow for primary elections, every other December. Only 714 signatures - 1/3 the total number of eligible voters ~ were needed.
Efforts earlier in the year by Thurman Trosper failed to convince two-thirds of the Tribal Council to authorize primaries. "Too expensive," some said, and 'write-in' candidates could still dilute votes, weakening the original intent of the progenerai balloting.
The rejection prompted Trosper to follow both tribal constitutional
provisions and federal law and go the petition route.
The completed petition was filed with the BIA on June 11. Complying with the rules set forth in the "CFR" - the Code of Federal Regulations, the bureaucratic Bible wherein the specifics of America's laws are detailed chapter and verse, or rather, article, section and paragraph number - the BIA posted the petition results for public review and possible challenge. (Only one challenge was leveled).
After all the 900-some-odd signatures were reviewed, validated and certified, the petition was sent off for a series of authorizations at the BIA area and federal levels.
Official authorization to go ahead and hold the secretarial election was received at the Flathead Agency on July 26. Following still other CFR provisions.
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Inside this issue
THD has two heroes............................Page 3
Charlo's People - continued......................Page 5
Memories: Summer Ree. 1981....................Page 6
"Letters to the Editor"..........................Page 8
Health Corner................................Page 10
"Around the Campjire"........................Page 18
Tribal Council Minutes.........................Page 22