Editor:
There are a few things I would like to know. I don't live in Montana anymore, so it is hard for me to get to any of the Little Shell meetings, and I never know when they are having one.
First off, why isn't there a list of all our true members put out to the public, or even to us members? Or are we all secret members? If so, explain to me why.
I am not ashamed of being a Little Shell Chippewa Cree Indian of Montana. I want the whole world to know who I am and what I stand for. I am sure that letting the whole world know all about what happened to our tribe of Indians would help all of us Little Shell people to gain our equal rights to be the Indians we are.
There is no way that we will ever gain our equal rights if we do not speak out to the whole world.
Our cause must be out so that everyone knows about us, and what the United States had done to aboriginal people in their own homeland.
I am a member of the Little Shell Chippewa Indians of Montana, and I am proud to be.
If we don't let our voice be heard by the whole world, we will never gain our equal rights to be the Indians we are.
Henry G. Gladeau Sr.
Burley, Idaho
1) Has Mr. Gladeau contacted our new Chairman about his issues?
2)I never know when they are having a meeting, either, until it is too late. I believe not only should the membership be notified by e-mail or some other thrifty alternative, the minutes of every meeting should be available to read and scrutinize, just like any other form of government. Transparency is important if we are to gain the credibility we lost during the last fiasco-and yes we lost credibility!
3) As far as publicity goes, for every story of hardship and strife, I want to hear about successes! There are a lot of Little Shell out there who have businesses and who are successful.
I spent 12 years on the Havre City Council and know all about how a government should function. If we are going to get federal recognition, I suggest we stop the monkey shines and get serious. I have not seen that for many years.