1981-07-01 Char-Koosta News

              PABLO, MONTANA 59855 ISSN: 0528-8592
Bio SKY Country'
Chief Charlo
Chief KoostataV
NEWSPAPER OF THE SAUSH, PEND dx0REILLE AND KOOTENAI TRIBES OF THE FLATHEAD INDIAN RESERVATION, WESTERN MONTANA
VOLUME 10 NUMBER 4 FULL MOON OF THE SERVICEBERRY JULY 1,1981
NTPC's green light turns yellow; referendum vote called
The Tribal Council voted June 19 to rescind a two-week-old motion to allow the Northern Tier Pipeline Company (NTPC) to cross a portion of the Reservation with a crude oil pipeline. Instead, the people of the valley - that is, the eligible tribal member voters of the Reservation - will decide whether or not to accept NTPC's deal.
Spurred on, perhaps, by tribal member Jerry Brown's petition drive, which was successful almost before the ink from the first signature dried, the Council decided that the final word on the $27 million, 30-year deal rightfully belonged to the people.
The tentative date for the referendum is Saturday, July 18. Tribal officials are
conferring with attorneys in Washington, D.C., on the ballot's official language. Polling places and election judges need to be selected, too.
Joe McDonald, Ronan, made the motion to call for the referendum. Bear-head Swaney, Laurence Kenmille, Louie Adams and Noel Pichette voted "yes" with McDonald. Chairman Tom Pablo, Sonny Morigeau and John McClure disagreed. Vic Stinger declined to vote, and E.W. Morigeau was absent.
(Pipeline coverage continues on page two.)
In other business
Oil exploration: Representatives from the BIA and Petro-Lewis of Colorado
appeared separately to explain the permit system and exploration methods. An a-greement to allow the Denver-based company to explore here was tentatively approved, pending an amendment or two.
Homemaker Program: The central office of the BIA has decided not to untangle the language concerning eligibility for homemaker services, Family Assistance Division director Opal Cajune reported. What now, she wanted to know. All that can be done, she was advised, is to pare the case loads to the most needy recipients over the next month while various legal channels are pursued.
CETA summer employment: Some
(Continued on page 2)
This issue of the Char-Koosta is dedicated to the 1981 Arlee Celebration, the Salish peoples' 83rd annual pow-wow.
We've tried to include many different articles under three main subjects: our Tribes in the past, the Reservation today, and 'Indian Country' in general.
You'll note the many reprinted articles. Rather than depend on ourselves to cover our chosen 'beat', we wanted to share the work of the other
writers who, we must admit, sometimes said things first... and better.
We hope you enjoy this special issue. To our Indian readers: we hope to add to your appreciation of your Indian heritage. To our non-Indian readers: we hope you'll learn something about our Tribes and come to understand a little better America's first inhabitants.
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