OPEN LETTER TO WHITE EARTH VOTERS:

I want to add my “Thanks” to those previously expressed by Doyle Turner, to all the White Earth voters who voted for Doyle in the April 14, 2000, Primary Election. It was a significant victory, although in a “Preliminary” event.

The “Main Event”, the General Election, is coming up on June 13, 2000. Much needs to be done in order for Doyle to win this event.

Doyle’s election committee met following the Primary Election to analyze the Primary Election results. In the twelve on-reservation precincts 54% of the 1216 ballots cast were for Doyle. 57% of the 115 votes in the Cass Lake precinct were for Doyle. 31% of the 138 votes in the Minneapolis precinct were for Doyle. 22% of the 465 Absentee votes counted were for Doyle. Overall, 45% of the 1934 votes cast were for Doyle.

Doyle’s election committee sent out about 1150 requests for Primary Election ballots to eligible absentee voters. Of those, about 150 came back as undeliverable. Of the 1000 requests received by absentee voters, 103, or 10% came back as absentee votes for Doyle. Our opponent, with the reservation mailing list, received 325, or 70% of the absentee votes cast.

As you can see, our election committee has a big job ahead of it. We must somehow convince at least two hundred more eligible absentee voters, of the 1000 on our list, to vote for Doyle Turner.

Our opponent, with the reservation mailing list, sends the reservation newspaper to all persons on the reservation mailing list. This newspaper seems to indicate vast accomplishments by our opponent. On the reservation, and in our Cass Lake and Minneapolis precincts, we know better. We have no way of informing those voters on the reservation mailing list, whose names and addresses we don’t have, that Doyle Turner is the best candidate. We know that our opponent has read the “handwriting on the wall”, and will be working really, really hard on the absentee voters, since he lost, “big time”, on the reservation, and in the Cass Lake and Minneapolis precincts.

Our opponent has decided to take “the low road”, using half-truths, lies, and “real tripe”, in his election campaign. This is verified by his delivery of unsigned “real tripe” material, stapled to his campaign material, to the elderly at the Pine Point Elderly Nutrition site on May 4, 2000. More than likely, this is what we can look forward to, during the balance of his election campaign.

In 1996, “Bugger” McArthur and “Bogus Buck” took office prior to resolution of election protests. They were supported by the acting Area Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and learned legal advisors. This approval of the takeover was appealed to the BIA’s Interior Board of Indian Appeals (IBIA) and was “stayed”, until the IBIA made a final ruling. In December 1996, the IBIA ruled against the BIA’s approval of the takeover, calling it an intrusive and invasive intrusion into tribal government affairs. It was a short-lived victory, however, since the IBIA has no enforcement power except through the BIA, and the Acting Area Director would take no action to reverse the wrong he had committed. In 1998 the TEC finally censured McArthur. In the first censure meeting, several people were banned from attending and McArthur was acquitted. Because of banning people from attending, the TEC disapproved that meeting and called for another. In the second censure meeting, “Bogus” RBC members “Bogus Buck”, Vizenor and Turney, along with Tony Wadena voted to censure and remove McArthur. Going into “executive session”, their “Bogus” RBC then appointed “Bogus Buck” as Chairman and Goodman as District III Representative. From the takeover in 1996 until now our RBC has been “Bogus”. It could have been corrected in 1996 by the TEC, by ruling that the election was flawed by the “Bogus” removal of the legal election judge by a “Bogus” RBC. But they didn’t and they won’t!

Now it is up to the voters of White Earth. By your votes in the Primary Election you have shown you want to make things right. But we need even more people to vote. Our opponent will work really hard to win by the absentee votes. Many of these absentee voters will receive only his campaign material and the reservation newspaper. We do not have as many of their names and addresses and will not be able to send them Doyle’s campaign material. Our opponents material and the reservation newspaper will look good to them and many will vote for him. We must work to get 300 absentee votes for Doyle - 200 more than in the Primary. Doyle’s election committee estimates that there are 2400 eligible voters in the 12 precincts on the reservation. Doyle got 653 votes from the 12 precincts in the Primary. We must try really hard to double that figure. Doyle got 109 votes from the Cass Lake and Minneapolis precincts. Again, we must try to double that amount. Our election committee feels it is unrealistic to think we can outdo our opponent in obtaining absentee votes. We don’t have the numbers of names and addresses needed. You, the reservation, Cass Lake, and Minneapolis voters can help us tremendously by phoning, writing, faxing and e-mailing your friends and relatives to vote for Doyle Turner. Then, by doubling our reservation, Cass Lake, and Minneapolis votes for Doyle, we will win this election. Please vote and get everyone you know to vote. Your vote is your voice and every vote will count.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.”
Proverbs XXIX.18

Doyle’s vision is for unity, fairness and equality. Make his vision your vision. Vote Doyle Turner on June 13, 2000.

Sincerely,

Violet Annette Harper
MCT member enrolled at White earth
P.O. Box 26
Cass Lake, MN 56633

From Doyle Turner
Re: Rumors
April 20, 2000

I would like to take time to address the rumors that are being spread around to try to discredit what I am doing. The positive vision is much bigger than the rumors that are being spread, but you need to be made aware of the truth behind the rumors.

1. The rumor is still going around that I am for Chip Wadena. I need to tell you that this is an old and tired rumor. It is left over from the 1996 election. It wasn’t true then and it isn’t true today. This rumor has been used to justify firing a lot of people. YOU the people of White Earth are who I AM for. Remember, my vision is all of us working together for a better future for White Earth.

2. The rumor is going around that when I am elected in June I have picked out people for key staff positions and that I have a list of people who will be fired. This is not true either. I do not believe, as others do, that your job depends on who you vote for or who you know. When I am elected in June, everyone will have an equal chance for work.

3. The rumor is going around that I masterminded a take over at White Earth. This is not true either. Ask the people who were there who masterminded the take over. I believe that taking over steals the power of our voice and vote. I did send a fax in to those gathered there asking them to leave before someone got hurt.

I believe there IS a way to change a tyrannical government. You change systems not by using force, but by the wishes of the people using your voice and vote. The primary election proves that this is your wish. It can be done, but we need to turn out every local and absentee voter on June 13, to make this change.

Rumors and lies separate people and keep us fighting, when what we need is to work together for a stronger and more positive future for us all.

Are we people of rumors or are people of vision?

If you have any questions about what you hear please check them out with me.

April 20, 2000

To The White Earth People

I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all who voted for me in the April 18th primary election. I deeply appreciate the outstanding support you gave me. I feel this is a strong vote of confidence for our positive vision of a bright future for the White Earth Reservation. Thank You!

I would like to say a special thank you to those who work so tirelessly and who believe as I do that what we do will make a lasting difference for all of us. Thank you!

Thank you too for your continued support!

Remember to vote on June 13th in the general election.

There are polling places at the Indian Center in Minneapolis and at the Resource Center in Cass Lake.

Bring a friend, lets double our vote!!!

Thank You!

Doyle Turner

April 25, 2000

COMMENTARY

The Constitution and bylaws of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe was approved in 1936 and became our tribal Governing Document.

All the Chippewa Indians duly registered on the approved rolls of the six reservations are members of this Tribal organization, the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.

The governing body was the tribal Executive Committee, composed of not more than two members from each reservation.

Tribal Delegates, numbering not more than two from any designated district or community of the six reservations, were ELECTED annually. Since this was before my time, I do not know how many Tribal Delegates there were. Depending on the number of designated districts or communities on the six reservations, I surmise that there were somewhere between twenty four and sixty Tribal Delegates.

The Tribal Delegates SELECTED, not ELECTED, two Tribal members from each reservation to compose the Tribal Executive Committee. The tribal Delegates CHOSE, from within the selected Tribal Executive committee, the Tribal Officers; i.e. President, Vice President, Secretary and treasurer.

The Tribal Executive Committee had the power to “manage all the BUSINESS and affairs of the Tribe, including all matters incident to the welfare of the Tribe and shall make all necessary rules and regulations...for the management OF THE BUSINESS and guidance of the officers, employees, and agents of the Tribe.”

While many other matters were detailed in the original Constitution, the above were some I deemed to have some importance. Especially, the fact that the Constitution was developed to run Tribal Business.

In 1964, The Revised Constitution and Bylaws of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, was approved.

Membership into the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe became more defined, and now included the requirement of at least 1/4 degree Minnesota Chippewa Indian blood for all children born after 1961. Enrollment into the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe is based on ancestry; and ancestry is based on the annuity roll of each reservation in 1941. If your ancestor was on the annuity roll at Grand Portage reservation, each succeeding generation is enrolled AT Grand Portage, INTO the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. With up to 80% of our enrolled members living off reservation; and many born off reservation; and many never having been to a reservation, except maybe for funerals, pow-wows, etc., it is ironic that, through an accident of ancestry, they are enrolled AT a particular reservation, INTO the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.

In the Revised Constitution and Bylaws, the Tribal Executive Committee is the governing body.

The Tribal Delegates were replaced by six elected Reservation Business Committees; each composed of three to five members, elected to 4 year terms. Each Reservation Business Committee has a Chairman, Secretary-Treasurer, and one to three Committeemen. The Chairman and Secretary-Treasurer of each Reservation Business Committee make up the twelve member Tribal Executive Committee. The Tribal Executive Committee elects from within that body a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

In the Revised Constitution and Bylaws, the power or authorities of the Tribal Executive Committee and Reservation Business Committees are almost identical. These powers are almost identical to the original Constitution and Bylaws. The Tribal Executive Committees, and now, the Reservation Business Committees, have the power to manage all the BUSINESS and affairs of the Tribe, including guidance to the officers, employers and agents OF THE BUSINESS of the Tribe. The fact remains, then, that the Revised Constitution only authorizes the TEC AND RBC’S to run Tribal and RBC businesses.

In the 1970’s the TEC and RBC’s realized that they needed authorities to run Tribal Governments.

It is my contention that if the Constitution does not say you can do something--then you can’t! To me, this is common sense and logical.

The TEC and RBC’s, probably after consultation with Tribal and Reservation attorneys, take a different approach. They take the approach that if the constitution doesn’t say you can’t--then you can!

To me, this approach is nonsensical and illogical (Ho -wah, Mr. Spock!), since it results in constitutional revisions, without explicit and authentic acts of the members.

Our Constitution needs revision. How best to do it is the problem. A hasty review of the development of our original and revised constitutions to run businesses, seems to point out the fact that the reservations were treated as equals, regardless of reservation size or population. Maybe this policy should be continued. Develop a Constitution treating each reservation as equal to the others, but being broad and general enough to allow each reservation to develop its own Constitution within the perimeters of the Tribal Constitution. Each reservation could choose 10, 12, or 15 (or whatever the number) reservation delegates to attend the Tribal Constitutional Convention. The TEC could determine delegate compensation, all costs of reservation delegates to be paid by the reservations. Each reservation could develop its own Reservation Constitution, within the perimeters of the Tribal Constitution, but, as a suggestion, should include a good cross section of resident tribal members in its development. It would also make sense to have uniform codes covering all six reservations. And a uniform court system makes sense.

Our Constitution needs to be revised. The TEC, as our elected leadership, has to provide the method and means. It's going to take lots of time and probably, lots of money. It is time to start. You don’t have to wait until the General Election is over. No matter who is elected, or re-elected, it has to be done. Start now.

“The best of all governments is that which teaches us to govern ourselves.”

Goethe

Sincerely,

Violet Annette Harper
MCT Member enrolled at White Earth
P.O. Box 26
Cass Lake, MN 56633

ATTENTION!!! ATTENTION!!! ATTENTION!!!

OFFICIAL PRIMARY RESULTS ARE IN!!

Chairman

• Doyle Turner - 865
• John Buckanaga - 714

District III

• Ralph Goodman - 316
• Gus Bevins - 249

These four are the top vote getters and will go on to the June 13, 2000 general election.

April 18, 2000

COMMENTARY

To repeat a quote from a previous commentary:

“The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government. But the constitution which at any time exists, until changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon all.”
George Washington, 1796

For the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, the basis of our political systems is “The Revised Constitution and Bylaws of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.” This Constitution is the ONLY basis for our Tribe’s political system! We have NO OTHER DOCUMENTS which governs our Tribe’s political system! In 1934 we gave up any other political system we may have had for the now entitled “Revised Constitution and bylaws of the Minnesota Tribe !” This Constitution is perpetual (Constitution Article VII), “until revoked by lawful means....”

The voting membership of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe has the right to alter, amend, revise or revoke this Constitution, by an explicit and authentic act of the voting membership. ( Constitution Article XII - Amendment, and Article XIV - Referendum.)

Our Constitution, which now exists, until changed by an explicit and authentic amendment or referendum of the entire voting membership, is sacredly obligatory upon all of us; TEC; RBC’s, and Tribal Members.

Two amendments, which I believe are unconstitutional, were passed by referendum votes of our members. We must abide by these amendments until they are revised or revoked by explicit and authentic acts of our members.

Our constitution has NO provision for Reservation Tribal Councils; NO provision for Reservation Chief Executives; NO provision for reservation enrollment; NO provision for a 12 month residency requirement for candidacy for office; NO provision for a Candidate for office to live on trust property; NO provision for a Tribal court system; NO provision for Tribal law enforcement systems; and NO provision that states that only the TEC can interpret our Constitution. These acts of the TEC and RBC’s are all unconstitutional! They will remain unconstitutional until changed by explicit and authentic amendments and/or referendums of the tribal membership.

Every TEC member and RBC member has sworn an oath to preserve, support and protect the Constitution. Most of them are honorable men and women - and most of them are friends of mine. Some of them are probably thinking, “With a friend like her, who needs enemies?” I say, “A friend in need, is a friend indeed,” and my friends, you need to get back on the constitutional path.

The following quotation fully explains my feelings on the subject;

“I am in earnest - I will not equivocate - I will not excuse - I will not retreat a single inch - AND I WILL BE HEARD.”
William Lloyd Garrison, 1831

Sincerely,

Violet Annette Harper
MCT MEMBER enrolled at White Earth
P.O. Box 26
Cass Lake, MN 56633

COMMENTARY

Census Confusion Abounds Unnecessarily

If the Census Form states “Print name of enrolled or principal tribe,” the answer has to be “Minnesota Chippewa Tribe”. No MCT member is enrolled in a MCT reservation, They are enrolled AT a reservation. Simple as 1+1=2.

As a commentator for the Native American Press I find myself in the unique position of having to disagree with our Publisher, Bill Lawrence.

Mr. Lawrence, in his Publisher’s Commentary, in the April 6, 2000 issue of the Native American Press stated , “And with 80% of Minnesota Tribal members living off reservation primarily in cities, Harper’s suggestion that one’s county will indicate to the Federal government what band a person is affiliated with is erroneous.”

The 80% of Minnesota tribal members living off reservation are NOT included in the Reservation Census. This 80% pay city, state and federal taxes where they reside and are counted there. The counties surrounding their cities don’t care which reservation a tribal member is from. They only want to know the number of tribal people residing within their service area. What tribe; how many. County officials know which communities are within their counties, and which reservation services tribal members there. Reservations contract with the state and federal government for funds to service their tribal residents -- so the 80% living off reservation are left out.

I must maintain my stance; on the census form under tribal affiliation, write “Minnesota Chippewa Tribe”.

Divide and conquer has been the theme of the federal government for a long time. This census is just another step in that direction, and the sad part about it is that out reservation leaders are advocating it. First, the federal government couldn’t deal with the entire Chippewa Tribe and made treaties with various bands of the tribe. That step worked, Second, the statehoods of Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota further separated us. That step worked. Third, the Indian Reorganization Act further separated us, into the Red Lake and Minnesota Chippewa Tribes. That Step worked. Now, Fourth, the 2000 census. Our reservation governments advocate violating the MCT Constitution, again, by listing ourselves as reservation members instead of MCT members. So, as apparently one voice advocating tribal unity, and not separation, I repeat, on the census form under Tribal affiliation, write “Minnesota Chippewa Tribe”.

As a “Constitutionalist”, I am one of many who know our constitution is a flawed document. It was developed to run tribal business, not tribal governments. But it could have been revised or amended at anytime over the past 60 plus years. We were tricked twice, into passing amendments, which are unconstitutional because they take away our right to vote and hold office where we reside. The secretary of Interior, through the Bureau Of Indian Affairs (BIA) was supposed to make sure unconstitutional amendments didn’t happen. But since the agency superintendent, and the area director signed off on these amendments, the Secretary of Interior approved them. The fact that the tribal members were tricked in approving these amendments by a referendum vote does not make them right. They were unconstitutional then they are unconstitutional now. The Uniform Election ordinance also violates the constitution by requiring that a candidate must reside on a reservation for 12 months prior to an election to be an eligible candidate. Mille Lacs requirement that a candidate must live on trust land to be a candidate, is also unconstitutional. Unconstitutional amendments do not set precedents. These added qualifications, whether by Election Ordinance or Reservation Business Committee are unconstitutional amendments. These unconstitutional amendments do not set any precedent and do not allow the TEC or individual RBC’s the discretion to add unconstitutional qualifications. Article XII of the Constitution clearly states that the constitution can be amended only by a referendum vote. The constitution qualifications for candidate eligibility do not represent minimum qualifications, they represent the only qualifications for candidacy.

Our Constitution is not written in stone - it can be amended...and should be. Amendments are also not written in stone. They can be rescinded and reversed.

The TEC and RBC’s can act Constitutionally and by their oaths of office have sworn to do so.

“States have no rights - only people have rights. States have responsibilities.”
George Romney, 1964

Sincerely,

Violet Annette Harper
MCT Member enrolled at White Earth
P.O. Box 26
Cass Lake, MN 56633

Native American Press/Ojibwe News Article on Census confuses Reservation Administrators.

The Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Revised Constitution and Bylaws, Article II- Membership, Sections 1, 2, and 3, defines Members of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe! There is no other distinction! Minnesota’s Chippewa citizens who meet MCT membership requirements are enrolled into the MCT.

Reservation Administrators and Census Takers who are confused should not further confuse Minnesota’s Chippewa citizens about how to identify themselves. Under “Tribal affiliation” put “Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.” The citizens home address will indicate which county and reservation the citizen resides in. This could actually increase the count for each county and reservation since all Tribal Citizens would be in included, in addition to MCT members. If an Indian citizen, of any Tribal affiliation, lives within a county or reservation boundaries they are a part of the service population of that county or reservation. So, to avoid confusion, under “Tribal affiliation”, put “Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.” ( or, whatever Tribe the citizen belongs to.)

In the same article is the totally confusing, and totally wrong, statement, “Each individual band is recognized as an independent tribe by the federal government, while the umbrella organization of the MCT is not.” Wow! How confused can a person get! The writer must have been talking to a reservation administrator!

The MCT is recognized by the federal government as THE TRIBE, while the reservations are recognized by the federal government as independent reservations OF THE TRIBE. As recently as the late 60’s and early 70’s, ALL federal contracting was done with the MCT, who dispersed funds to the six reservations. With the advent of “638 contracting“, in the early 70’s, the reservations, as parts of the MCT, independently contracted with the federal government .

The MCT Constitution; Article V - Authorities of the Tribal Executive Committee; Section 1. (e) reads, “ To consult, negotiate, contract and conclude agreements on behalf of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe with Federal, State and local governments or private persons or organizations on all matters within the powers of the Tribal Executive Committee, except as provided in the powers of the Reservation Business Committees. “

The MCT Constitution: Article VI - Authorities of the Reservation Business Committees: Section 1. (c) reads, “to consult, negotiate and contract and conclude agreements on behalf of it’s respective reservation with Federal, State and local governments or private persons or organizations on all matters within the power of the Reservation Business Committee, provided that no such agreements or contracts shall directly affect any other Reservation or the Tribal Executive Committee without their consent.”

President George Washington said, in a statement which applies to the MCT Constitution as well as the U.S. Constitution;

“ The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of the government. But the constitution which at any time exists, until changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon all.” (emphasis, mine)
Washington, Farewell Address, 1796

To Paraphrase Daniel Webster, who said;

“Let us stand by the Constitution, as it is, and by our tribe as it is, one, united, and entire; we have one tribe, one constitution, one destiny.” (emphasis, mine. The word Tribe substituted for Webster's word Country.)
Daniel Webster, 1837

Sincerely,

Violet Annette Harper
MCT Member enrolled at White Earth
P.O. Box 26
Cass Lake, MN 56633