The Waiting Game

Through the month of July and the first three weeks of August, the "TOBY09" Campaign kept me on the run, to put it modestly. It seemed as if I was receiving a number of emails every day. On top of responding to emails, I would also get phone calls from concerned Tribal Members asking my opinion on certain issues and wanting to know what I could do to help if I were elected. Then there was the two (and sometimes more) hours I would spend on the computer daily to check some of the other candidate's websites and to read the posts written on public blog sites by the Tribal Members themselves. Attending local events is obviously a given. The Tribal Council meetings on Wednesday nights are a must. (If you're a Tribal Council candidate and you're not attending the Tribal Council meetings, I have to question your sincerity and your commitment.) Anyhow, trying to meet with Tribal Members I do not know was challenging but I also felt it should be attempted. Meeting with Tribal members I do know was another obvious commitment and was a good way to become familiar with some of the most concerning issues. In addition to everything listed above, I had to write my letters, hang up signs and design my postcards, campaign cards and t-shirts.

Now, I haven't listed all of the things I have done as part of my campaign but this gives you a good idea of the time commitment that this has been for me and my family. I did not mention the hurt feelings caused by my lack of participation in family events due to the rigorous campaign trail. That is probably a whole new blog in itself.

Since the Grand Ronde Pow-wow, it seems as though things have completely died. As if there is no longer an election going on. I receive no emails, no phone calls and my time on the computer has been cut in half. I see no other candidates campaigning and the public blog sites have turned more into private conversations among Tribal Members. Maybe this is happening because everyone has already voted and now they are just waiting to hear the results. Maybe it's happening because the last three weeks of an election have traditionally been just a waiting game.

Well, as many of you know, I have not ran the "TOBY09" Campaign as many have ran theirs in the past and I'm not about to start now. I am going to attempt to keep this election alive through these next couple of weeks. I am a "walk-in" voter and a lot can happen in two and-a-half weeks. I will continue to post blogs on this site and I am going to post some more video. It doesn't have to end like this and I don't believe it should.

Please don't stop emailing me or calling me. For the rest of you "walk-in" voters, this is a perfect period of time to see who is still working and who is now playing the waiting game. (That might show a bit of character...)

Thank you for reading and remember, "TOBY09".

What Is Grand Ronde Blood?

The question "What is Grand Ronde blood?" is one that has come up on several occasions during my candidacy. I heard it asked rhetorically at the Candidate Forum held in Portland, Oregon. Most recently it was asked of all the candidates present at the Candidate Forum in Grand Ronde on Saturday, August 15, 2009.

I was disappointed, embarrassed and ashamed of my answer, or the lack there of. I was unable to answer the question and stated that I would have to do some research to give a definitive answer. I do feel that my response was at least honest and I didn't try to fabricate an answer. However, I should know the definition of Grand Ronde blood. This is something that has been haunting me ever since it was asked.

So, you all can bet I did my research and I now know the answer. As it states in the Tribal Constitution, the definition of Grand Ronde blood is "All Indian blood derived from a direct ancestor whose name validly appears on the official tribal membership roll prepared under the Grand Ronde Restoration Act." Again, that is the definition as it is stated in our Tribal Constitution.

Now, I've been putting a lot of thought into the question as it was asked by the attendee at the forum. As I recall, it was actually phrased "What is your definition of Grand Ronde blood?" As you can imagine, I've also researched within myself for the answer to that specific question.

To me, Grand Ronde blood is the fuel for my fire. It is what drives my passion and reminds me that I have a responsibility to the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Grand Ronde blood is what my ancestors passed down to me to help guide me and to help the tribe prosper. It is what runs through my veins and reminds me of my heritage and the cultures of our people. Grand Ronde blood is what keeps me pushing forward and helps me to help us all.

That is my definition of Grand Ronde blood. Rest assured that if this question comes up again I will be firing on all cylinders.

Thank you for reading and remember, "TOBY09".

"GROHL" Endorsement

As some of you already know and for those who do not, I was one of three candidates elected in a primary held by "Grand Ronde for Open and Honest Leadership" (GROHL). All 18 candidates were eligible for their endorsement. GROHL has already hosted two Candidate Forums. One was in Portland, Oregon and the other in Sisters, Oregon. There is one more on Saturday, August 15, 2009. It will be held at St. Michael's Church in Grand Ronde and begins at 3:00 p.m.

On the day of nominations, GROHL also sent all 18 candidates home with a questionnaire that contained 10 questions. The questionnaires were due back to them on July 19, 2009. After the footage of the two forums and the answers to the questionnaires were posted online, members of GROHL then had until August 5, 2009 to vote for three of the candidates they wanted to support. The results for those that received votes are as follows:

1. Toby McClary (39)
2. Perri McDaniel (23)
3. Shelley Hanson (22)
4. Denise Harvey (20)
5. April Campbell (15)
6. Jackie Many Hides (10)
7. Cheryle Kennedy (7)
8. Michael Bolton (3)
9. Debbie Marrington (2)
10. Sam Henney (1)
11. Val Sheker (1)
12. Stanley Jeffers (1)
(48 of 68 members casted votes)

The "TOBY09" Campaign is still going strong. As I've said in the past, I have no idea where I will come in as far as accumulating votes. I am hopeful and the majority of the feedback I receive is positive. I wish all of the candidates the best of luck but my campaign is still my focus.

I would like to thank GROHL and all of its members for having a primary as I think it is very important. I would also like to thank those who participated and especially those who voted for me and support me beyond the primary.

Thank you for reading and remember, "TOBY09".

Political Dirt

As the "TOBY09" Campaign continues through the 2009 Election Season, most of the feedback I receive is very positive. Many people contact me and would like to know what they can do to help. I also receive many encouraging and motivating emails wishing me the best of luck. I appreciate the encouragement so much because it keeps me driven and helps me understand that there are people out there that believe in me. As I've said recently, the "TOBY09" Campaign would not have been possible without the help of my supporters.

With that being said, I will refer back to the title of this particular blog. Not all of my experiences have been so positive. Not that the negative experiences were unexpected because they were. However, just because we expect them does not make them any easier to hurdle when they pop up through an election season. I will say that this year, so far, has remained relatively civil and other than the claims of last year's election season, there has not been any occurrences of that caliber thus far. Let's keep our fingers crossed...

I would like my supporters (and everyone else) to know some of the negative scenarios I have experienced through my campaign so far.

My first obstacle was my age. There are still people concerned with electing someone who is not of the elder category. And that is fine. I understand that elders have always made up the majority of our Tribal Council. And to be honest, I am all for having elders on council. It makes total sense. I do believe, however, it should be a little more balanced. I feel that this tribe could benefit from having people of a different generation express concerns and share ideas.

Perception has been another major set back. When I originally announced my candidacy (back in February), there were many rumors about how I was being persuaded to run and that I would be a "puppet" for one side or the other. That I was just coming in to make up a majority or to tear down empires that have been built amongst our current council. These accusations and rumors were totally inaccurate as I want to see our council made up of independent people working together for the betterment of our membership. Trying to reverse people's perception is not an easy task and I continue to try every day.

I have also had my campaign signs defaced with spray paint. This actually occurred during the weekend of Veteran's Pow-wow and there were several other candidates who fell victim to this as well. Not that this was a major set back but I do consider it to be an obstacle in my campaign.

I have received several phone calls where people were upset that I sent them campaign materials in the mail. During these calls, I would listen to the complaints for multiple minutes just to be hung up on before I had the chance to respond. I would like to add that if you do not want to receive campaign materials in the mail, please contact the Election Committee and ask that they remove your name from the mailing list.

Most recently, I was accused of pushing down, hitting and kicking a female Tribal Member when I was a child. I apparently used to call her a "Squaw" as well. These accusations are completely absurd and there is absolutely no truth to them whatsoever. In fact, this particular Tribal Member is 10 years my elder. I would have literally been a child "picking on" an adult. As humerous as this may seem to some, I do consider it to be another hurdle in my campaign. I do not know who all this person has told these stories to but one is too many.

I will close by saying that this blog is not to complain about my hardships. In fact, this year has been less "back biting" than years past. I just want to make people aware of the negative aspects that come with running for public office. If you plan to do it in the future I would suggest growing a shell.

Thank you for reading and remember, "TOBY09".