1976-01-15 Char-Koosta News

              INEWSPAPER OF THE SALISH, PEND D'ORIELLES AND KOOTENAI TRIBES
COUNCIL SWORN IN
Five newly elected Councilman were given the oath of office by Judge  Don Dupuis at the first Quarterly meeting of 1976 held January 2.   Two freshman Councilmen, Noel Pichette and "Sonny" Morigeau, along with incumbants John Malatare, Vic Stinger and Tom Pablo swore to.."support and defem the constitution of the United States against all enemies, to carry out faithfully and impartially the duties of my off ice to the best of my ability; to cooperate promote, and protect the best   interests   of my Tribe, in accordance with this Constitution and Bylaws."   The five midterm Councilmen also took the oath of office, reaffirming the oath they swore by when first elected.
Two names were nominated for Chairman of the Council........Joe McDonald
nominated Tom Pablo, Hot Springs Councilman; and E.W. 'Bill' Morigeau nominated Harold 'Mitch' Mitchell,Jr., St. Ignatius.  In a written ballot, supervised by BIA Supt. Al Renne and Reservation Programs Director Ray Dupuis, Mitchell was re-elected to the Chairmanship by a 6 to 4 vote.
In the Vice Chairmanship two names, were also nominated. John Malatare nominated Vic Stinger, Pablo; and Noel Pichette nominated E.W. Morigeau,   Poison. Stinger took Vice Chairman in a 7 to 3 vote over Morigeau.
Thomas Pablo motioned for the Council to reaffirm Fred Houle, Jr. as Secretary of the Tribe. Councilmen Whitworth and Morigeau asked if there were any other applications to consider.  Secretary Fred Houle stated the position had not  been advertised, however if the Council voted not to reaffirm him he would advertise for applications to be made for them to consider.  THe Council voted unanimous 10-0 to reconfirm Secretary Houle.
Treasurer Linda Busby and Sargeant at Arms Homer Courville were also reconfirmed by the Council for a 2 year term.
PACK RIVER MAKES LAND OFFER
The new President fo the Pack River Company, Bob Dearmand, and company representatives Oliver Dupuis, from the Poison Pack River Mill, and Chet Chas -tain, met with the Tribal Council and presented an offer to sell over 27,000 acres of land to the Tribe.
The land, comprises over 24,000 acces mostly cattle grazing area known as the Pack River Perma-Dixon Ranch, and approximately 3300 acres in the St. Ignatius area . 1200 acres of the St. Ignatius land is commonly known as the disputed Mission Fathers land that the Tribe has been seeking to reacquire.
Pack River is asking from $130.00 to 600.00 an acre, with a majority of the land, over 24,000 acres selling rfor $150 an acre figure. If the Council accepts the offer to buy the entire acreage up for sale the total price would amount to over 5 million dollars.
Tribal Chairman Harold Mitchell, Jr. stated that "the Council is considering the
offer....Land appraisals are now being checked."
If and when the Council decides to purchase the Pack River land, price negocia-= tions will have to be agreed upon first.
The Pack River Mill in Poison was also brought up in the discussions by Mr. DeAr-mand. He stated that the Pack River Company would be willing to discuss either selling the Mill to the Tribe or combining forces in a joint venture for the Mill operation. He stated that Pack River has a mill , it would benefit both parties concerned : plus create employment if the two could
reach an agreement. The Council said they would consider both ideas.
The Mill in Poison has all but shut down completely, leaving laid off a majority of its employees, many of whom are Tribal members. If feasibility studies prove to be acceptable, the reopening of the Pack River Mill operation would give Reservation unemployment the shot in the arm it needs right now.
$300,000 FOR NEW JOBS
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe is among 39 Tribal groups that will be receiving a total of almost $10 million this fiscal year. Johnny Neuman, Director of the E.D.A. Planning Project, stated his office has received notice that the Tribe's share of the grants will amount to $300,000.00. The Funding comes under Title X of the Public works and Economic Development Act to create Job Opportunities in areas of high unemployment.
Job creation and distribu-; tion of funding will be allocated to Alvin Sloan, Director of the Reservation Man-
gower and CETA Programs, loan told the Char-Koosta that a portion of the funding will be used to create new jobs under existing programs, giving examples of the Alcoholism Program, Youth Halfway House and the Tribal Alternative School.  He further stated that sugges-
tions for new projects not already receiving funding would be made by the Tribal council's administration committee.
The funds will create approximately 35 new Jobs on the Reservation for one year. The local programs will go into effect after February 1st.
Some projects under way on some other Reservations will include graveling driveways and repairing '& winterizing homes, irrigation projects for Tribally owned land one project to raise 200 Tribally owned cattle, Community Action Program to employ 60 Elderly people part-time   and begin youth recreation Centers where they are needed.
If you would like to submit Project suggestions send them into the Char-Koosta and we will be glad to forward them to the Administration Committee.