1986-07-25 Char-Koosta News

              Chief Charlo of the Salish VOLUME 15, NUMBER 6
Chief Koostatah of the Kootenai THE MONTH OF THE CELEBRATION DANCES JULY 25,1986
FIIP to be an REC? Tribal Council responds with alternative idea
The Tribal Council voted unanimously on July 18 to seek management control of the power division of the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project under the provisions of federal law PL 93-638.
The action was in response to a movement by a mostly non-Indian citizens group to form a rural electric cooperative (REC) to run the division.
The Council's official statement
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follows. A summary of the Tribes' proposed management plan follows the news release.
The Tribes announced July 18 its intention to establish a non-profit, consumer-oriented electric utility to manage the FIIP power division.
Under the plan, which was approved unanimously, the utility would be controlled by a board representing both Indian and non-Indian residents of the Reservation. It would also include the establishment of a consumer council made up of Indians and non-Indians to enable the utility to be
more responsive to all ratepayers.
According to Tribal Chairman Ron Therriault, the proposed non-profit approach will retain all economic benefits of the power division for the ratepayers. The consumer-oriented utility would continue to operate an efficient power distribution system aimed at providing dependable, low-cost power, while meeting repayment obligations for construction of both the power and irrigation systems.
Therriault emphasized that the Tribal proposal has Been.approved "in concept" by Department oWnterior ( Confin ues olupofle "twa>
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IHS eligibility meeting scheduled for Monday
How do you feel about all less-than-quarter-degree Tribal members being kicked off the IHS service rolls? (See the story in the 7-11-86 CKN.)
You're urged to come and speak your piece at a public hearing next Monday, Jury 28, beginning at 1 p.m. in the Council chambers at Tribal headquarters in Pablo.
Written comments are also urged to be submitted to Montana's congressional delegation and other federal people: see the addresses on page two. The deadline is Oct. 8.
The Jury 28 meeting will be the first of a series of hearings in Montana and Wyoming to be held through August. The Billings-area IHS is the sponsoring agency.
1Tribal college's TV station makes progress...........Page 4
NArlee pow wow winners listed......................Page 6
SEssay: Public relations and Indian law...............Page 9
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DPage 12
E.....Page 13