November 28, 2001
| The aftermath of General
Council General Council addresses issues By John Kozlowicz Staff Writer |
Nearly a month after this year's General Council the Nation's members continue to express their thoughts regarding just what happened at DeJope Bingo Hall on October 27, 2001. While some members considered the meeting to have served a purpose, others expressed disappointed that the meeting was not more organized, informative or productive. An accusation was made that some people came only to eat and get paid, whatever was on the agenda was of no concern to them. As a reporter for the tribe's newsletter, I was looking forward to General Council. There are certain issues that interest me, issues that I consider important to the Nation's future. Though I am not a tribal member, I see and talk with tribal members every day, hard working people who care. I want to see their dreams for the Ho-Chunk Nation become reality. As the meeting progressed it became apparent that for some, the day was a good time to vent their frustrations with the Nation's legislators. While the Legislative body is not perfect, no one is, General Council slowly turned into a "witch hunt" against officials elected by the very same people. To those critical of the Legislative body or a particular legislator, consider the following: 1) propose changing the Constitution, giving the Nation another form of government. 2) During election years make your voice heard during the campaign. 3) On election day, cast your vote. On a day when people wandered in and out of the meeting hall, drinking hundreds of cups of coffee or pop and smoking a collective one million cigarettes, tribal members were watching. Some of the observations made, along with the suggestions offered are worth repeating. Most will likely require a Secretarial Election or constitutional changes, others would simply require more discipline and common sense. One member probably said it best when stating "a willingness to change is what keeps us moving forward". Here are some things heard, changes suggested, listed in no particular order.
|