Tuesday in Legislative Action Committee Tribal Council discussed the Public Records Ordinance, and even voted to move the potentially new law on to a first reading at our next Wednesday night meeting. As we’ve seen in the past, a first reading is by no means a guarantee that anything becomes Tribal law, but at least membership get to take a gander, and unlike our formerly new Ethics Ordinance, know what exactly I was writing about in Tilixum Wawa.
Provided Council doesn’t flip-flop between now and May 2nd, unfortunately always a real possibility, that document (the Public Records Ordinance) will be available for members to peruse. What they’ll see is a law that lays out what they are able to see, and what they can’t see. It probably won’t satisfy everybody, in fact I personally would have loosened things up a bit had the decision rested solely on my shoulders, but at least we now have a starting point.
What I hope this ordinance does is plant a certain seed in the minds of many Tribal members. That seed, if anybody wonders, is curiosity. While we commonly think of curiosity as killing the cat, I prefer to think of curiosity as the trait which fuels the desire to learn, adventure and experiment. Some of our greatest inventions are the product of curiosity, as are stories by investigative journalists, books by historians, and who knows what else.
The point I’m trying to make is that seeking the truth tends to be very enlightening in ways both satisfying and shocking. I don’t mean that in some sort of philosophical or spiritual way. No, I mean it in the everyday way.
Most Tribal members, I fear, probably aren’t aware that over the last year Tribal Council has started a number of practices that could mean a whole lot more twenty years from now than they do in the present day. A number of them stem from our work with ECONorthwest, which despite what you may hear from others on Tribal Council I still consider the source of very good advice, while others were generated out of the collective thinking of us nine.
The most notable of course is our new approach to record-keeping and transparency. We began our new operating procedures one year ago, and the biggest differences have been in restricting Tribal Council to only two meeting days per week, Tuesday and Thursday, and of taking minutes (that is official notes and summaries) of each and every meeting we hold. Most importantly, we actually record all meetings in which there is no motion for Executive Session.
I suppose if you’re not on Council that might sound rather insubstantial, but from my point of view it has been quite the opposite. What is happening now is a well-kept summary on the deliberations by Tribal Council on every major decision we make. Not only written accounts, but audio versions as well. Tribal members can actually listen to the conversations we have.
One month ago I tried unsuccessfully for a third time to get Tribal Council to agree to record even our Executive Sessions. Like I expected, the idea went down in flames, evidently too many on Council are still paranoid about recordings of key issues like our off-reservation gaming strategy being leaked out, like we don’t have a problem with with leaking already. But I still felt it worth a shot, even if under some sort of provision like those recordings would be available maybe a year or two later, kind of like how the FBI declassifies some documents after a certain amount of time has passed. My reasoning was simply that in the future Tribal members who really want to know what happened would have an avenue to seek the truth, no matter how tedious and long-winded. Plus, with so many of our meetings being open to the public and with so many Tribal members living outside of Grand Ronde, audio recordings seemed the next best thing.
Part of my reason also is that as we delve further into the inevitable enrollment issue, I find myself more and more wishing to have been a fly on the wall during 1998 and 1999, when much of the discussion that lead to the Grand Ronde’s only Constitutional amendment took place. You see, even after having talked with numerous key players from that era, I still remain unsatisfied with what versions have been told me. For as unpopular and obviously monumental that decision was, I haven’t seen much owning up to it. I’ve heard very few people who figured prominently in that decision ever produce a comprehensive explanation, at least not publicly. Yet obviously somebody drove it, or else it wouldn’t have happened.
So in a lot of ways, I guess my goal really is to know who was responsible for what, and why certain decisions were made that in hindsight seem wrong. This isn’t necessarily an issue of giving membership an opportunity to know that truth. It’s also about holding people accountable for decisions.
I hope more people take the time to listen to recordings of our meetings and work sessions. Often the truth of most matters, and by this I really mean the logic behind some decisions, is convoluted, and sometimes very odd. Some times what is said in a public Wednesday night meeting is vastly different from what was said behind closed doors in Council chambers. I’ll never be comfortable with that.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Saturday, April 21, 2007
In my spare time
Just being on Council has almost forced me into the habit of looking at the pros and cons, the plusses and minuses, and to really simplify, the good and bad of just about everything. I think that stems from the fact that we are end, as we should really, to put a lot of consideration into all of our decisions, regardless of magnitude or lack thereof. There are times I still find those issues weighing on my mind even in the wee hours of morning (probably thinking about them constantly has something to do with my being awake at the wee hours).
Just the sheer mental drain of deliberating and dwelling on work-related issues, in addition to the gobs of reports and memorandums we peruse, tends to cut into what was previously one of my favorite hobbies besides travel, reading. Like travel, whether you do it for pleasure or for work makes a huge difference in the amount satisfaction gotten. Whereas I was good for three of fours books per month p.c. (pre-Council), my reading appetite now gets by on one. Being ever the fan of variety, I usually alternate fiction and non-fiction. Here is what I’ve read recently:
“Creation” by Gore Vidal
Aside from James Michener’s “Hawaii” or Norman Mailer’s “Ancient Evenings”, I’ve not read much historical fiction, which is odd considering my fascination with history. This was also the first book I’ve read of Vidal’s, once again odd since I made it almost a life’s goal to read at least one book from every prominent writer of the modern era. At nearly 600 pages, the length of this book did little to keep me from being engrossed. Basically, “Creation” follows the life of Cyrus Spitama, a half-Greek, half-Persian priest of some old and forgotten religion. His life takes place during the 5th century, and as an ambassador of the Persian empire he has the good fortune to witness the major political events of what was then considered the center of the world. He is sent to old India and China (called Cathay in old times) to help try and create what would eventually become the legendary Silk Road. Evidently, around this time not only were Confucius and Buddha still kicking around, but so were Xerxes, Pericles, and Sophocles. Cyrus meets and gets to know almost all of them. What makes “Creation” so fascinating is not only the personalities, but the fact that if true, and I get the impression Vidal must have done an exhausting amount of research to write this, politics back then were not all that different than today, not only in Grand Ronde, but everywhere.
“The Science of Good and Evil” by Micheal Shermer
Call me an oddball, but psychology and human behavior absolutely fascinate me, enough to where over the last few years I’ve read probably half a dozen or so books on the subject. This book was my latest, and having been published in 2006 is one of the newer books I’ve gone through. Just as a note, the book that truly sparked my fascination with this was Robert Wright’s “The Moral Animal”, which I would recommend for anyone who wants a read that at times is so startling and powerful one has to pause after some paragraphs just to accept and ponder what was just written. Shermer’s book isn’t quite as shocking, but there are some chapters that truly engross the reader. There are also points he makes on some of today’s most sensitive issues, like animal rights, infidelity, and the role of religion in government the genuinely cause you to sit up and say “Gee, I never really thought of it that way before!”. All in all, worth your time if you have a real interest in sociology and/or psychology.
Film
I hardly watch television. Discovery Channel’s “Planet Earth” series recently forced me to make a habit of plopping down for two hours every Sunday night, but other than that few shows other than “Survivor”, “The Simpsons”, or Oregon Ducks Football and Basketball will lure me to the couch, or in my household, papasans. Most of my T.V. time is passed making use of my Netflix and Blockbuster D.V.D. subscriptions. I also occasionally drive on down to the theater.
If anybody is interested…
“300”
Okay, this is a film with probably more appeal to men than women. Nonetheless, this is the definition of entertainment. I love that more filmmakers are going for style points in their movies. And I also appreciate that there is little reluctance to go over the top these days, with a wink. “300” does all that in recounting a comic book, oops…I mean graphic novel version of the battle at Thermopylae in old Greece. For whatever it’s worth, I inadvertently was reading “Creation” at the time this movie came out, which of course deals with the Persian empire and Xerxes, whom the Spartans were fighting in this movie. One of those odd coincidences I suppose.
“The Prestige”
A rivalry between fictional magicians in late 19th century London is a pretty narrow subject, but this film keeps you quite interested. Of course, I’ve liked most movies that had either Hugh Jackman or Christian Bale. More importantly, the director here, Christopher Nolan, has made some of my most favorite movies this century, like “Memento”, “Insomnia”, and “Batman Begins”. Strangest of all, David Bowie plays that famous scientist Tesla. That’s right, David Bowie.
Just the sheer mental drain of deliberating and dwelling on work-related issues, in addition to the gobs of reports and memorandums we peruse, tends to cut into what was previously one of my favorite hobbies besides travel, reading. Like travel, whether you do it for pleasure or for work makes a huge difference in the amount satisfaction gotten. Whereas I was good for three of fours books per month p.c. (pre-Council), my reading appetite now gets by on one. Being ever the fan of variety, I usually alternate fiction and non-fiction. Here is what I’ve read recently:
“Creation” by Gore Vidal
Aside from James Michener’s “Hawaii” or Norman Mailer’s “Ancient Evenings”, I’ve not read much historical fiction, which is odd considering my fascination with history. This was also the first book I’ve read of Vidal’s, once again odd since I made it almost a life’s goal to read at least one book from every prominent writer of the modern era. At nearly 600 pages, the length of this book did little to keep me from being engrossed. Basically, “Creation” follows the life of Cyrus Spitama, a half-Greek, half-Persian priest of some old and forgotten religion. His life takes place during the 5th century, and as an ambassador of the Persian empire he has the good fortune to witness the major political events of what was then considered the center of the world. He is sent to old India and China (called Cathay in old times) to help try and create what would eventually become the legendary Silk Road. Evidently, around this time not only were Confucius and Buddha still kicking around, but so were Xerxes, Pericles, and Sophocles. Cyrus meets and gets to know almost all of them. What makes “Creation” so fascinating is not only the personalities, but the fact that if true, and I get the impression Vidal must have done an exhausting amount of research to write this, politics back then were not all that different than today, not only in Grand Ronde, but everywhere.
“The Science of Good and Evil” by Micheal Shermer
Call me an oddball, but psychology and human behavior absolutely fascinate me, enough to where over the last few years I’ve read probably half a dozen or so books on the subject. This book was my latest, and having been published in 2006 is one of the newer books I’ve gone through. Just as a note, the book that truly sparked my fascination with this was Robert Wright’s “The Moral Animal”, which I would recommend for anyone who wants a read that at times is so startling and powerful one has to pause after some paragraphs just to accept and ponder what was just written. Shermer’s book isn’t quite as shocking, but there are some chapters that truly engross the reader. There are also points he makes on some of today’s most sensitive issues, like animal rights, infidelity, and the role of religion in government the genuinely cause you to sit up and say “Gee, I never really thought of it that way before!”. All in all, worth your time if you have a real interest in sociology and/or psychology.
Film
I hardly watch television. Discovery Channel’s “Planet Earth” series recently forced me to make a habit of plopping down for two hours every Sunday night, but other than that few shows other than “Survivor”, “The Simpsons”, or Oregon Ducks Football and Basketball will lure me to the couch, or in my household, papasans. Most of my T.V. time is passed making use of my Netflix and Blockbuster D.V.D. subscriptions. I also occasionally drive on down to the theater.
If anybody is interested…
“300”
Okay, this is a film with probably more appeal to men than women. Nonetheless, this is the definition of entertainment. I love that more filmmakers are going for style points in their movies. And I also appreciate that there is little reluctance to go over the top these days, with a wink. “300” does all that in recounting a comic book, oops…I mean graphic novel version of the battle at Thermopylae in old Greece. For whatever it’s worth, I inadvertently was reading “Creation” at the time this movie came out, which of course deals with the Persian empire and Xerxes, whom the Spartans were fighting in this movie. One of those odd coincidences I suppose.
“The Prestige”
A rivalry between fictional magicians in late 19th century London is a pretty narrow subject, but this film keeps you quite interested. Of course, I’ve liked most movies that had either Hugh Jackman or Christian Bale. More importantly, the director here, Christopher Nolan, has made some of my most favorite movies this century, like “Memento”, “Insomnia”, and “Batman Begins”. Strangest of all, David Bowie plays that famous scientist Tesla. That’s right, David Bowie.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Why a blog?
That is probably the question that just about everybody who goes on to this website will be asking. Good question, too. The simple answer of course is "Why not?" With a Tribe of 5000 spread out across nearly all 50 states, probably close to a dozen countries, the internet of course is the ideal way to communicate. I say this fully aware that not everybody has internet access, much less a computer. But the reality is that the percentage of people who are in the process of securing both is growing quickly and vastly. Within 20 years, probably even 5 or 10, the number of individuals online and active will greatly outnumber those not, and you need be neither prophet nor media expert to predict that.
Truth be told though, I have wanted to create my own website for a couple of years now. In fact upon being elected I had grand visions of starting one. But that of course was before learning the sheer amount of time that occupies one's life in becoming a Council member. Last summer I tried pushing for blogs for Council members as the Tribe's website was nearing a launch date, but obviously had there been support it would have happened. So after regularly perusing the blogging world the last few months, I realized that the process was really very easy. More importantly, I realized that if this meant so much to me I would have to just proceed on my own. So here you are.
Of course I am also aware that there are already two existing interactive websites pertaining the community of Grand Ronde: Grand Ronde On-Line and Grand Ronde Rez News. I have in the past contributed heavily to Grand Ronde On-Line, not so heavily to Rez News. One site has been very helpful and informative. The other seems at times to have been created to mudsling, misinform, and confuse issues. I am not going to say which is which, but people who go on those sites regularly could tell you easily.
There are three if you count the Tribe's actual newly revamped website. I have a hard time counting it like GROL and RezNews because there is not much in the way of interactive communication, like a message board or blogs, and the site could be updated more quickly. In the future there will likely be those kinds of features on that website, I am certain, but for now the website is indeed still a work in progress. I am not faulting staff for that, because they do work hard, but there really is a lot to consider logistically when building a website as potentially large as CTGR's. The whole thing was a learning experience for every person involved.
So I guess back to the original question: Why a blog? Because Tribal members need more interaction with their Council, and eachother for that matter. And because communication, ever the contentious issue, is a lot easier than people think.
Chris Mercier
Truth be told though, I have wanted to create my own website for a couple of years now. In fact upon being elected I had grand visions of starting one. But that of course was before learning the sheer amount of time that occupies one's life in becoming a Council member. Last summer I tried pushing for blogs for Council members as the Tribe's website was nearing a launch date, but obviously had there been support it would have happened. So after regularly perusing the blogging world the last few months, I realized that the process was really very easy. More importantly, I realized that if this meant so much to me I would have to just proceed on my own. So here you are.
Of course I am also aware that there are already two existing interactive websites pertaining the community of Grand Ronde: Grand Ronde On-Line and Grand Ronde Rez News. I have in the past contributed heavily to Grand Ronde On-Line, not so heavily to Rez News. One site has been very helpful and informative. The other seems at times to have been created to mudsling, misinform, and confuse issues. I am not going to say which is which, but people who go on those sites regularly could tell you easily.
There are three if you count the Tribe's actual newly revamped website. I have a hard time counting it like GROL and RezNews because there is not much in the way of interactive communication, like a message board or blogs, and the site could be updated more quickly. In the future there will likely be those kinds of features on that website, I am certain, but for now the website is indeed still a work in progress. I am not faulting staff for that, because they do work hard, but there really is a lot to consider logistically when building a website as potentially large as CTGR's. The whole thing was a learning experience for every person involved.
So I guess back to the original question: Why a blog? Because Tribal members need more interaction with their Council, and eachother for that matter. And because communication, ever the contentious issue, is a lot easier than people think.
Chris Mercier
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