Tuesday, June 30, 2009
"TOBY09" Officially Underway
All,
Well, it's official. I am a 2009 Tribal Council candidate. One of 18, might I add. It seems as though many others are looking for change also.
I have distributed t-shirts, campaign cards and my first mail-out letter is on the way. I have signs printed and have made contact with many concerned Tribal members in the past several months.
I do not know where I will stand as far as accumulating votes but it is a risk I am willing to take for the betterment of our people. I am concerned but I am also confident in the members of this tribe. I believe them when they tell me they want change. I believe in them to make it happen.
Whether it is me or not, I believe change will come this year. Change is the only thing that will cure the inefficiencies and injustices of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. I believe in the membership. Now I ask that the membership believe in me.
I appreciate all of the encouragement so far and any support you may have for me in the future.
Sincerely,
Toby McClary
Well, it's official. I am a 2009 Tribal Council candidate. One of 18, might I add. It seems as though many others are looking for change also.
I have distributed t-shirts, campaign cards and my first mail-out letter is on the way. I have signs printed and have made contact with many concerned Tribal members in the past several months.
I do not know where I will stand as far as accumulating votes but it is a risk I am willing to take for the betterment of our people. I am concerned but I am also confident in the members of this tribe. I believe them when they tell me they want change. I believe in them to make it happen.
Whether it is me or not, I believe change will come this year. Change is the only thing that will cure the inefficiencies and injustices of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. I believe in the membership. Now I ask that the membership believe in me.
I appreciate all of the encouragement so far and any support you may have for me in the future.
Sincerely,
Toby McClary
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Offensive Letter/My Response
In the Wednesday, June 10th edition of the Sheridan Sun, a lady from Sheridan published the following letter to the editor:
Memories on Memorial Day - When I was growing up I learned that God Almighty created us...that we are to know Him, love Him and serve Him, and then to be happy with Him forever in heaven.
Further I learned that our Constitution was formed primarily to protect us from all enemies, foreign and domestic... that we are all created equal in our needs and rights... one nation, under Almighty God... with liberty and justice for all.
The deceased heroes and the living military heroes are still honored, especially on Memorial Day, and rightfully so.
But our government, especially here in Oregon, starting with Senator Hatfield, has created domestic enemies among us and indulges them with unequal, anti-constitutional and unjust powers government created.
Do the citizens of Grand Ronde remember that in the year 1951 the Tribe requested termination of the federal wardship? They were proud of themselves then - could stand on their own, could drink alcoholic beverages - removed the last vestiges of discrimination against them by paying taxes like everybody else. Do they remember and memorialize that?
There is no more equal treatment for the rest of us now wherever tribal reservations exist. HUD monies go by the billions for tribal housing, etc. ODOT monies go to close off direct access into 25 year old Ft. Hill Restaurant, gas station and mini mart now. If you can figure out before you arrive in front of these businesses just how and when to get in there, they may survive - we all know that closing off is unfair devised by Oregon government, Polk County and ODOT - and that the new four lane Highway 18 that closes off those businesses bottlenecks unsafely down to a two lane Ft. Hill bridge. Then for more than half mile it's two lanes. Coincidentally, there is only one place to get anything to eat, or gasoline, between Salem and the coast... the casino!
Also look at the Hwy. 18 entrance to Grand Ronde Road and see that ODOT/Polk county/Tribal government, without permission from Bonanza Antiques owner, have stolen the Bonanza's "grandfathered in" first entrance to their store.
There is a banner of protest by the Franzen's Bonanza, a 16 ft. long sign. While our tax dollars pay for the closure of the entrance by government , the Franzens are to pay themselves to have the closure removed.
Several of our government people will be in Grand Ronde on Memorial Day. They are to represent all citizens. Will the ungodly power of the Tribe keep them from seeing Bonanza's sign? Or doing anything about it?
Now I am growing older, Almighty God is still the creator of all of us, but the Constitution is not government's pride anymore. The casino unequally pays no taxes, yet most employees do. We should memorialize with pride the tribe's 1951 action.
Kathy Thole
Sheridan
In the Wednesday, June 17th edition of the Sheridan Sun, I responded to Ms. Thole with the following to the editor:
Dear Kathy Thole,
In 1951, there were many governed laws that kept the Indians of Grand Ronde from acting as a member of society. There were many laws that prevented them from doing what non-Indian people could do. I ask you, Ms. Thole, in 1951 were you there supporting those Indians and publically stating your position for them to be able to act as the other members of our community? Since you take such a strong stance on equality, was it fair for the Indian people of Grand Ronde in 1951 to be treated differently than you were treated?
I found your letter to be offensive and full of inaccuracies. But that should not come as a surprise as you have been in opposition of the Tribe’s success for a long time. You opposed the Tribe’s Restoration, you opposed the Tribe acquiring Reservation land and you have verbally attacked many Tribal members through the years. I will choose to take the “high road” and not verbally attack you. However, I think your letter was hypocritical.
I believe that our Creator did create us all equal and would never be in support of prejudice. If you truly believe that our government officials are being discriminatory or behaving with prejudice, I suggest you send a letter to them. Your actions are no better than what you are accusing them of.
In closing, I would like to say that my ancestors would be proud of where the Tribe is today, just as I am. I hope one day, Ms. Thole, you can find pride and a sense of belonging. It’s a peaceful feeling.
Sincerely,
Toby McClary
A proud member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
Memories on Memorial Day - When I was growing up I learned that God Almighty created us...that we are to know Him, love Him and serve Him, and then to be happy with Him forever in heaven.
Further I learned that our Constitution was formed primarily to protect us from all enemies, foreign and domestic... that we are all created equal in our needs and rights... one nation, under Almighty God... with liberty and justice for all.
The deceased heroes and the living military heroes are still honored, especially on Memorial Day, and rightfully so.
But our government, especially here in Oregon, starting with Senator Hatfield, has created domestic enemies among us and indulges them with unequal, anti-constitutional and unjust powers government created.
Do the citizens of Grand Ronde remember that in the year 1951 the Tribe requested termination of the federal wardship? They were proud of themselves then - could stand on their own, could drink alcoholic beverages - removed the last vestiges of discrimination against them by paying taxes like everybody else. Do they remember and memorialize that?
There is no more equal treatment for the rest of us now wherever tribal reservations exist. HUD monies go by the billions for tribal housing, etc. ODOT monies go to close off direct access into 25 year old Ft. Hill Restaurant, gas station and mini mart now. If you can figure out before you arrive in front of these businesses just how and when to get in there, they may survive - we all know that closing off is unfair devised by Oregon government, Polk County and ODOT - and that the new four lane Highway 18 that closes off those businesses bottlenecks unsafely down to a two lane Ft. Hill bridge. Then for more than half mile it's two lanes. Coincidentally, there is only one place to get anything to eat, or gasoline, between Salem and the coast... the casino!
Also look at the Hwy. 18 entrance to Grand Ronde Road and see that ODOT/Polk county/Tribal government, without permission from Bonanza Antiques owner, have stolen the Bonanza's "grandfathered in" first entrance to their store.
There is a banner of protest by the Franzen's Bonanza, a 16 ft. long sign. While our tax dollars pay for the closure of the entrance by government , the Franzens are to pay themselves to have the closure removed.
Several of our government people will be in Grand Ronde on Memorial Day. They are to represent all citizens. Will the ungodly power of the Tribe keep them from seeing Bonanza's sign? Or doing anything about it?
Now I am growing older, Almighty God is still the creator of all of us, but the Constitution is not government's pride anymore. The casino unequally pays no taxes, yet most employees do. We should memorialize with pride the tribe's 1951 action.
Kathy Thole
Sheridan
In the Wednesday, June 17th edition of the Sheridan Sun, I responded to Ms. Thole with the following to the editor:
Dear Kathy Thole,
In 1951, there were many governed laws that kept the Indians of Grand Ronde from acting as a member of society. There were many laws that prevented them from doing what non-Indian people could do. I ask you, Ms. Thole, in 1951 were you there supporting those Indians and publically stating your position for them to be able to act as the other members of our community? Since you take such a strong stance on equality, was it fair for the Indian people of Grand Ronde in 1951 to be treated differently than you were treated?
I found your letter to be offensive and full of inaccuracies. But that should not come as a surprise as you have been in opposition of the Tribe’s success for a long time. You opposed the Tribe’s Restoration, you opposed the Tribe acquiring Reservation land and you have verbally attacked many Tribal members through the years. I will choose to take the “high road” and not verbally attack you. However, I think your letter was hypocritical.
I believe that our Creator did create us all equal and would never be in support of prejudice. If you truly believe that our government officials are being discriminatory or behaving with prejudice, I suggest you send a letter to them. Your actions are no better than what you are accusing them of.
In closing, I would like to say that my ancestors would be proud of where the Tribe is today, just as I am. I hope one day, Ms. Thole, you can find pride and a sense of belonging. It’s a peaceful feeling.
Sincerely,
Toby McClary
A proud member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Back to Accountability
I continue to hear the words “ethics” and “accountability” come up in conversation whether it be a private discussion or in a public forum. It is obvious that Tribal Members find these issues to be a very serious matter. It was recently pointed out to me that there is a Tribal Ethical Standards Ordinance of which I obtained a copy and read thoroughly. It states the following on page two of the ordinance:
The Tribal membership judges its government by the way Tribal Officials conduct themselves in the positions to which they are elected or appointed.
Tribal members have a right to expect that every Tribal Official will conduct himself or herself in a manner that will tend to preserve public confidence in and respect for the Tribal government.
Such confidence and respect can best be promoted if every Tribal Official, whether paid or unpaid, and whether elected or appointed, will uniformly: (i) treat both Tribal members and members of the non-Tribal public with courtesy; (ii) carry out the duties of their position with impartiality, fairness and equality under the law; (iii) avoid both actual and potential conflicts between their private self-interest and the public interest.
There are then two full pages of “Standards of Conduct” followed by two full pages of procedures that a complainant would have to follow in order to file a complaint. What I find interesting is that the complaint would be given to the Tribal Council Secretary, the Tribal Council Chairperson and the Legal Team. After that point, it would be determined whether or not there is any validity to the complaint and if there is, a hearing would then be pursued. It seems to me that it would be a conflict of interest to have a team of people that report directly to the Tribal Council investigate the complaint and be in charge of whether or not the complaint should be taken to the next step. If the Legal Team decided to take it to the next step, their findings would then be turned over to Tribal Council where they would then vote on an “appropriate” sanction for the guilty person(s). It appears that there are too many holes in the system we now have in place.
I do believe there are some possible solutions to this broken ordinance however I don’t feel like there are any “short-term” solutions. I feel like the processes need to be simplified and the conflicts of interest need to be removed. And there is only one group of people that can make that happen. Until this ordinance is fixed, we all need to vote in who we believe to be the most ethical choices for Tribal Council.
The Tribal membership judges its government by the way Tribal Officials conduct themselves in the positions to which they are elected or appointed.
Tribal members have a right to expect that every Tribal Official will conduct himself or herself in a manner that will tend to preserve public confidence in and respect for the Tribal government.
Such confidence and respect can best be promoted if every Tribal Official, whether paid or unpaid, and whether elected or appointed, will uniformly: (i) treat both Tribal members and members of the non-Tribal public with courtesy; (ii) carry out the duties of their position with impartiality, fairness and equality under the law; (iii) avoid both actual and potential conflicts between their private self-interest and the public interest.
There are then two full pages of “Standards of Conduct” followed by two full pages of procedures that a complainant would have to follow in order to file a complaint. What I find interesting is that the complaint would be given to the Tribal Council Secretary, the Tribal Council Chairperson and the Legal Team. After that point, it would be determined whether or not there is any validity to the complaint and if there is, a hearing would then be pursued. It seems to me that it would be a conflict of interest to have a team of people that report directly to the Tribal Council investigate the complaint and be in charge of whether or not the complaint should be taken to the next step. If the Legal Team decided to take it to the next step, their findings would then be turned over to Tribal Council where they would then vote on an “appropriate” sanction for the guilty person(s). It appears that there are too many holes in the system we now have in place.
I do believe there are some possible solutions to this broken ordinance however I don’t feel like there are any “short-term” solutions. I feel like the processes need to be simplified and the conflicts of interest need to be removed. And there is only one group of people that can make that happen. Until this ordinance is fixed, we all need to vote in who we believe to be the most ethical choices for Tribal Council.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Grand Ronde @ Spirit Mountain?
I was hired on at Spirit Mountain Casino in June of 1996. I was introduced to many people as we opened one of the first expansions of the casino, Legends Restaurant. I remember going through new-hire orientation and listening about our tribe's history as we were given a clear explanation as to why the casino was built and what it meant to not only our tribe but Indian Country as a whole.
I remember the reaction of those who hadn't already known that information, the history and heritage and the conversations that took place about the tribe and it's future. I grew up in Grand Ronde so I was an easy source of information for those who had further questions. There were many individuals who wanted more and felt that the tribe's history was very rich and found the culture to be very interesting. When I was recognized in my department as a Tribal Member (at that time, I was the only one), I was bombarded with questions and dialogue and it was apparent that these non-tribal employees were hungry for information. I did my best to answer but I am no historian.
After several months of coworkers picking my brain about the tribe, it was obvious that they had begun to take some pride in where they worked and who they worked for. I believe that they were proud to become part of the Grand Ronde family. I feel they had a sense of belonging and they understood where Grand Ronde had come from. They understood that Grand Ronde was terminated, restored and were now paving the path to self-sufficiency for the entire tribe and it's members. They were happy to contribute. I would start seeing them at tribal functions such as our annual pow-wows, fundraisers and community events. They were proud to be part of something. They were proud to help pave our path.
In November of 2003, I was hired on with the Public Information Department at the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. I said goodbye to the family I had grown with for seven years. I worked in the Public Information Department for four years and then decided to pursue a career opportunity back at the casino.
When I went through new hire orientation this time, I noticed there was no information regarding the tribe and it's history. There was nothing to explain our heritage and nothing to describe what our ancestors had gone through to help secure our future. There was nothing to help explain to those in attendance why they were there, other than a job. To me, we had now become "just another company."
With that being said, it would be easy for non-tribal employees to become frustrated with benefits such as per capita, tribal hiring preference and free healthcare. It would be easy because they wouldn't understand where the tribe came from, the three decades it took to re-establish our identity and the path to self-sufficiency that the casino was built to help pave. A lack of understanding and education is a potential potion for discrimination. Tribal Members only make up about 10% of the casino's workforce. Tribal Members are the minority at Spirit Mountain. We need to share our story with the entire workforce at Spirit Mountain Casino. We need casino employees to be proud of where they work and who they work for.
Let's bring Grand Ronde back to Spirit Mountain.
I remember the reaction of those who hadn't already known that information, the history and heritage and the conversations that took place about the tribe and it's future. I grew up in Grand Ronde so I was an easy source of information for those who had further questions. There were many individuals who wanted more and felt that the tribe's history was very rich and found the culture to be very interesting. When I was recognized in my department as a Tribal Member (at that time, I was the only one), I was bombarded with questions and dialogue and it was apparent that these non-tribal employees were hungry for information. I did my best to answer but I am no historian.
After several months of coworkers picking my brain about the tribe, it was obvious that they had begun to take some pride in where they worked and who they worked for. I believe that they were proud to become part of the Grand Ronde family. I feel they had a sense of belonging and they understood where Grand Ronde had come from. They understood that Grand Ronde was terminated, restored and were now paving the path to self-sufficiency for the entire tribe and it's members. They were happy to contribute. I would start seeing them at tribal functions such as our annual pow-wows, fundraisers and community events. They were proud to be part of something. They were proud to help pave our path.
In November of 2003, I was hired on with the Public Information Department at the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. I said goodbye to the family I had grown with for seven years. I worked in the Public Information Department for four years and then decided to pursue a career opportunity back at the casino.
When I went through new hire orientation this time, I noticed there was no information regarding the tribe and it's history. There was nothing to explain our heritage and nothing to describe what our ancestors had gone through to help secure our future. There was nothing to help explain to those in attendance why they were there, other than a job. To me, we had now become "just another company."
With that being said, it would be easy for non-tribal employees to become frustrated with benefits such as per capita, tribal hiring preference and free healthcare. It would be easy because they wouldn't understand where the tribe came from, the three decades it took to re-establish our identity and the path to self-sufficiency that the casino was built to help pave. A lack of understanding and education is a potential potion for discrimination. Tribal Members only make up about 10% of the casino's workforce. Tribal Members are the minority at Spirit Mountain. We need to share our story with the entire workforce at Spirit Mountain Casino. We need casino employees to be proud of where they work and who they work for.
Let's bring Grand Ronde back to Spirit Mountain.
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