The Poplar Standard

Tribal Officer Election Set For March 25
By Nancy Czatt

Two groups with radically different philosophies clashed at a meeting of the Fort Peck Tribal Executive Board in Poplar Monday. Charges and counter-charges flew at times during the meeting, which lasted from early afternoon until 8:30.

One of the hottest issues of the evening session concerned provisions for the coming election.

Debate centered around whether or not non-residents should be allowed to vote. Mr. Sonosky defended the position that the Fort Peck reservation is a political entity and non-resident should not be allowed to vote. Chairman Buckles and others held that each member of the tribe is a share holder in tribal lands and properties, thus entitled to a vote in tribal affairs.

The Executive Board over-rode opposition in order to pass a resolution to keep non-resident tribal members from voting. The resolution requires all members register in person to be allowed to vote. Registrations may be made through Jan. 28 for voting on Constitutional amendments, and through Feb. 21 for the March 25 election of board members and a tribal chairman.

Two constitutional amendments were passed by the Board, to be voted on at an election Feb. 11.

The first provides that there shall be only one election of an Executive Board in 1961. The other is intended to permit an unpardoned felon to hold office provided his sentence has been completed more than three years preceding the election, but the amendment reads otherwise: "A person ... shall not be a qualified candidate unless the judgment has been satisfied within three years preceding the date of the election."

In a speech defending his having been hired, Mr. Sonosky outlined a five point program for the tribal attorney. Under economic security he listed holding the tribe's land base, promoting industrial development, credit and land purchase programs. His second point concerned community life, recreational facilities, fairs, festivals. Third, services such as education, law and order, sanitation and water. Fourth, unity: "We have got to stop worrying about the way this thing is being done rather than going ahead and doing it." His fifth point concerned setting up machinery to process grievances.

Mr. Sonosky clarified the issue in reference to his exclusion of claims from his contract. According to Federal law, separate contracts must be signed for general counsel and claim attorneys. Mr. Sonosky also suggested that the tribes hire an oil and gas consultant to protect tribal interests.

Mr. Sonosky's contract was executed at the meeting by Leslie Mour Star and Bill Youpee as authorized by motion of the board. Chairman Buckles went on record as protesting the action of the Board at the meeting.

In other tribal business, the two delegates to Washington have come in for some criticism partly on the basis that they have not fulfilled the function for which they were authorized to go. One delegate reportedly found the claims lawyer whom he was to consult out of town, so he returned to Poplar within a week. The second is expected back this week, too.

Since advance payment was given for 14 days at $15 expense plus $10 salary per day, as well as for travel expense, the tribes reportedly will ask for reimbursement.