TRIBAL GOVERNMENT OPENNESS

IN THE VAST MAJORITY OF NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES (FIRST PEOPLE), THERE IS AN OPENNESS, IN THE WAY THE TRIBES DO THEIR BUSINESS.

TERELL BOEITTCHER, A REPORTER FOR THE SAWYER COUNTY RECORD REPORTS THAT LOCAL TRIBES ALLOW THEIR GOVERNMENTS TO BE COVERED BY THE PRESS JUST LIKE ANY LOCAL CITY OR TOWN IN HIS REPORTING AREA. BOETTCHER COVERS THE LAC COURTE OREILLES TRIBE (5,500 MEMBERS) IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN. THIS TRIBE HAS A SMALL CASINO. THE MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AS WELL AS TRIBAL MEMBERS.

THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOTS SUPPOSEDLY HAVE CLOSED MEETINGS THAT DO NOT ALLOW TRIBAL MEMBERS TO ATTEND. THE MOHEGANS BETWEEN 1995 AND 1996 HAD CLOSED MEETINGS AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND DAYS. IN THOSE YEARS MOHEGAN TRIBAL MEMBERS COMPLAINED ABOUT BEING DENIED ACCESS TO TRIBAL COUNCIL MEETINGS AND INFORMATION. TODAY, THE MOHEGANS HAVE "OPEN SESSIONS" IN WHICH TRIBAL MEMBERS AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT ARE ALLOWED TO ATTEND.

THE MAJORITY OF THE 550 NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES (FIRST PEOPLE) ARE OPEN. THE REASON FOR THE DIFFERENCE IN THE ALLOWING OPENNESS IN GOVERNMENT IS BECAUSE OF SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY. TRIBAL NATIONS HAVE MADE THEIR OWN GOVERNMENTS, AS A RESULT OF INDIAN RE-ORGANIZATION ACT OF 1934.

EDDIE BROWN, FORMER ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR INDIAN AFFAIRS WITH THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT SAID, " I SEE TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS AS DEVELOPING IN A VERY POSITIVE WAY. GENERALLY SPEAKING, THERE IS MOVEMENT TOWARD MORE OPENNESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY."

THE TOHONO-O'ODHAM NATION IN ARIZONA, HAS ITS' TRIBAL COUNCILORS SIT AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH MONTH FOR 5 DAYS. BROWN SAID, "ANYBODY CAN SIT IN ON THE MEETINGS WHETHER THEY'RE TRIBAL MEMBERS OR NOT."

THE SIOUX, CHEROKEES AND NAVAJOS OPERATE IN SIMULAR FASHION, BROWN SAID.

GREATER OPENNESS IS NEEDED IN THE NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES THAT ARE INTO GAMBLING ENTERPRISES (CASINOS). MORE AND MORE TRIBES ARE OPENING CASINOS UNDER THE NATIONAL GAMING REGULATORY ACT OF 1968.

BROWN SAID, "INDIAN GOVERNMENTS ARE BEING CHALLENGED TO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE MONEY AND WHAT'S BEING DONE WITH IT. THEY'RE FINDING PRESSURE BEING PLACED ON THEM TO BE RESPONSIBLE TO THE (INDIAN) COMMUNITY."

TIM JOHNSON, A MOHAWK INDIAN SAID, "IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR COMMUNITIES TO HAVE ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS THAT ARE OPEN IN A WAY THAT (TRIBAL MEMBERS) KNOW WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING."

MOST TRIBES GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS PROPRIETARY MATTERS SUCH AS LITIGATION, PERSONNEL OR REAL ESTATE.

INSTEAD OF MOVING TOWARDS A MORE OPEN GOVERNMENT, IT SEEMS IN MY OPINION, THAT THE MOHEGAN TRIBAL COUNCIL IS MOVING TOWARDS A MORE CLOSED AND CONTROLLED WAY OF RUNNING THE GOVERNMENT. WITH THE FINANCES OF THE TRIBE AND THE CASINO IN TROUBLE, IT IS A TIME TO BE MORE OPEN AND NOT MORE CLOSED. WHAT DO YOU THINK?