The Nation
Tribal Report of the Northern Cheyenne Nation (June 2006 Vol. I No. 7)
Front Page	Page 2			Page 3
Northern Cheyenne vital part of Council of Large Land Base Tribes Tribal Report Staff Pictured: Contemporary Leaders of the Traditional Allied Forces: Northern Arapaho Tribal Chairman Richard Brannan, Northern Cheyenne Tribal Councilman L. Jace Killsback and Ogallala Sioux Tribal President Cecelia Fire Thunder.
On June 22nd, 2006 the Council of Large Land Base Tribes (CLLBT) convened its annual meeting in Crow Agency, Montana during Crow Native Days. The CLLBT is comprised of Federally Recognized Tribes with reservations of 100,000 acres or more and who reside in the states of Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico. The CLLBT represents 75% of the total tribal lands of the nation’s “Indian Country” making it one of the most significant and influential tribal government organizations advocating for sovereignty, networking resources and developing policy, and legislation. Smaller gaming Tribes located in the east and west do not always accurately represent the real needs of the majority of American Indian people, and have in the past, made tribal relations with government entities difficult because of their differences in tribal priorities and financial capability. The CLLBT has become the vehicle for Tribes with large reservations to form alliances in order to have a louder voice and more say on land use, federal funding, and resource management in the United States. The President of the Crow Tribe, Carl E. Venne, was recently selected as the Chairman of the CLLBT and hosted the meeting this past week. Last year Tribal Councilman and Land Authority Chairman L. Jace Killsback was elected as the Treasurer of the CLLBT securing a leadership role for the Northern Cheyenne Tribe within this prominent coalition. Councilman Killsback also serves as the Treasurer for the Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council and has been addressing the Tribe’s local issues on the regional and national level in both councils. The Northern Cheyenne presented and passed a resolution at the CLLBT meeting to protect “Noavose” (Bear Butte State Park) from any further development or construction of the “Sturgis Rally” biker-bar venues. The resolution established a buffer zone around the base of the holy mountain. The Northern Cheyenne also took the lead on the creation of CLLBT policy aimed at holding BIA Law Enforcement accountable on reservations and seeking additional monies for more tribal police. The Northern Cheyenne shared it own tribal resolutions and information on the new American Indian Probate Reform Act that was put into affect		on June 26th, 2006 along with taking a strong stance against the Department of Energy’s “Right-of-way Study” that would favor the U.S. Congress’s ability to condemn tribal lands in order to allow juggernaut utility companies and their pipelines and power-lines access through reservations without the Tribes’ consent. All theses issues brought that were presented and supported by Councilman Killsback have already been adopted the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council and have become models and resources for other Tribes and organizations to utilize in their battles to protect tribal sovereignty and to insure the U.S. Government is adhering to its fiduciary responsibility. The CLLBT meeting was an historic event and not because it was hosted during the Crow Native Days, but rather because it reunited traditional allies together to share with the other CLLBT delegates about the war fought and won on behalf of all Tribes 130 years ago by the Arapaho, Lakota and Cheyenne Nations. Today tribal leaders from the traditional allied forces who defeated the U.S. 7th Calvary on June 25th, 1876, spoke of this victory as a means to protect the tribal way of life from being destroyed. It also reminded the CLLBT that in more contemporary battles of this century, Tribes remain fighting the U.S. Government for the very same reasons, only now the weapons have become lawyers, scholars, and legislation. Not to rain on the Crow “parade,” but throughout the CLLBT meeting Northern Arapaho Tribal Chairman Richard Brannan, President of the Ogallala Lakota Tribe Cecelia Fire Thunder, and Northern Cheyenne Tribal Councilman L. Jace Killsback reiterated the theme of this year’s Crow Native Days: “Peace through Unity.” It was also made clear that because of the resistance against the federal government by the ancestors of the allied forces, the reservations of the Northern Arapaho, Ogallala Lakota, and the Northern Cheyenne continue suffer the most with high unemployment, epidemic substance abuse, unsolved homicide, youth suicide, and of course federal budget cuts across the board; mostly because these tribal nations continue maintaining the wealthiest cultures and histories amongst the Tribes in the Rocky Mountain and Great Plains Regions. Tribal Report of the Northern Cheyenne Nation (June 2006 Vol. I No. 7), page 2.
Tribal Historic Preservation Conrad Fisher [Northern Cheyenne THPO Officer] The Northern Cheyenne Tribal Historic Preservation Office was established approximately three years ago. It is funded by the National Park Service (Heritage Preservation) out of Washington D.C. The Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) was created primarily to allow tribes to take the role as cultural resource managers of their own tribal cultural properties. The Montana State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) previously had those responsibilities. Now that the Northern Cheyenne Tribe has a THPO, they are able to negotiate with federal agencies in protecting and preserving our cultural resources. THPO has many important responsibilities when it comes to cultural resource management issues. Through the tribe, THPO deals with federal agencies on a government to government basis, and extends into many states. THPO has an interest in the cultural landscapes and sites wherever the Cheyenne people had historic and cultural ties. For example, if there were cultural sites found in Denver Colorado, Lawrence Kansas, or any other place, then the office would be notified as long as it is a federal undertaking. THPO currently houses one staff member, Conrad Fisher. Because THPO is solely funded from the Heritage Preservation Office in Washington D.C. and we have so many responsibilities, we are always looking for assistance both in human resources and financial resources. Some of the projects that we have been involved in since January 2005 are as follows:			¨ cultural monitoring and surveying near the Decker area with coal bed methane development; ¨ consultation and surveying in the Carbon Basin area on a proposed coal mine near Rawlins Wyoming; ¨ working with Wyoming Army National Guard and the F.E. Warren Base in Cheyenne Wyoming on protecting cultural sites; ¨ sample tests on a “kill site” on the reservation to determine events that occurred there; ¨ limited cultural and archeological training of tribal members who want to become cultural surveyors; ¨ consultation with the National Park Service Little Bighorn National Monument on the interpretation of the proposed Cheyenne panels; ¨ signage of the People’s park; ¨ surveying of timber sales on the reservation. The Northern Cheyenne Tribal Historic Preservation Office takes on many duties and responsibilities. The Northern Cheyenne Tribe has also supported the THPO through monetary contributions. However, we still would welcome those that want to preserve our cultural and historic sites even though we do not have any financial assistance. I would welcome those that might want to participate in insuring our cultural heritage doing volunteer work here at the THPO. It may turn into a career opportunity for those that want to further their education in cultural resource management. If you have any questions, please contact Conrad Fisher at 406-477-6035. Tribal Report of the Northern Cheyenne Nation (June 2006 Vol. I No. 7), page 2.
Lame Deer High School Graduate Wins Scholarship Andrea Rankin Helena, Montana GEAR UP in the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education is pleased to award the $20,000 Montana GEAR UP Pathways Scholarships to Lame Deer High School graduate Stephanie Spang. The Pathways Scholarship may be applied toward postsecondary education in Montana. Ms. Spang is planning to attend Montana State University in Bozeman where she will major in nursing. She has received school awards for perfect attendance and honor roll, and was President of her school’s Indian Club. Ms. Spang joins 26 other Montana high school graduates who were also selected from a pool of 65 applicants as Montana Gear Up Pathways Scholarship Recipients. Scholarship are awarded based on academic preparation and performance; participation in extra-curricular activities, community service or volunteer projects; financial need; the quality of response on the written application; ant the quality of the project submitted or described. “Montana GEAR UP is committed to raising student expectations regarding postsecondary			education and then making those expectations affordable,” says Program Director Sandy Merdinger. “This year we are excited to award over half a million dollars though the Pathways Scholarship program.” Montana GEAR UP stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. The program believes that postsecondary education is possible for all Montana students, regardless of economic background, and strives to empower them to realize that ambitions. In August 2005, Montana GEAR UP received a six-year, $18 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to increase the number of students from low income communities who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. The program provides services to an entire cohort of stunts beginning in the seventh grade and follows the cohort though high school. Currently, 24 schools participate in Montana GEAR UP. For more information Contact Sandy Merdinger, Program Director, Montana GEAR UP, 46 North Last Chance Gulch, P.O. Box 203201, Helena, Montana 59620-3201, or call at (406) 444-0056, or email at smerdinger@oche.montana.edu. Tribal Report of the Northern Cheyenne Nation (June 2006 Vol. I No. 7), page 2.
2006 Indian Vote Critical Norma Bixby The Indian vote will be critical in the General Election to be held on November 5, 2006. Indian People will be the deciding votes for key State races for the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives, as well as Local District races including County Attorney, Justice of Peace, Sheriff, County Clerks, Montana House District, and Judges. There are Indian candidates for some of these positions. We should be proud that Indian people are stepping up and striving to be a part of the political process. Indian people will make a difference at the National, State and County levels. Indian voters must educate themselves about the voting process. There are some new laws that make			it easier for people to vote. Election judges cannot turn you away for any reason at all because you have the right to vote. If you forgot your ID, you can vote provisionally and bring your ID back. Your ID does not have to be a picture ID; it can be a bill, check stub, Tribal ID, any type of ID that will prove who you are. People can vote by absentee ballot so you don’t even have to go to the polls. Busby Precinct had only a 13% voter turnout. Lame Deer had a 35% voter turn out. These numbers are very low. We need to let Montana know our Indian Vote does count. Once we make this known the policymakers will sit up and take notice. Get registered to vote. Go to the polls on November 5, 2006 and let your voice be heard. Tribal Report of the Northern Cheyenne Nation (June 2006 Vol. I No. 7), page 2.
Activism Should be Sacred Leo Killsback Today’s Bear Butte dispute has brought out all kinds of would-be warriors, ready to lay claim to the fame of being a “protector.” In actuality some activist activities are nothing more than shows for fanatics to stroke their own egos, instead of fighting for the true cause. While attending graduate school at the University of Arizona-Tucson, there were thirteen Indian Nations protesting against the use of reclaimed water for a ski resort on the San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff. These Peaks are sacred to the Navajo, Hopi, and other Indian Nations. However, some of the activism that came out of the protests was nothing more than fanatic rants from table-pounding Indians who did more harm than good. Today’s Bear Butte dispute is bringing about the same activists. Some call for a “Gathering of Nations” at Bear Butte as if it were the big commercial powwow held annually at Albuquerque, NM. Organizers want to have victory dances, powwows, music, and games at			the holy mountain. It seems to most Indian activists nowadays, that the only Indian culture they know is the pan-Indian powwow culture. Northern Cheyennes have always been taught to be very careful at Bear Butte; not to talk loud or yell; not to run or jump; not to have bad feelings; not to think of greed, fame, or glory; and especially not to engage in any violence or confrontation at the sacred mountain. It seems that some Indian activists, who share the same goals to protect and defend Bear Butte, want to have another Wounded Knee stand-off. Any protests and resistances should be sacred, humble, and peaceful. They should not reflect the pan-Indian powwow circuit. If anything, they should reflect the protocols of a Sundance lodge. Our goals are the same, but our methods and approaches will determine the final outcome. If activists exploit Bear Butte, then they are no different than those who are constructing a bar. However, if activists can lead by example, then maybe they can teach the non-Indian world about the real spiritual significance of the mountain. Tribal Report of the Northern Cheyenne Nation (June 2006 Vol. I No. 7), page 2.
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