Tribal Council Elections

Campaign Season is Here

After much thought, I’ve decided to throw my hat back in the ring and run for Tribal Council.

 For those who don’t know, a Tribal Council is the governing body of a Tribe. According to the code of a federal regulations, the definition of a Tribe is as follows:

 Tribal organization means the recognized governing body of any Indian Tribe; any legally established organization of Indians which is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by such governing body or which is democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian community to be served by such organization and which includes the maximum participation of Indians in all phases of its activities.

Now that you’re caught up on what a Tribal Council is, it’s official, the campaign season has begun. As of today, all candidates have paid their election fee and turned in their campaign letters. The campaign letter can be anything you want it to be, as long as it fits on one page. My letter covered a few of my ideas for the Tribe as well as some general observations, but mainly, I discussed a need of synergy and collective effort amongst our group.

Most people are running as solo candidates, but not us. I teamed up with a couple of exceptional Tribal members in their respective fields.

The purpose was to create a team of highly qualified and capable members. The following is an excerpt from my letter:

“This election, as much as I would like to be able to vote for everyone I like, that unfortunately isn’t an option. What is an option, is using our three votes in the most strategic way possible. By electing a group of people from all different families, who have a built-in collective synergy, we as a Tribe, stand to gain the most.”

Being a former Chairman of my Tribe, I’ve already served at the pleasure of the board back in 2012 for two consecutive terms.

The position can be extremely rewarding while quite difficult at times. As a Tribal leader sometimes, we have to make decisions on issues that directly affect distant relatives and friends. The hardest part of the job for me has always been deciding anything in relation to child protection or custodial rights. I’m definitely not looking forward to dealing with those matters.

 If I am successful in my election, I will be posting a monthly update on my life as a Council member. I hope this is something my subscribers will be interested in. Wish me luck!

As always, If you don’t know now you know, a Native!

Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist releases single for MMIW

Longtime Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Rickey Medlocke has released a solo single to raise awareness of the plight of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). Portions of the money raised by sales of Never Run Out Of Road will be donated to the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center (NIWRC), which campaigns to end the trafficking of Native American women. 

 According to the NIWRC, Native Americans are one of the most heavily affected demographics for both sex and labor trafficking, with 40% of women involved in sex trafficking overall identified as Native American or First Nations.

 Human Trafficking Search, which works to eliminate human trafficking worldwide, reveals that Native women are murdered at more than ten times the national average, while Non-Indians commit 88% of violent crimes against Native women. "Native women have been fetishized, bought, sold, and traded since the initial European colonization of the American continent," say the organization.   

 “I want to give back to my native community through Never Run Out Of Road," says Medlocke, "and I want to educate others on the MMIW crisis and empower people to get involved."

"Music has taken me from playing with my Granddad Shorty Medlocke to the early days of Lynyrd Skynyrd to Blackfoot and back to Skynyrd now for the last 28 years!”, he continues. “Writing and recording is always a part of this. The song Never Run Out Of Road includes lyrics relating to my past and ongoing life of touring."

 Medlocke is of Lakota Sioux and Cherokee ancestry, and was inducted into the Native American Music Hall of Fame in 2008. 

 The plight of MMIW north of the border has previously been raised by Canadian prog duo Crown Lands, whose End Of The Road shone a light on the many indigenous women, girls, and two-spirits who’ve gone missing or been murdered on the so-called Highway Of Tears, a 450-mile stretch of road between Prince George and Prince Rupert in British Columbia.  

See his video below:

Leslie Marmon Silko -Laguna Pueblo

Leslie Marmon Silko, a prominent figure in Native literature, stands out for her contributions that blend storytelling traditions with contemporary narrative forms. Born on March 5, 1948, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Silko hails from a mixed heritage of Laguna Pueblo.

 Raised on the Laguna Pueblo Reservation, her early life was steeped in the rich oral traditions of her people. This foundation played a crucial role in shaping her narrative style, characterized by a deep connection to the landscape and the storytelling traditions of the Laguna Pueblo people. Silko's education at a local Bureau of Indian Affairs school and later at the University of New Mexico, where she earned a Bachelor's degree, provided her with a diverse perspective that is evident in her writings.

 Silko's literary career began to flourish in the 1970s, a period marked by a resurgence of Native literature. Her debut publication, "Laguna Woman," in 1974, was a collection of poems that garnered significant attention for its lyrical fusion of Laguna myths and contemporary experiences. However, it was her novel "Ceremony," published in 1977, that firmly established her as a powerful voice in American literature. The novel, a groundbreaking work, explores themes of Tribal identity, cultural survival, and healing, resonating with readers globally.

 Silko's works often focus on the endurance and complexities of Native heritage in the modern world. Her narratives weave together elements of myth, folklore, and history, creating a tapestry that reflects the struggles and triumphs of Tribal peoples. Her other notable works include "Storyteller," a collection of stories and poems, and "Almanac of the Dead," a novel that delves into social and political issues affecting Natives.

 In addition to her literary achievements, Silko has been an outspoken advocate for environmental issues. Her essays and public speaking engagements often address the challenges faced by Tribal communities, particularly in relation to land rights and cultural preservation.

 Her contributions to literature and her advocacy for Native issues have been recognized with numerous awards and accolades. She received a MacArthur Foundation Grant, also known as the "Genius Grant," and her works are studied in academic institutions worldwide.

 Her legacy as a storyteller transcends her literary achievements. She has played a pivotal role in bringing Native narratives to a broader audience, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of Tribal cultures. Her work continues to inspire and influence writers and activists, making her one of the most respected and influential voices in contemporary Native American literature.

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Redwood Valley Little River Band of Pomo Indians

The Redwood Valley Little River Band of Pomo Indians (Redwood Valley Rancheria) is a federally recognized Indian tribe located in Redwood Valley, Mendocino County, California. For several thousand years the Tribe’s ancestors lived along the West Fork of the Russian River, located north of Calpella, CA. The Tribe interacted with other Pomo tribes located within the Russian River watershed, the Eel River watershed, and tribes found along the coasts of the Clearlake and the Pacific Ocean.

 Much was lost with the advancement of European settlers before and after the California Goldrush.  In 1908 Redwood Valley Rancheria was established as a home for "Homeless Indians." However, In 1958 the United States Congress terminated Redwood Valley Rancheria and many other tribes by enacting the California Rancheria Termination Act. In 1983 this act was declared illegal as a result of the Tillie Hardwick, et al. v. United States of America, et al. Case. Redwood Valley Rancheria and many other rancherias had their tribal status restored.

 The Redwood Valley Little River Band of Pomo Indians is a sovereign indian tribe with the powers of self-governance. Its tribal members elect a Tribal Council which acts as the governing body. The Council is authorized to write and enact ordinances and resolutions, conduct tribal business, and perform other actions that are commonly delegated to local governments.

​Today, Redwood Valley Rancheria has 159 acres of land in trust. It manages a wide array of social, educational, environmental and infrastructure programs. Click on the menu above to find out more about these programs.

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