Spring Meeting Minutes (DRAFT) (2025)
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Nez Perce Tribe
General Council
Spring Meeting Minutes (DRAFT)
May 1, 2, 3, 2025
Kamiah, Idaho
NEZ PERCE TRIBE SPRING GENERAL COUNCIL 2025
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Not verbatim
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HOUSE RULES
1. The General Council meeting will be conducted according to Robert’s Rules of Order (revised)
and in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Nez Perce Tribe. These rules will be
used as a guide for facilitating the business of the assembly.
2. The Agenda and House Rules shall be subject to change from the floor by proper motion and vote
by the assembly.
3. The Chairman shall preside over the General Council meeting. Conversations excluding the Chair
are not permitted.
4. Motions and Resolutions will be in order during the three-day session. Tribal members shall
provide a copy of their motion and/or resolution to the General Council Secretary. Motions and
resolutions shall be presented at a time related to the topic on the agenda.
5. Questions and responses shall be made through the Chair and should be confined to the topic
and/or pending motion under discussion. The Chairman has the right to intervene to maintain the
integrity of questions, responses, and remarks. More time may be allowed at the discretion of the
Chairman.
6. The Maker of a Resolution or Motion will have two (2) minutes to introduce the motion and two (2)
minutes for rebuttal or to close. Each person in favor of or against the motion will have two (2)
minutes to speak. Everyone has the right to participate in discussion if they wish before anyone
may speak a second time. Exceptions are at the discretion of the Chairman. After one side
exhausts its speakers, the remaining side is allowed only two additional speakers.
7. Personnel matters, i.e. hiring, firing, salary, etc., are not allowed.
8. All persons will act in a courteous, respectful, and professional manner during the course of the
meeting.
9. Members have the right to “Appeal the decision of the Chairman” if they feel the Chairman decision
is not what the majority wants. A simple majority sustains the decision of the Chairman.
10. Members have the right to speak. If a member is not asking a question, making a motion or a
resolution, the Chairman will assume the member is making a speech. Time is valuable so each
member will be limited to one such speech per General Council session with a time limit of three
(3) minutes. More time may be allowed at the discretion of the Chairman.
11. Anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be requested to leave the premises.
12. The Election Judges will register Nez Perce Tribal members age 18 and older.
13. Kindly turn your cell phone off or to silent. If you need to use your cell phone to answer or make a
call, please be respectful of the members of the assembly by going out to the hallway or outside
to do so.
14. “Live streaming” on social media or video recording of any kind is not allowed unless authorized,
i.e., counting ballots.
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Agenda: Thursday, May 1, 2025
7:30 am
Registration Opens (268 tribal members registered)
8:15 am
Call meeting to Order
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
9:00 am
Begin at 8:23a
Opening Ceremony
Welcome, Flag Song and Posting of Colors
Prayer by Mary Jane Miles, NPTEC Chaplain
Memorial Reading – Wilfred Scott
General Council Business
6. (8:50a) House Rules – Agenda – Minutes
o Shirley Allman makes motion to approve House Rules.
o Verna Taylor seconds motion
o Chairman: any discussion?
§ Motion to approve house rules by Dan Kane
§ Motion carried.
7. Chairman: next motion is to approve agenda in the pink booklet. Heads up
for one minor revision to add the Minor Trust Fund so lunch will be at 12p
instead of 1145a. Entertain motion to approve.
o Bill Picard makes motion to approve.
o Second by Elroy Moffett.
o Chairman: Discussion?
§ Marilyn Bowen: May 2 during Enterprise, are we are able to
hear from the floor people and from the shift managers and
workers? They’re the ones that are shift managers and
supervisors to speak directly about their concern.
Chairman: if I understand, you’re requesting that shift
managers and supervisors be present at the enterprise
board on Saturday under the budget and finance
subcommittee?
o Nikoli Greene: thank you madam chair. We can
have some present but there needs to be a
manager on shift at all times.
Chairman: OK so not really a motion. We can make
note of this.
§ Chairman: Liz Arthur-Attao, you may speak.
Liz Arthur-Attao: GC was handed an SRBA overview
for FY 24-25, within the report there is a chart and
graph which requires annual reports but because of
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COVID we weren’t able to. Yesterday there was an
exception to provide a graph that’s attached. The Tribe
invested a lot of land back, so this is important. I
recommend that this report be provided to the GC
today.
Nikoli Greene: Madam Chair is there a typo in the
agenda? The schedules don’t match.
§ Secretary: 10–15-minute break while Chairman prints off the
correct GC Agenda.
9:05am.
o Chairman (9:27a): apologize for the confusion. Updated agenda is
being passed around on yellow paper. Due to the current
administration, the Federal Agencies are not able to present so after
meeting with NPTEC, the Agenda was moved around. *Read’s
allowed revised Agenda*
§ Quincy Ellenwood: if we are going to take out the federal
partners, there is a huge issue right now going on with right a
ways and trespassing. In 2023 we sent a letter to BIA, Brian
Mercier, to resolve this. We asked him to respond. There hasn’t
been resolution. This is a huge issue when we went through
that in 2021. I was involved and we found out at that time
through the IDT that there was no right-a-way and the NEPA
process wasn’t followed. Chairman Penney was there at the
time and OLC has a copy. If federal partners won’t be here, we
have a huge issue. Thank you.
Chairman: Thank you, Mr. Ellenwood. Again, note
changes to the agenda with the understanding that the
federal agency partners cannot present at this time. I
need a motion to approve agenda.
o Motion Melvin wheeler
o Second Owen Moffett
§ Question by Alene Powaukee: Who answers to the federal
agency partners not arriving?
Chairman: I’m going to invite our NPTEC Chairman
to provide comment in that regard.
NPTEC Chairman Wheeler: we reached out several
times to federal agencies and they were not able to
speak to outside entities at the direction of the new
administration. But we are starting to receive responses.
On May 14, the BIA will be in Lapwai along with
Director Mercier, and the regional director. Other
agencies are coming around and several of our NPTEC
partners are in communication with the federal agencies
where they are receiving responses. The directive from
administration was no speaking to outside entities.
o Chairman: thank you. Any further comments?
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§
Kay Seven: the missing report is interesting because of the
new administration. Our tribal leadership team should provide
a report to the people who work for the tribe on where we are
at with the agencies. Who is our policy analyst following the
terminations, federal assistance programs, etc. Everything we
have at the tribe is fragmented. Who is watching? This is
frustrating working in our organization in fragmentation. I
think if it’s not at this meeting, we need to start paying
attention to this important information. What is our plan to be
ahead of what is going on in the current administration?
NPTEC Chairman Wheeler: thank you for the
message. Within my reports today I will be specifically
speaking about this and providing insight to what Ms.
Seven has spoken about.
§ Mary Johnson: good morning, 2738, there’s been a lot of
trespassing for years in Asahka. My brother was murdered on
that land. Something needs to be done. I don’t know what, but
we don’t know what to do with it. It’s an emotional subject for
me, I lost my brother there. This is important.
§ Liz Arthur-Attao: to GC, while printing off the revised
agenda, I stood up and mentioned SRBA overview. You may
all want to make sure to get a copy of this. I requested the last
page, there’s a graph of purchases from 2011-2015 where there
is an attachment with land purchases.
o Chairman: thank you. Any further questions? Motion is to approve
agenda.
§ Question by Shirley Allman
§ Second Robert Kipp.
§ Motion Carried.
8. Chairman: Motion to approve the minutes.
o Summary read by Secretary.
o Chairman: What is the desire of the summary of the actions in the fall
2024 General Council. Do we have an approval for the Fall 2024
General Council Minutes?
§ Motion Shirley Allman
§ Second Lorenzo Ellenwood.
§ Chairman: Discussion? No objection? All those in favor
signify by saying Aye.
Motion Carried
9. Resolutions Committee report – Alice Spaulding, Chairperson
o Alice Spaulding (9:51a): good morning. I am the chairwoman,
Paulette Smith is our Vice Chair, Maurita Oatman is our secretary,
and Eva Higheagle is our member. Meetings 11/4, 11/6, 11/18,
December cancelled, 1/24, 2/6, 3/17, 4/9, total of 6 tribal members
attended our meetings. Not very many but 6. Five resolutions went
to NPTEC (GRAP, financial status of NPT, tribal member
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enrollment, recommended GRAP accountability, and enrollment
protection from ICE). The resolutions are on the back table and the
enrollment one on the ICE issue will be brought under their
respective subcommittee. That’s it for us. Thank you.
§ Chairman: any questions or comments for Resolutions
committee?
Meredith Moffett: what is the next step forward in
resolutions?
o Alice Spaulding: it will come under HR
subcommittee, but we do have a draft at the
table, so you know beforehand in case you
need to prepare questions.
Meredith Moffett: Thank you.
§ Chairman: any further questions? Entertain motion to
accept resolutions committee.
Motion Ashton Picard
Second Melvin Wheeler
o Motion Carried.
§ Chairman: Thank you, Resolutions committee. Next item
is NPTEC Chairman and Treasurer reports.
10:00 am
NPTEC CHAIRMAN and TREASURER REPORTS
10. NPTEC Chairman – Shannon Wheeler
o NPTEC Chairman Wheeler (9:57a): thank you madam chair. Thank
you, creator, for this beautiful day in this sacred place we call home in
Kamiah. By being here your voice is being heard. Representing the
Tribe is an honor and privilege. That work is reflected in the Chairman
report. It is included in the packet. I will be speaking today from a
broader overview from what’s inside the report and what the federal
administration has been doing. First, I’d like to send condolences to
those who are coping with the loss of loved ones. We send our
heartfelt prayers and to those who are suffering from illness or injury.
Moment of silence please. We understand the uncertainty at this time.
The tribe has been proactive in responding to each of the U.S. impacts
of funding and national organization. We are pushing back actions that
impede on the Nez Perce Tribe. We are well positioned to handle these
challenges. I thank the staff for their hard work in this regard. Please
know we will not stop working to protect our interest. On behalf of our
tribe, NPTEC has been working hard along with Directors to
understand what the administration has been doing. We have been
working hard with Congress. It is our responsibility to ensure the NP
voice is heard by U.S. especially finances, trust responsibility, treaty
rights, sacred lands, co-management, MMIW, and education. On
2/25/25, we provided our first written strategies for determining the
information that was coming out of D.C., although talking about it
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since November. One thing we learned was it is important to have
regional relationships in addition to any federal agencies that we
interact along with, including the States. Following the election, the
administration made changes by signing 120 Executive Orders relating
to operations and management. President Trump froze funding and
reduced the federal workforce. These actions had the potential to
impact the Tribe in various ways. This was expedited and unlawful.
The tribe had a written strategy to address this in guidelines to provide
a written structure to move forward as we always have with dignity
and respect for the NP people. These are efforts we have always made
but were more significant due to the administrations answers. The NP
role through this process is to increase interactions with federal
agencies to protect membership security and citizens of the U.S. in
which we reside. We will continue to have communication with tribal
membership due to confusion in the media about the administration’s
actions (immigration, birthright, citizenship, etc.). this was an attempt
to weaken the Constitution. We sit in the Constitution under article 6
which solidifies what we preserve. It is important that we
communicated this. All tribal nations did not approve of what the U.S.
is doing. They told us the first 45 days was chaotic, next 45 hope it
calms down, after that we’ll see. We’ve been to DC several times
expressing our concerns to express our tribal treaty rights are in the
Constitution which they were trying to weaken. So, when we express
this and communicated it, we are trying to do the best we can to get
this out. We reacted first by sending letters to Congress. They hold the
power and balance. We worked with them to ensure treaty rights and
our position of authority and power is recognized. We also knew we
needed to maintain and cultivate relationships with the incoming
federal partners, like the Secretary of Interior. They are who stand up
against the federal agencies to be sure our treaty rights are honored
which is why we communicated with them, and they will be in Lapwai
on May 14th. We will reach out to departments for information
pertaining to this. We reached out to congress and senators. We’ve
seen good things from this like support for the CDFI. It’s good we
have these people who understand the tribe’s position. There are
statutory authorities that the federal agencies must uphold. Treaty legal
binding agreements and the broader trust responsibility that the federal
agencies carry out. We ceded over 30 million acres in reserving and
retaining these rights. Back up a moment, our people at the time didn't
understand what treaty was but we understood what we needed and
what mattered the most for existence today. Even though we still have
this in our culture, we preserved other things outside the world. We
look different today but the core of who we are is maintained today.
This is expressed in the statutory authority, whether it’s in CWA, etc.,
these federal agencies need to understand this, and our treaty rights are
what they are, and they have a broader trust responsibility tied to that
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and that exists in the Constitution where it is spelled out. We will
continue to express our position and show where we are in the Treaty,
and that’s the sovereign-to-sovereign relationship that we enjoy and
live by. The NPTEC is standing by this and communicating it,
demanding they come speak with us. Mr. Penney will be out to speak
with EPA today, and Rachel Edwards speaking directly to HHS. This
is for the people and NPTEC is looking out into this confusion and
seeing that what’s most important to us makes us who we are, and we
will stand by this for the people. We coordinate with allies like
NCAIA, ATNI, CRITFC, USFWS, OLC, nongovernmental
organizations (Sierra Club), all other organizations. This coordination
means something in a time like this to support the work that we do and
how we continue to fight. We realize we need to protect tribal funding
and plan for that. We have to look at what’s happening and if we have
to adjust or budget then that’s what we need to do. We also will
continue to develop a financial response plan. We have coordinated
with NARF (Native American Rights Fund), other tribes like situated,
and executive order tribes. Executive order tribes, although different,
still have a federal obligation owed. Those tribes look to treaty tribes
to stand up. We have the strongest treaty in this country. Other tribes
look to the strength of the Nez Perce. There are tons of Executive
Orders that will create a bottleneck for processing. This may be due to
lack of employment in the federal agencies, so we need to prepare and
ensure our avenues utilizing the government, and make sure they
understand the trust responsibility is a duty when they swear to the
U.S., this is their responsibility. That’s where the NPT sits. We don’t
go to the U.S. in partnership and that’s the way we go today. We said
it to President Biden, thank you for reaffirming our treaty rights, which
affirms the NP and their economic development. We need to get
through this administration. So NPTEC, NPT, and employees are
working hard to make sure things like energy sovereignty is something
to us for what our future generations will face. Madam Chair, if I may
take a few moments to close, I would like to share, it’s NP forever, so I
will share something that was in the Covenant of the Salmon, the
creation story, before the birth of the NP, when the animal people were
called by the Creator. I want to share what he said and close with that.
We fight for life. If we forget them, they will forget us. Even though
we have differences, we can at least focus on the things in common
that we share as NP people. Madam chair, thank you for your time. We
will have a special presentation now by Lapwai Robotics team,
Keeping the Eye on Walleye.
o Samantha Smith: Teacher *introduction*, 8th grade robotics team co
heritage award from the robotics competition (applause), they came
back with an EPA award for battling effects of climate change, and
they only got beat by a PR, they placed 2nd for environmental sciences,
the biggest accomplishment is they had 1 month to complete the
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project compared to the other teams who had months. Isaiah and his
team went over and won awards, so we have some geniuses up and
coming, this is a big deal, there’s a table in the lobby for anyone to see.
Walleyes are a serious issue, so this is a big deal. Thank you.
§ Isaiah Painter: thank you for being here, the reason we did
this is because there are opportunities aligned with the
profession and we wanted everyone on board, we can’t do
robotics until everyone can convince the school board to create
the class. This class is only for middle school after this I can’t
take the class there’s a lot of improvement, I would love to
work in.
Kay Seven: quiet in the house sergeant of arms.
o Chairman: thank you. Again, a round of applause for our young
student. It’s a good reminder of why we’re here. His grandparents and
greats, that’s why he’s here doing the good things he is. What we do as
GC, we are affecting our grandchildren we will never see. And the
folks who signed the treaty, that was on our behalf, and they don’t see
us. I appreciate we can celebrate this. With that thank you and turning
it over to our treasurer.
11. NPTEC Treasurer – Ashton Picard
o Ashton Picard (10:30a): chairman went over federal aspects. I’d like
to add the historical concepts of what our economics were is our
ability to provide and predict and learn and know what will
happen/occur. A great hunter is able to know the track of an animal to
bring home. Same with fish and gatherers and root diggers. When we
think of the ability to predict and know what patterns are, it helps
economically as well. I’ve gone to conferences predicting interest
drops, they now have no clue what’s going to happen, if our President
will come out in a press conference and change everything completely,
will it be budget freeze? It’s hard to predict but we are doing our best
to stay on top of it and design a path forward. We do have the
Treasurer’s Report Summary. I’ll read off the summary. Thank you,
Madam Chair,
o Chairman (10:37a): Thank you, Treasurer Picard. Next, we have the
SRBA investment funds by Merill Lynch. Entertain motion to move
into executive session.
§ Motion by Shirley Allman
§ Second Robert Kipp
Motion Carried.
§ Robert Kipp: can the finance manager stay as well?
Chairman: yes, the deputy executive director, the
finance manager and Merrill Lynch employees can
remain in the room during executive session. Oh, and
the auditor guy can stay.
Executive Session 10:39a
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Recess for Lunch 11:57a
12. SRBA Investment Funds – Merrill Lynch
13. Auditor’s report - Bluebird CPAs
o FY23 Nez Perce Tribe Audit
o FY24 Nez Perce Tribe Enterprise Audit
14. Minor Trust Fund - Breakwater Investment Group (added 4/28/25)
12:00 pm
Lunch break
1:00 pm
Questions/Comments for the panel (continued)
15. Executive Session 1:06p
o Chairman: motion to entertain motion to come out of executive
§ Motion Tony Johnson
§ Second Julian Mathews
Motion carried.
o Tony Johnson motion to accept report.
o Second Julian Mathews.
§ Motion carried.
2:00 pm
SUBCOMMITTEE / BOARD / COMMISSION REPORTS
16. Natural Resources Subcommittee - Ferris Paisano III, Chairman
o Ferris Paisano III (2:38p): Thank you everyone and our support staff
back in the office. Every place is sacred for us. As chairman of Natural
Resources, I am also on the board for CRITFC. This July we meet at
the Casino with the NPT as chair for the next year. We are fighting
over a stretch of the river in zone 6, claiming we aren’t an OR, or WA
tribe, and I say we aren’t an ID tribe. We come from the cascades to
the Rockies. We are plateau people and that’s who we are. It brings me
to tears how spiritually connected our leaders were. It’s really
important that we are one, as a general council for the NPT. My report
is sitting in front of you. The support staff helped a lot. We have Mr.
Smith here for environmental. We hired Joe Oatman as our fish
director. We have been asking for that for a long time. This is a start.
Mike Tuell and Jack Yearout are here to contest for Joe. Our NRSC is
on the first and third Tuesdays. So, I’m the chair, but Mr. smith, Mr.
Teasely, Mr. Oatman, and Mr. Johnson, they’re the ones that guide me
and help make decisions. The Nez Perce Tribe is globally recognized
as a natural resource tribe, with a deep and ongoing responsibility to
protect the lands, waters, and wildlife. The NRSC upholds this legacy
through its work in forest management, water rights enforcement,
environmental restoration, and climate resilience, ensuring that these
resources endure for the benefit of future generations. Our highlights
are that the fires and fuels program completed prescribed burning and
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fuel treatments on 833 acres; the Bureau of Land Management donated
a Type 6 wildfire engine in recognize of the Tribe’s fire protection
efforts; water resources received a $2 million Columbia River Basin
grant to reduce pesticide impacts; and Fisheries released 13 million
hatchery juveniles for ocean migration while also assessing Sockeye
reintroduction in Wallowa Lake. Ms. Allman was at a meeting in
Portland for the release of sockeye. And in 2 years the sockeye will
return and be taken to Wallowa Lake. I respect the leaders of the past
and future. I saw Mr. Slickpoo here who was part of this and the
CRITFC. Every tribe but the NPT got $, but our leaders refused. And
now it has to do with allocation of fish because we are fisherman. Our
fisherman knows how to attack because we are fishermen. We develop
techniques to fish because we are fisher people. We have a lot more
highlights in the Spring Report, so I thank my support staff, Marsan
who helped put this together and thank you everyone.
17. Climate Change/Energy Subcommittee – Ryan Oatman, Chairman
o Ryan Oatman (2:59p): Good afternoon, everyone. I am Ryan
Oatman, and our subcommittee consists of me, Mr. Paisano, Ms.
Rachel Edwards, and Ms. Shirley Allman. I’d like to say thank you
to Liz Arthur-Attao for sitting in on meetings and Ferris to cover
when I was gone, and NPTEC support staff. The climate change
and energy committee lead Tribal efforts in renewable energy,
climate resilience, and environmental policy to protect and sustain
Nimiipuu homelands. Our subcommittee has accepted many
reports from different departments within its authority and so a
brief overview is Climate Change & Energy starting at the Tribal
Climate Resilience Grant; Solar benefits between MT, WA, and
ID; submitted grant applications: climate united next grant (300K);
solar installation; wayas community center; DOE tribal energy
development grant; WA DOC grant; and that’s the end. Thank you
for allowing me to be in this position since 2021. I’d also like to
thank the elders from my first NPTEC (Lee Bourgeau, Carla
Timentwa first foods teaching, and Sis Powaukee).
18. Land Enterprise Commission - Shirley J. Allman, Chairman
o Shirley Allman (3:06p): thank you for being here, I’m the
subcommittee chair and I sit on the subcommittee with Mr.
Oatman, Ms. Mary Jane Miles, Ms. Rachel Edwards, and Ms. Liz
Arthur-Attao. We’d like to also recognize our tribal leaders and
women leaders. Mary Jane Miles has served our membership for
over 9 years in various capacities. If we can acknowledge and
thank her for her dedication and all her time put into membership.
She has been commuting daily. Please give her a round of
applause. I appreciate our support staff and liaisons. The Land
Enterprise Subcommittee continues to expand Tribal land
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ownership and support critical development projects. Recent
acquisitions include two former church properties and over $1.1
million in trust and fee land purchases. Work is also ongoing to
address housing needs, develop water infrastructure, and finalize a
homesite lease policy. The horse program accomplished getting an
office building placed with the horses since it is important for the
horses and staff being accessible and nearby. Hopefully by next
spring they will have a home. This was a vision and I’m happy it
happened. Also, we have the intertribal agricultural counsel, I was
the delegate with Liz as alternate. The Indian land working group
included Liz, Ryan, and me. Since our last GC, there has been 14
subcommittee meetings, a lot goes into these meetings. I want to
touch base on trespassing brought up earlier thank you Mr.
Ellenwood. We asked the BIA for a follow up to the trespass issue.
They responded that they would like to hear it from the individuals
directly and not the table. So, we are waiting for more responses
from the affected individuals to bring it to the table. They want to
hear from the actual tribal members not through others. Also, one
of the biggest accomplishments is the Methodist church ceremony.
Lastly, I want to speak about a task brought to the table last fall
concerning the cemeteries on the NP reservation. I wanted to
mention that a draft brochure with all tribal cemeteries listed is at
the back table (DRAFT ONLY). We would like to have some
direction (back has contact info) about contact info for those
cemeteries. We heard some are unsafe for people to enter and exit.
There is a variety of concerns that came to the table. In 2019 the
Cultural Resource program did a report, and I took data from that
report that gave extensive info on those from Nakia Williamson,
and he has updated info. If anyone can look through the brochure
and let us know who to contact so we know the family members,
what needs to be done and what help is needed. We will create a
priority list and then work together to get those needs met. Again,
this is just a draft. I’m looking forward to putting together a
maintenance plan and keeping it in the radar of tribal budgets.
Thank you everyone.
19. Fish & Wildlife Commission – Erik Holt, Chairman
o Erik Holt (3:17p): first of all, speaking to my mom, with Mother’s
Day coming up, give a round of applause to the mothers. I’m chairman
of FW commission. I want to acknowledge those in mourning. I want
to acknowledge my father because he was a part of the commission.
Our focus is to practice sovereignty in our jurisdiction and natural
resource areas. Our contact staff is Nancy McCallaster. We appreciate
the help. We lost a freezer that holds ceremonial salmon, and the alarm
didn’t alert us. She went above and beyond moving all of the fish, so
we didn’t lose everything, so I want to commend her for staying after
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hours. NPTEC concurred with FW recommendation of buffalo hunt
that began 9/13/2024 to 4/13/25. The Commission conducted 8
orientations. The fall GC reports 5,449 buffalo which are heard to be
reduced by 1,375 animals this winter. Jeremiah of the parks bison
program reported that the park plans to reduce the population to a
range of 3,500 to 4,000 animals using all available tools when the herd
exceeds 5,200. They (IDP) have access to buffalo before we do. They
are using the trapping facility and getting these buffalo and hazing by
the Yellowstone National Park and using all tools at their disposal.
They have a real word impact on our hunters. So, we have weekly
coordination calls when these initial hazing operations took place in
February when our hunters were there. I brought it to the attention of
NPTEC. I got angry speaking from frustration about them imposing on
our people and allowing other activities without regard for our treaty
reserved rights and allowing these other factions. Other problem is the
IBMPs ship to slaughter program which had 577 buffalos given under
this program where the NPT only harvested 36 buffalo. I voiced these
concerns while we are hunting, not knowing come February the focus
was the ship to slaughter and one tribe gained them over everyone
else. So, we need to start voicing our concerns. We are usually the
only tribe who speaks up against them and debate against things that
are necessary because they are against our treaty rights. We are the
only tribe that has a 13 NF agreement to acknowledge our treaty
rights, so we need to focus more on litigation. I’ve said it before. The
Yellowstone National Park is already being taken by state of MT. We
are standing back and seeing how things play out. But at the same time
now that we have this Trump administration, we need to be mindful
knowing we have everything up against us. That’s what we’re there
for. I want to continue to do that the next two meetings coming up. We
need to voice our Yellowstone national park concerns. Next, I want to
talk about the CRITFC policy and procedures. I received calls from
fishers down there for getting harassed on the daily for alternative
fishing gear that we are using. Yakama Nation proposed an MOU for
us to conform to the clothing regulations. The alternative fishing gear
is something that the NPT thinks about, the elephant in the room, we
have 30 fishers that go down there, compared to the 100s of the other
Steven’s Treaty tribes sent down there. They’re catching more fish
because of the use of the gear types. I appreciate the insight but we
need more data that this gear is the reason for decline. They want the
NPT to conform to these gears, and then ban them or they will be
cutting us off. Spring and summer season set the zone 6 with a 30%
buffer rate so we don’t overharvest paper fish, so we’ve got a target of
70% of that to develop the quotas. Once we see the runs the staff will
inform the commission as they return over the lower granite dam.
Quick breakdown: Bonneville Dam had 4689; lower granite dam had
256; Clearwater- 3284; in Powell- 44; in salmon river- 4988; in South
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fork- 907; and with 43 in the natural unclipped category; Tucannon
river has 4 fish. Those are the numbers we are talking about where
climate change is having an impact. Imnaha has 120. Keep you all
updated on numbers because once hit, we are going back. The NPT
fisher’s meeting received good feedback. We had a motion made by
Mr. Gould, supported it, took it to subcommittee, it helped reaffirm
article III. Lastly, thank you to my staff, FW commissioners, wildlife
staff, fisheries staff, we are the voice of the people and that’s what
we’re here for. Thank you.
20. Utility Board – Scherri Greene, Chairman
o Scherri Greene (3:41p): My name is Scherri Greene and I'm in
charge of the utility board. We will start with the sewer and water
utility boards goal which is to provide clean water for our customers as
well as being a reasonable rate structure that our country can afford.
Our water nutrition operates and maintains water systems at north
Lapwai, South Lapwai, and Kamiah. Our utility board consists of
myself as the chairperson, Richard Guzman as secretary, member is
Agnus Weaskus and Lucinda Simpson. Our liason is Rachel Edwards.
We have 125 accounts in Lapwai and 177 in Kamiah. Now here comes
the difficult part, we have past due accounts totaling $16,716.74. We
have revised our past due account door hangers and are working to get
them out. Final upgrades will happen and are tested and upgraded.
Priscilla sent out a list of housing customers with past due balances,
but customers are threatening our workers. We are need in transfer for
utilities overall. Reminder for accounts overdue: we still want to work
with you. Please do not dispose of paper towels into the toilets because
they are clogging. We are fortunate to be working with other groups as
well. I met with housing to help patrons but also get those payments in
line. We ask that people work on the payments. We know it’s a tough
time, but we need to be mindful of our sewer and water system. We
need people working with our staff this issue of threatening our
workers is really tough for them especially when it’s a tribal member
and we’re trying to get along. Reach out we are trying to work with
you. Unfortunately, there are times we have to shut it off. Thank you I
appreciate your time. Out of respect for individual privacy, please
contact Scherri for specific information on past due debt numbers.
3:45 pm
Questions/Comments for the Panel
21. Julian Mathews (3:50p): presents resolution and makes a motion to adopt
this resolution.
o Chairman: is there a second?
§ Second by Mr. Elroy Moffett
o Chairman: reads now therefore be it resolved: “That the NPTEC and
its entities will work on researching and acquiring buffalo to be
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brought to the Tribe for management and development of a Buffalo
herd and provide for all necessary logistics and requirements for
developing and managing a Nimiipuu Buffalo program for the benefit
of the Nimiipuu.” Any questions or comments?
§ Erik Holt (3:59p): I am for the motion. It’s for research of the
feasibility of getting buffalo here. The transfer system is
controlled by ITDC with a step-by-step process. Having this
done, I am for it because there are benefits. We don’t have to
reinvent the wheel.
Chairman: thank you
§ Kay Seven (4p): I’m for it, but question, this is food
sovereignty and why hasn’t the tribe done something already?
§ Ferris Paisano (4p): I’m for it. We have rights on 13 National
Forest. This was brought forward in the past. Allotments are
removed every 10 years. My request is that the NP has the first
right of refusal so if allotment comes up it should be offered to
the NPT. I’m for it.
§ Gayla Gould (4:01p): I support this motion because of grazing
and invasive species control especially in our gathering areas.
I’m in support of this since we’ve been buying land.
§ Question by Robert Kipp.
Motion carried.
22. Gwen Carter (4:03p): 249, I have questions. I live on over the hill drive
which was supposed to be connected to the sewer system. Our septic systems
are drain fuse; they’re all scheduled to fail in the next couple years. It was in
the plans to hook us up and it hasn’t been done. We need a new drain fuel.
When Lee Bourgeau was on committee, she advocated for first foods, and we
need to bring this back. Lastly, my daughter Trish and I, we got a notice about
the Navajo code talkers info being taken down. This has been removed.
What’s happened to Alvin Ameera, they did the DNA testing and located him,
but we don’t know what will happen to him. They’re removing things we need
to stand firm in our history so do we 638 the facility? How dare they remove
that from the sites. I’m angry about that. Our people died for this country.
o Erik Holt (4:07p): I appreciate first foods. I confided in Lee a lot. We
need a first foods program like the Umatilla tribe with a dynamic
mission statement and the deliverables that come from that. We need
something in place because our first foods are under mass destruction.
The Trump administration is coming under fire and destroying our
lands and habitats. I appreciate the removal stuff, and it’s something
we can’t have. I’m sorry for the drain system.
o Ryan Oatman (4:09p): I agree we need to take care of our own.
Losing our history scares me and now more than ever we need it.
NPTEC needs to sit down and talk about how we will preserve our
history and put it on our list as priority. It is concerning to me too, with
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the current administration taking away everyone’s history. I’ll sit with
NPTEC and make it a priority.
23. Shannon Jackson (4:11p): thank you for your words, Scherri, you reminded
me about my water bill. One recommendation, if we can start making
payments more consumer friendly like through my phone it would be so much
easier. I bet you would see improvement. Just a recommendation. Let’s start
getting with the program and make it easier.
24. Jerrod Rickman (4:12p): 3094, for Ryan Oatman, MT trapping and hazing
issues, has the commission at these meetings consulted with OLC about
presenting a threat of a lawsuit due to their trust responsibility? And second,
in regard to our fish, when we divide our cake to 50% with state, is the shobans included in with the state, or our cake? Or, incidental? Third, when I
worked for water resources, I thought SRBA was for the ones who couldn’t
afford to do so?
o Erik Holt (4:14p): yes. I talked to Mike Lopez in OLC to prepare a
statement that has teeth to it to show we are serious about what we are
saying. I agree with you about taking a hard land stance. We need to
watch the state of MT. I definitely agree we need to have a stance.
Second, the Shoban stake comes under the state quota side,
o Jack Yearout (4:16p): follow up on Shoban with context because we
deal with this daily, NPT says Shoban rights are undetermined and
unadjudicated, so they are on state share but aren’t treaty fishers. The
State of Idaho helps them, so we are kind of in this place with the State
of ID where it’s difficult. But the NPT has consistently refused to
acknowledge Shoban tribal harvest. The undetermined rights have put
us in a bad spot. Our position has remained that over time. My hope is
that this can be resolved.
25. Sara Moffett (4:20p): motion to accept the panel’s report, excuse the panel,
and adjourn for the day.
o Chairman: we have Annie McCormack, Elroy Moffett, Gayla Gould,
and Daryl wheeler. Then we will recess for the day.
26. Annie McCormack (4:22p): thank you Ryan for bringing up the library. An
update is that we are subject to DODGE and our library and grants was
terminated on 4/8, so Harry no longer has a contract with the tribe and library
is temporarily closed. We are working hard, not considering this permanent,
and we did file to sue to be reinstated.
27. Elroy Moffett (4:23p): the gentlemen who made the robot, have him make
something to catch the Shobans. And to Shirley, the cemeteries, are they
plotted, and family members know where their family is? I’m looking for a
family member.
o Shirley Allman: that’s the info we need to collect. So, anyone who
has info like that please contact me.
o Erik Holt: my mom has detailed cemetery plots, look to her, and ask
her.
28. Gayla Gould (4:25p): 3312, buffalo harvest requires federal agencies to
consult with tribal nations. Also, MT litigation with the NF, we need to be a
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part of this litigation with our own staff and funding to find the feasibility to it
to pay a butcher and meat to maintain our food and take care of it.
o Erik Holt (4:26p): thank you I appreciate this. There’s a resolution
passed already with foot work to get the right people and task force to
assemble. We just need to look at it from a different lens. I agree.
Also, the processing of buffalo is something we need to do, so
hopefully that comes to fruition. So, thank you I agree and appreciate
your comments.
29. Daryl Wheeler (4:27p): one comment, with the land commission and issues
of trespass, there were homeless people lounging in our yard, and when my
nephew confronted them, they got feisty, and he stood his ground. It’s been a
crisis everywhere, what they call the jungle in Lapwai, we have the compound
by the railroad tracks in an abandoned garage in Kamiah. This is what it’s
come to and it’s going to get a lot worse. The other question, the abandoned
unused railroad cars used going into Lapwai, it’s pretty unsightly to look at.
Deer will have a hard time when they come off the mountain, so was it the
state or RR who abandoned these?
o Shirley Allman (4:32p): this has been brought to the table several
times and we are trying to come up with a solution. I’m not sure Mr.
Chairman if you have info about the RR but it is known, and we will
continue to investigate the question to determine how we can get them
removed.
§ Erik Holt: offer that my uncle always talks about right a ways.
At CRITFC and BMSF, their liaison talks about RRs. Thank
you.
30. Chairman (4:34p): thank you all. This is an important panel.
o Sara Moffet: Motion to accept report, excuse panel, recess for the
day.
§ Second Julian Mathews
§ Call for vote.
§ Motion carried.
4:35 pm
Recess for the day
31. Recess at 4:35p
32. Prayer by Mary Jane Miles
o Closing prayer – Mary Jane Miles, Chaplain, NPTEC
SATURDAY, MAY 03, 2025 - NPTEC GENERAL ELECTION VOTING
POLLING STATIONS:
OPEN AT 7:00 A.M.
NEZ PERCE TRIBE SPRING GENERAL COUNCIL 2025
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Agenda: Friday, May 2, 2025
7:30 am
Registration open (330 tribal members registered)
8:15 am
Call meeting to Order
33. Begin at 8:28a
o Opening prayer – Mary Jane Miles, Chaplain, NPTEC
o Announcements
8:30 am
SUBCOMMITTEE / BOARD / COMMISSION REPORTS
34. Law & Order/Intergovernmental Affairs, Ashton Picard, Chairman
o Ashton Picard (8:33a): thank you madam chair, Introduction of
members and liaisons. We had a couple of amendments with MP25035, MP25-108, and a TERO fee amendment that did not pass. I
would like to introduce Eva White, our acting LOEO who starts
Monday from being Interim. Our Law and Order subcommittee
meeting dates are the first and third Tuesdays. The Law & Order
Subcommittee continues to oversee and support justice, enforcement,
and intergovernmental functions of the Tribe, with a focus on
community protection, legal advocacy, and program development.
Since the last General Council, the Subcommittee has supported 6 new
grants across the Law & Justice Department, including awards to the
Executive Office, Tribal Police, Child Support, Judicial Services, and
TERO. Two amendments to the Tribal Code were enacted, while a
proposed TERO fee adjustment did not advance past public comment.
The Law & Order staffing update includes 6 full-time hires, enhancing
departmental capacity. Community engagement remains a priority,
highlighted by a series of Family Tree Outreach events and cultural
programming in partnership with Head start. Subcommittee members
and liaisons continue to represent the tribe on key intergovernmental
platforms such as the Idaho Council of Indian Affairs, Juvenile Justice
Commission, and Gaming Commission. I commend our child support
program for their outreach as well as our opioid response manager, and
his outreach that he’s been doing for his program which he’ll speak to.
I want to say thank you for the opportunity to be able to serve as lawand-order chair, and hope if there are any questions they will be asked.
Thank you.
35. Law & Justice Executive Officer - Interim Eva J. White
o Eva White (8:37a): Hello everyone I’ll start by introducing myself.
My name is Eva White, I grew up in Lapwai, my father is Billy and
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mother is Mary. I worked for the tribe as chief judge, and I am proud
and honored to be here before you. I worked as an interim since
November and am trying to bring things back to follow procedures. I
haven’t been at the office for more than a few days a week. But Peggy
Vanwoerkom has done a lot of work. Our report is pretty inclusive of
everything going on. And now that I’m full time I can provide more.
At this point that’s all I have other than what was in the report.
36. Opioid Response Manager - Brooklyn Baptiste
o Brooklyn Baptiste (8:39a): thank you for Mary Jane and her opening
prayer. Sets the tone for my program. My office is located at the tribal
court building and the Methodist Hall and that way the people I work
with are more comfortable to visit. I appreciate the ability to be able to
work for these departments. My position stems from a court case that
the tribe has filed against a pharmaceutical company where we got a
settlement in increments. This gives us a holistic idea to offer
assistance and how to move forward with tribal opioid use and
addiction prevention. I work in prevention, incarceration, and recovery
and treatment. This keeps me busy. I just want to express my
appreciation for these staff members: L&O, NPTEC, NMPH, tribal
police chief, communication, social services, wildlife division
(mentorship), healing lodge of 7 nation, CHAS health, Idaho
department of corrections, surrounding jail systems, prayer circle
smudging. It’s a continued driven effort where we find ways to
amplify new efforts to address this issue. Using our culture as a
component and baseline for all the work that we do here. This is part
of the abatement process. And it’s still growing to be able to change
and meet the needs for our people whether they’re youth, adults, or
behind bars. I work with our jail to implement restorative justice which
is alternatives and a different method which is our culture. So, we can
go into the system and connect with the people in there with a prayer
circle or a sweat house so we can provide alternatives for our people
who are in there. We encourage this and it's what NPTEC envisioned.
It all started in the 90s when our people didn’t know opioids were
synthetic which is highly addictive. They pushed this on our people
and those pain meds contain opioids that will get you addicted. And
the pharmaceuticals knew this that’s why we joined the lawsuit. I will
tell you that fentanyl is the worst version, its deadly, manufactured in
China, and now Mexico cartels are synthetically reducing it to make
money. It’s the worst drug and is now seen in other drugs to get people
addicted and make money. It’s dangerous and only takes one time to
use the drug to overdose and die. It also only takes one time to have a
discussion about it to stop it and prevent and it’s terrible to see. I know
people here have experienced it or know people who have died from it
so that’s why this program is important for the tribe. Our main purpose
is to reduce by 50% in three years. Prescription by 30%. With
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rehabilitative purposes with a culture component. We are on target, but
the new administration declared they would make fentanyl a priority
so there’s funding available but because of the other budget cuts,
agencies are struggling to obtain the funding. But we can move
forward, the law enforcement and justice system has offered
methodologies in the part that they place with state and federal
agencies. It’s not made here but it’s coming through our community.
The judge and the court also work with me on this instead of jail time.
There’s a jail court or healing to wellness framework, for example I
joined probation on a trip to visit the Colville tribe who has a
peacemakers court. We had one championed by Bernice Moffett, to
support going in and out of court which give individuals mentors and
school systems, but they don’t do sexual or violent crime. However,
they work diligently to provide that path instead of jail time. Right
now, I work with juveniles in leu of having the youth do jail time, I
work with the youth as a peacemaker court and as a mentor. Some
data: 10/23/-9/24 1 fentanyl death; 5 Narcan; 3 Narcan uses that saved
lives. So, it’s important to keep working to reduce this by 50% which
we are seeing. From 10/24-12/24, 2 deaths from Narcan (3) and one
life saving. We need to provide Narcan training to our community and
programs. Our day labor program is stacked with Narcan. Sasheena
Williams has a grant to train and provide Narcan to our community.
Some things we do is enhance law enforcement efforts so our tribal
police will be identified or in some cases they might not understand
cultural sensitivity so they’re working on improving that. The tribe just
supplemented the NMPH with suboxone. That is changing and they’re
trying to offer at the NMPH. The ability to get that takes a transition.
We will continue through public education on the mission of opioids
to stop the use of following that path. Talking about a men’s group:
there’s a large gap in the ability for men or women to come out of
treatment. They don’t have a place, so we have a goal of a long-term
care program. Our men need a group in Lapwai and Kamiah (cancelled
due to death in community). We want to draw all men together
regardless of where they’re from as a holistic view. Communities
might be different, but our needs are the same. We need an
understanding of what we need as men. A number of men showed up
and the meeting was great where they expressed their needs to better
the community and offer services to elders, and mentorship
opportunities for the youth, and longhouse teaching to put that back in
our community. This will help us build a stronger environment as men,
so we are continuing to work on this but one of the main needs is a
long-term patient facility, halfway house, and treatment. We will
continue to work along the NPT. I just want to say thank you to all the
departments I speak with (Social Services, housing, law and order,
NMPH). They all deserve praise because they are doing a lot and it’s a
really difficult issue to handle to sit with people who are struggling or
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homeless, people that you know and love. What we are doing is
holistically provide efforts to individuals. It’s the achievements that
the tribe puts forward and it’s great. To hear from our youth that our
work is preventing them from committing suicide is huge. We are
pulling everyone together, everyone is committed to fighting this, and
changing the environment we have so our kids have a lot more to do.
Our education department provides great support. I encourage help
with our men’s group so we can balance and support our community
with. Thank you again for the NPTEC for allowing me to operate.
Keep everyone in prayer. Our people are in dire need. It’s tough to see
them suffer and we are committed to change that. So, thank you.
37. Chief of Police - Mark Benson
o Mark Benson (9:00a): good morning, 10/1-4/3= 1241 calls; canine
Monta 25 deployments; 15 narcotics (8 nontribal). Monta can track
with having 2 fugitive captures this year. Our drone was used with the
U.S. Marshalls when there was a violent predator living on the
reservation. We used our drone and arrested this individual. For
community engagement, I want my officers out in the community
events, school, local and state agencies, escorts for memorial services
which is unique, but we are proud and happy to do it. Grant funding
purchased 5 new vehicles (received in august). Stop sticks for
deflating tires, we used them helping NP county stop someone driving
at a high speed. Training with grant funds and free training has been to
the best of our ability (15 Trainings). This week through our liaison,
we will host leadership crisis training in August. Criminal division
focused on providing quality police work. We are with the internet
crimes against children. We have trained officers on this to help us
hunt down people going after our kids. For administration, no police
department runs well without Marie Baheza and Brenda Axtell. We
will hire a tribal female officer after background to hopefully have
here ASAP. We also received a $762K award. MMIP interviews are in
place currently. This is a new concept, I didn’t know a lot about, but
have done a lot of research and training, I love this concept because
they’re too reactive. This database is proactive to find people at risk,
get as a much information, and hopefully we will have the head start.
It will be successful. We have new technology called power DIS to
upload files and trainings. We have in-car cameras. With our jail
coming, we will have Motorola data transfers so we can do more with
our records instead of depending on the county. We have hired 7
people in the last 6 months (Kamelle B., Mathew Griffin, David Jr,
Patrick, Gabriella, Sage Lonebear, Preslee Moses). Our jail is
functional and ready to go. Our Spillman records system, like I said
earlier we’re going to have that installed. It’s going to make things
easier for us and make us more independent. We will have one of the
most modern jails in the region, but we need to hire staff and have the
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budget. We went through BIA inspection with a few things to work on
but our system is ready to go. We had 2 people graduate from the
corrections. Last but not least, for the first time in history we lost
Officer Reuben. It was hard for us as a department. Thank you for
your support for the family and for us. It was hard and the entire way
from the grave site from here is to remember him far past when I’m
gone. Instead of officer of the year, we thought let’s call it the Reuben
Award. So, we dedicated the office to the Reuben room, and that
ceremony will be next week. Thank you to the community for all the
support you gave us and his family.
38. TERO Commission - Mary TallBull, Chairman
o Melvin Wheeler (9:11a): Mary is absent due to deaths from family.
So, I am the director, Laatis Lawrence is our client advocate, Calvin
Allen is our compliance officer, and Julia Gould is our office
specialist. Our vision is to have full employment for all Nez Perce
tribal members in the job market on the Nez Perce Reservation and
surrounding areas. I’d like to highlight our youth. We’ve come a long
ways with our youth and I support our liaison, Ryan Oatman, who has
been instrumental in helping us. And Ashton has attended our
meetings. They’re working hard to support us. Our Youth
Apprenticeship program is being highlighted for being in the top five
tribal apprenticeship programs in Idaho. We have amendments we
want changed with the change of administration, there are a lot of
changes, but I think we’ll come out on top. We are in the for the ride.
Thank you.
39. Gaming Commission - Gabriel Bohnee, President
o Gabriel Bohnee (9:19a): good morning, I serve as the president of the
Gaming Commission. The Gaming Commission works with the staff
through the L&O side, we oversee their activities as we regulate the
gaming community. I take this role very seriously since it’s a way we
exercise our sovereign rights: we regulate ourselves; we don’t get help;
we regulate our own community. It’s a vital piece in this new
administration that will affect our federal programs. Gaming is our
biggest profit. Darryl Reuben and Eva Higheagle sit on the
commission with me. The staff are Leotis McCormack as Director;
Mark Souza as Chief Compliance Officer; Alene Powaukee as Internal
Auditor; Ken Kipp as Gaming Agent; and Liz Minkey as Licensing
Agent. We are right off NP road, but don’t use the highway where
there’s a ditch. That’s where you get your license. You apply at HR
but to get the license you come to our facility to make sure you’re
ready to go on the floor. Our WHY: we have a compact with Idaho.
We have ambitions and look to expand into Washington, that’s my
role to stay on top of it and look at it in a different way since it’s a
different state. Idaho is hands off as long as we give 5%. Washington
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actually has a commission and union so in my spare time I have been
researching how these things operate. We see there are findings in
audits, which aren’t bad, they just need correction. Nothing is perfect
in the business world. We find them to take care and make sure we are
in compliance. The auditors are there to remind us of and help us with
reinforcement. I say that to stress this is our business we have to take
care of because it provides a lot of services to our people. Every dollar
and penny are scrutinized. These are dollars that we run and regulate
ourselves and utilize without that threat of being over sought. Some
important steps: new facility because our offices aren’t supposed to be
with the gaming building- we hold sensitive information, so we need
to store it well and provide good customer service; as staff Leotis,
Mark, Liz, and I we have to take a look to make determinations when
it comes to licenses. We did an annual training that gives us a right to
look at this information and making sure it’s secure and confidential.
Be assured here at NPT we are protecting your data and keeping it
safe; our fee schedule is tasked to the director to review- we have
technology needs to adapt what’s online, like fingerprint capabilities.
I’ll finish with a fun one, we regulate class II (bingo regulated by
NIGC) gaming and class III (machines with randomizing). Problems
with BINGO is when third parties request to run a bingo, we need
standards and regulations so we can get it out to people right away so
we can regulate efficiently, and it’s done in the right way without
putting our license at risk. We are making sure that we have
everything proper. In closing, during my day job I work in ERWM
where we work with regulators. What makes it work is great and clear
and transparent communication. I believe as my term in my third year
I am making sure we set up those communication lines so that we are
going forward because it never feels good to be audited without good
and clear communication. I told our staff that we are here to offer
technical assistance to make sure that things are on top, and we are
here to work. I take this role importantly. Thank you.
10:30 am
Questions/Comments for the Panel
40. Eva Higheagle (9:30a): thank you Brooklyn. I recommend getting another
person in this position to help. It’s a stressful position to be in for our family.
There’s so much we need to learn as family as far as enabling and being
supportive in sobriety. I would like to make that recommendation. Please look
into this. It’s tough to be in the position of enabling and going through the
court system, I would like to see more strict policy on if you’re serving time
that they are required to go through treatment or mental health where it comes
from the traumas, we’ve delt with. I feel that behavior health should be
involved and only we can help enforce that. We need a better path forward it
is up to that person to make that decision so if we can help enforce that and
help that, it would be good. Thank you.
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o Ashton Picard: thank you the work done at this point is crucial. I
know we have started to look for those grants. Thank you.
o Brooklyn Baptiste: thank you we are looking to expand our staff.
41. Judy Oatman (9:38a): good morning, sorry I missed the report, but I want to
comment for the captain Benson, when do you anticipate inmates moving into
the facility? It’s a necessity. I’m appreciative of the hard work put into it. And
a comment on the NPT’s participation with the funerals. I was at my moms
and heard you guys coming and my heart jumped, and I followed you all and
participated, it made me cry, it was emotional, people pulled off the road with
so much respect, I appreciate you doing it. And other services thank you and
kudos I appreciate it and everyone on the panel. Gabe Bohnee, thank you for
informing us I appreciate knowing there are people with expertise in positions
to represent us. Mr. Baptiste please continue to do more I know it’s hard. We
are here as a community to help. Thank you.
o Mark Benson: the jail has a functioning building; the budgetary
constraints are making it difficult. To have it run I need 12 staff but
only have the budget for 6. To expedite the process, we are signing an
agreement with clearwater so they’re training and ready to go when we
open. It’s called the restorative justice center. We need the tribe to take
care of the people.
§ Judy Oatman: so, we can’t get a date? Because last GC I
stood up here and told everyone it wouldn’t be open. We need
to see what’s happening.
Mark Benson: it could be 4-6 months, but we’d have
to get it approved and policies in place. But we need 12
people to run it.
o Brooklyn Baptiste: thank you that’s exactly what we need is support,
education, and a place for our people to go. We are trying to amplify
this. It’s integral. We will continue to provide what we do. I appreciate
it we definitely need the support.
42. Jeanette Weaskus (9:41a): good morning, Mr. Baptiste, I work for Nakia
Williamson in the Cultural Resource Program. A few weeks ago, I got a call
transfer to my desk from an inmate it IDOC, enrolled NP, and he asked me
how he could get beads sent to IDOC. How can he get beads donated? He also
asked for sweat lodge ailments. So, I’m speaking up for those 3 men down
there who want bead donations. I reached out to Social Services, and she said
she would post a flyer. So, putting this out to Brooks or anyone here to take to
box up and send down to our tribal members in jail. Thank you.
o Brooklyn Baptiste: thank you. I appreciate that I got that same
request, so we are actively stocking beads at Methodist, and I’ll work
with you to get those to the inmates. I appreciate that. I will meet with
you to help with that effort. Anyone else, we are always in need of
donations.
o Ashton Picard: thank you for taking the call and following up for
them. This goes hand in hand with the vitalness of incorporating our
own jail so we can provide those resources directly. Our culture is
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affected in rehabilitation. So being able to sweat, bead, etc., is
important so thank you for following up to get this done.
43. Georganne Morrison: Gaming Commission, I’d like to know about our elder
day regarding how we are out of compliance about using the bingo caller and
where is it written when other tribes use their staff?
o Gabriel Bohnee: the thing is, with bingo, as long as something is
written in the beginning and approved, that’s fine. We can’t do
multiple requests without following up. If you’re in bingo hall and
using the hopper, it’s a regulated machine for the bingo cards, there are
specific cards that go to it to tell if its correct. So, we need to make
sure these match ahead of time. We are trying to make this a simple
process for language to develop that is our own internal code. We
worry about NIGC staff being on site and us being at risk for not
complying. So, Leotis is going to take forward with Mark Souza to get
language that simplifies this process, so we remain in compliance. We
just need to clarify and set parameters.
44. Sara Moffett (9:55a): concern where I live by senior citizen complex in
Kamiah, we have a big cat issue up there. I looked up on the internet (2 litters
right now), nobody is helping us. We have asked every department; I’ve
talked personally to people at housing and law enforcement. My non-Indian
neighbor has called Idaho legislators, etc. people are telling us to kill them.
Community members say bring them to the barns. That’s the most humanely
thing we can do. They carry parasites, rabies, etc., people are up by the senior
citizen complex without good immune systems. I’m too scared to let my
grandkid out. I’m asking for traps so I can bring them to barns. Hopefully
that’ll help, I don’t know what else will happen. Thank you.
o Mark Benson: I have a good relationship with animal shelters to get
traps and will check on this.
45. Robert Kipp (9:58a): question to police, the dog situation in Lapwai is really
bad. Dogs are running around, chasing people, biting our people we can’t
even go for walks anymore. I thought we had a dog ordinance. What’s going
on with this?
o Mark Benson: there is tribal animal ordinances. I’ve been talking
with OLC and the prosecutor about this. They need to be improved for
the safety of the tribe. We are working to make changes for animal
control, we used to have one officer who worked closely with this but
he’s full time at the jail. I have made suggestions to NPTEC. My
suggestion is for the city of Lapwai and tribe to hire an animal control
officer. Have a contract with the shelters and we can get the
community safe.
o Ashton Picard: definitely being on NPTEC and a community
member, I see the dogs and the packs. It is an issue. The cats as well.
We need to seek out those programs to alleviate the issue and I think
we need to hold the individuals who own the animals responsible.
There are dogs and cats who aren’t neutered which is part of the
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answer as well. So, when those opportunities arrive, we need those pet
owners to come forward and take those services seriously.
§ Mark Benson: I recently spoke with the animal Idaho rescue
and it’s one person in the neighborhood with the 4th litter with
44 puppies in the last year. Be good neighbors, have that talk,
hold each other accountable, the LCV has plenty of animal
support who will reduce costs.
46. Anthony Johnson (10:04a): thank you, my request is to L&O subcommittee
chair about the previous comment to clarify the code, and that amendment
came to process. One issue was the recognition of local law enforcement in
applying the F&W code. It wasn’t adopted, which is good historically. My
concern is the process was to clarify but amendments were supposed to be
posted for 15 days, which was married into one process. Tribal members are
being approached by Idaho fish and game asking for their tribal code. So, a
thought that it might be coming out but I’m requesting clarification sent to
local agencies, so our fishermen are not bothered in this upcoming fishing
season.
o Ashton Picard: I can see the confusion; I will work with our Law
enforcement for clarification in our surrounding area and usual and
accustomed areas (buffalo and zone 6). I’ll make sure those know
changes haven’t been made. The conversation hasn’t come back
around. The entire general council needs to be together on those
changes and we need to be cognitive of setting a precedent in our FW
code. So, I am very hesitant to make any changes and give outside
agencies ammo against our treaty. I take your suggestion and will
communicate with our law enforcement to make them aware of what
the actual current code is without amendment or changes.
47. Marisa Rickman (10:09a): I have a big cat in my property, we had a male
cougar in our yard on ash avenue and recently I heard scrambling by my
window and a cougar. What I want to know is why can’t we defend ourselves
on our land a shoot it without a fine? Why can’t I protect myself on my own
land?
o Mark Benson: for the tribal code I’m not sure, but in Idaho code, if
it’s a clear and present danger, you can.
48. Daryl Wheeler (10:12a): thank you madam chair, 2504, I’d like to offer my
compliments and respect to Mr. Baptiste. I know that’s a hard undertaking.
My comment is that we also encourage him to educate our young people. I
remember back in the 70s it was really bad with the young people with
inhalants. I encourage offering education to young people on the danger of
inhalants. To the panel, I’m curious about response times. It takes a while for
response and what id like to request is placing a mini satellite office in
Orofino. This would really help those concerns. I’m glad what Ms. Weaskus
presented. Encourage everyone as a whole for those of family incarcerated,
write them letters.
o Brooklyn Baptiste: thank you you’re right we are working at
expanding our education and community meetings. Looking to hold an
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encampment and expand on that for our youth and educational
opportunities for adults. But to be honest, this drug issue is never
going away because we use it in our current condition. So, education is
important, and I agree with you about talking with each other and
writing people behind bars. I know relatives here need encouragement.
It makes a huge difference in their life. All they want is to feel that
they’re part of our community and tribe.
o Mark Benson: regarding the presence upriver, we have made vast
improvement with response time, our hiring has helped a lot with a
few openings still. 2 officers minimum at all times and by the end of
year we should have 3 to have one in the Orofino area.
49. Julian Mathews (10:20a): in the constitution, the NPT has jurisdiction over
1855 treaty land, if that’s not the case, I don’t get that. Constitution says
within 1855 in really clear language. So, keep that in people’s ear. Read the
constitution. It doesn’t say reservation. But to clarify, the snake river dam
breaching agreement, I don’t know the status of that right now. Will trump
honor this? Also, the endangered species, how come OLC doesn’t push to say
we have jurisdiction over these animals in our treaty area?
o Ashton Picard: with jurisdiction, I completely agree, we should be
able to have a say, it does impact our ability to harvest and practice our
treaty rights. So, jurisdiction is key thank you.
50. Jerrod Rickman (10:23a): 3094, our law-and-order code for failure to show
identification, 317(p). This is important because I get complaints every year
about descendants actively hunting and fishing. But the rule if under 18 let it
slide. Enforcement starts after. Which is wrong, if we allow them young,
what’s the point of subsequent enforcement? So that doesn’t make sense. This
is also important because OLC and our tribe and Chairman have a foothold
and stance to call out our outside agencies for not doing their job by making
sure those who hunt, and fish are enrolled NP. Our sister tribes (Spokane,
Umatilla, Shoshone) are trying.
o Ashton Picard: thank you. We need to be cognizant of how we move
forward. Sometimes checking IDs can be used against us. We want to
ensure that we aren’t setting precedent and standards. I appreciate your
comment and response. A quick shoutout is we haven’t had auditory
complaints. So, I applaud the maintenance and staff.
o Chairman Wheeler: response to Mr. Mathews, on the agreement
signed, it had provisions and off ramps in case changes arose from
new administration. We do have legal off ramps for this. The BP wants
to continue the agreement more in the spring and less in the summer
spill due to the heat domes. Out of that, the tribe is set to potentially
get 160 million.
51. Erik Holt (10:32a): good morning, 2708, 3 things. First, to Ms. White, the
FW commission is put in a position in zone 6 where our members are harassed
on a daily basis due to alternative gear. How can our court system and law and
order code ensure our court understands we aren’t putting regulations that will
incriminate our tribal members? The interpretation at zone 6 is being sent
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back to you which then becomes a harassment. Second, one huge factor is
trump stopped the Columbia River treaty. I went to DC twice, what will
happen. Be aware.
o Eva White: thank you I will make this a focus.
52. Alene Powaukee (10:36a): good morning, more of a comment, I appreciate
what Brooklyn is doing for our people. I work for the tribe, I receive
communications, I don’t know who is in charge, but I know I read Facebook
and there are people in there that say apprehended from Kooskia. I offer using
our communications department that show whoever is selling this or that, so
our people understand that said person is doing this on our reservation. Tribal
police put out something on Facebook, but even if it’s spelt out to the NP
people, maybe we can try to help and understand who is within our
neighborhood who is selling.
o Ashton Picard: thank you, I definitely think that communication with
social media is a transition that is still occurring. I personally miss the
tribe’s newspaper but something that’s no longer present. I know that
previously there was something along the lines where they weren’t
being posted so I think the conversation should be had. If there’s a
clear and current danger our people need to be made aware. But things
that are settled, let them be settled. As we proceed forward, there is
still a lot to learn without communications, but I appreciate your
communications.
53. Aaron Gould (10:40a): 3075, LOEO- in our history we are criminalized as
fishermen, there’s a civil and criminal side, so right now fishermen are being
criminalized in our own code. What does it take to turn the infractions in our
own code into a civil process something that isn’t criminal?
o Eva White: I’m starting my new position on Monday, and this is one
of the things I will put on the top of my to-do list. Making
amendments to the code I know is an ongoing process. I will make
sure that we look into this and do what we can. That’s something that
will need to also be discussed with the general council. I will do what I
can to make this a priority.
54. Mildred Penney (10:44a): is the Gaming Commission building temporary?
o Gabriel Bohnee: no, it’s permanent. We are working to make it easier
to access. We are working to get it in the GPS, so people know where
to turn.
55. Carla Timentwa (10:44a): comments, first thank you chief of police for
report would be good to hear more on the corrections facility on completion
dates. Second, Kamiah office for law and order that sits vacant most of the
time and as Ms. White knows a lot of funds went into the building. So, the
issue of prioritizing projects, this building wasn’t even on the construction
projects. We invested money into those. Lastly police, I recommend you
include in your plan something for officer wellness. They see a lot of
traumatic events and need some way to process those feelings and emotions
because they are people like us and need access to the ability to process. To
Brooklyn, I appreciate your work, but we need our people in Kamiah and
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Orofino who need help as well. It’s hard to see them struggle and lost in trying
to identify what resources are available. The resolution regarding the Shoban
litigation, NPTEC took action, GC was requested to do the same. What is
being enforced? He has a right to be here under the constitution so what are
we doing? We need to be aware as Mr. Picard mentioned, it’s a clear and
present danger against our treaty rights. Thank you.
o Mark Benson: jail comes down to staffing, officer wellness is a big
issue and I’m glad you mention this. I’m working on finding funds for
an officer wellness app. We have made officer wellness a priority and
are actively working on it.
o Brooklyn Baptiste: thank you for your comments. We do work in all
of the communities. We did a survey for an assessment of Orofino and
Kamiah. We will continue to expand our efforts and see what we can
do. Housing is working on tiny homes they took that from the
Executive office, and they are doing a great job at improving this. My
intent is to offer more cultural access and work and find a place for
sweat lodges. Thank you.
o Ashton Picard: regarding the NPTEC’s action and recommendation
for GC to do the same, I’m upset about our tribal member.
56. Chairman: excuse me Mr. Picard, before we go further into NPTEC’s action
and recommendation, I entertain a motion to accept the report, excuse the
panel, and move into executive session as a general council. That way the
council can discuss this matter confidentially.
o Motion Merilyn Bowen
o Second Scherri Greene.
o Motion carried.
57. Entertain a motion to go into executive session for the NPTEC’s action and
recommendation?
o Eva Higheagle motions
o Second Shirley Allman
§ Motion carried.
58. Executive Session 11:00a
o (12:37p) Meredith Moffett Motion to come out of Executive
Session and break for lunch.
§ Second by Aaron Gould.
11:45 am
Lunch Break
1:00 pm
Back to Order
59. Chairman (1:47p): We have a motion up on the projector which reads:
“Motion that the Nez Perce Tribe General Council shall, due to a conflict of
interest, immediately restrict Mr. Derek Red Arrow a/k/a Mr. Derek Red
Arrow Frank (an enrolled member of the Nez Perce Tribe who is providing
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legal representation to the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes on claims adverse to the
Nez Perce Tribe’s Treaty-reserved rights) from access to any confidential and
sensitive information that he would otherwise be privy to as an enrolled
member of the Tribe, relating to the Nez Perce Tribe and its Treaty-reserved
fishing rights.” So, at this point, we entertain someone to make a motion, a
second, and then Mr. Frank will be awarded due process and have an
opportunity to speak.
o Motion Sam Brisbois
o Second Shirley Allman
60. Chairman: Is Mr. Frank present? Can someone get Mr. Frank and if he hasn’t
signed in with a badge, he’ll need to do that first.
61. Derek Red Arrow Frank (1:57p): well, I guess now everyone knows my
name. This is really hard. My name is Derek Red Arrow Frank 3868, my
family is from here. My father is Alfred frank, Mother Ella frank. Auntie is
Mary Beth frank. When I decided to be an attorney, I thought what can I do
for Indian country? I’m going to be a treaty attorney. I have the honor of
representing over 98 tribes from here to FL. With that a case came across my
desk 6 months ago about protecting fish and making sure fish made it to their
streams. However, it came with me representing Shoshone Bannock. I spoke
to elders asking the right thing to do. In my heart after sweating for months
straight, I came to the conclusion that the fish are best priority and tribes
should work together and stand together strong using all of our treaty rights to
make sure we do what we care about. I have that spirit in my heart and soul.
However, I did not know the hurt that was going to come from the tribe. I
didn’t know the feelings of betrayal. I didn’t foresee it would get to this point.
So, I apologize from my heart. However, it’s been told to me by people here
that being Nimiipuu comes first and is it worth it. Quite frankly I apologize,
but with that I’ll tell you I have recused myself from this case. I will not file.
We have a draft complaint but after conversations, I feel the hurt. The thing I
ask in the future is to come to me. If you know me, I’m a good person. I care
about you. This motion and these things written about the case are wrong.
That’s not what matters. What matters is what hurts here. I am one of you
even if you don’t like me. Do know that we are here together. So yes, as of
today I am done with this case.
o NPTEC Chairman Wheeler (2:03p): it takes a lot of courage to
know that what you’re doing in your life, coming before the people,
and saying now he understands something he didn’t understand before.
He didn’t understand the fights we talk about, the fights of our
fishermen, he also mentioned the relationship to life itself and the
relationship to the land where our true relationship is. To be able to
understand and feel that your people are hurt because of the actions of
our enemy, is a better understanding of the people and understand that
he does do good work. I have had lunch with him. I know he put his
place where it should be. But when adverse to who we are in our
beliefs, that information that comes from us comes from our heart and
strategies cannot be exposed to other tribes. Understand the feelings of
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o
o
o
o
o
the people here and those who can’t be here. We will wait to see that
you’ve removed yourself from this meet and confer and possible
litigation that may be in the future.
Julian Mathews (2:07p): when we opposed dam breaching the tribe
was against this. It’s interesting to see the way we view things. They
could’ve targeted any of us for what we didn’t go along with. But now
everyone is for it. The general council, this comes down to fish. How
many fish will be left for anyone to divide? That’s what we need to
look at the overall. Rather than arguing about other amounts. I’m 67, I
want to make sure there’s fish for the kids.
Eva Higheagle (2:09p): I am for the motion. This is minimal
considering Mr. Frank’s actions. This is minimal based on the conflict
of interest for even considering. To be honest he should’ve came to
NPTEC. We don’t need to go to him. He had all of that opportunity
and until it was open. This should stand until we can receive that he
has stepped down. We need documentation and proof that you’re no
longer representing. I feel bad for both tribes. You’re providing an
injustice for both tribes. So, I am for this motion. The motion speaks to
the conflict of interest.
Erik Holt (2:11p): Derek, it’s commendable that you come in here
before all of us to share your words. One thing I still find is you know
that you’re the only one who has the tribal treaty right to speak
towards. I know there are ways to minimize conflicts of interest, or an
NDA after leaving the tribe. There is an exit plan when you leave the
tribe and then 10 years later, you’re against us. But I do commend you
for apologizing to all of us. When I was younger, I watched what the
Shobans did to our people. So, I’m confused by your actions. I hope
you do recuse yourself. I’m leaving right now to get salmon for our
people. That was hurtful to our part. I respect you for coming in front
of us. But at the same time, you knew the issues that were in place. So,
I would like it documented so we can move forward. Shobans are our
traitors. I have friends but I tell them straight up this is our territory.
Elroy Moffett (2:14p): as I said earlier, being family, knowing your
family history, this hurt me. It still does. It also makes me proud that
you are able to come in front of us and being able to say your peace. I
think that was important is that you’re not just letting it slide. We
aren’t going to let it slide or fester. When you do that, that’s when you
get into problems as the community. For me, I just still feel in my
heart that family is the most important so for me to come up here and
being able to face you, it brings me pride because your great
grandmother and my grandmother were sisters. That’s how close we
are. Just like Erik said, I’d like to see it in writing. We do not forget
that once we see it, I think you’ll improve a lot of things. Thank you.
Lori Picard (2:17p): thank you, I support the motion because I feel
that it’s both ways, just as Mr. Frank said. We feel you should’ve came
to us. And I am thankful and glad that you have recused yourself from
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o
o
o
o
this case as you have stated. I also ask as your friend Rob Roy Smith,
who was paid by the NPT and worked for the NPT, that he’ll recuse
himself too. Will your law firm withdraw? That is what we would like
especially with Rob working for the tribe and being paid by the NPT.
We will not know if you are working on the case or not if Rob and
your firm is still on the case. We won’t know if you’re working on it
or not. Only you will know. Mr. Red Arrow, you still have access to
tribal info, I speak love and respect to people here, our passion for our
rights reserved by our ancestors, and it has been powerful and good
and is needed, and a sleeping giant has awoke. That’s a good thing.
Lastly, Derek, we hope you encourage and push Rob Roy smith,
former employee of the NPT to withdraw from this case. Actions
speak louder than words.
Anthony Johnson (2:20p): thank you, I guess to begin, I would like
to say in the interim until we have what people desire (documentation),
I support the motion. But also, a correction that came from my elder
who told me when you give your word you keep it. I believe in you
now. But a lot of history is being relived in my heart here. It goes back
to a lot of people I thought of my uncle. When I was young and
complaining, he said do something about it. This was rapid river time.
We kept them in GC for 6 days. A lot of good people who lived and
fought rapid river for our rights. It came to my heart again. So, I thank
you, but I also thank that we united around a cause. I feel we have
been dying from a thousand cuts. So, a united people are strong
people.
Anthony Capetillo: it’s time for you to make good on your word. We
know you can do it. Come do it for us. We have issues all over the
place. Let’s start doing it. Disenrollment is too harsh. We need it in
writing what you told them, what they had access to, get it all on the
table. Thank you.
Samuel Brisbois (2:25): old story today, pre-1855, that big bluff
across from white bird hill. There was a skull there. A long time ago a
Nez Perce man was out looking for warriors. The Shobans threw a
young NP boy off the cliff but there was so much moss on the rocks
that the young boy lived. He stayed in the rocks and ran down the hill
to let the people know they were coming. So, they knew they were
coming and hid the women and children and when the Shobans came
they were captured. They cried the entire time. NP spared them but
took them to Weiser and told them if they ever come back, we’ll kill
you off. These are our enemies. Those are our fish. That’s our salmon.
Thank you.
Alice Spaulding (2:27p): thank you madam chair. 2444. My grandpa
Wallace Wheeler took us to Southfork and rapid river. So, to protect
that and my mom was one of those. We watched our mom with the
cops with guns, pull her out of that river and arrest her because she
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o
o
o
o
o
was fighting for our rights. So, I’m sorry Derek, but I’m for this
motion because I’d like to see your recusal in writing.
Jerrod Rickman (2:29p): 3094, I respect you for admitting your
faults and saying in front of everyone you’ll recuse. But as of right
now I’m for the motion. You said when you were up here that you
spoke to elders. But you didn’t mention anyone here that you could’ve
talked to here at home. You could’ve talked to people here. I
understand you’re trying to do good, but that’s a slap in my face. I
don’t play NP, I don’t do fish or hunt for social media, this is how I
live. I’m not for disenrollment. It’s up to us to teach you so you
understand. Thank you.
Kerma Greene (2:30p): if the tribe wants the other attorney to recuse
himself, then maybe NPTEC and OLC need to send a letter to the firm.
NPTEC has the authority to do that. It’s not his job. For future
safeguard, we can write in your contracts that you’ll never go against
the tribe in any matter. This goes for everyone. So maybe we need to
change that and amend the resolution. Chairman I’m watching you if
you go against the tribe, I’ll embarrass you in front of everyone. Thank
you.
§ NPTEC Chairman Wheeler: there is a letter that has already
been sent to the firm.
Tonia Garcia: attorneys have a responsibility. I can’t imagine going
to law school and considering a case against my treaty rights. There’s
a big difference. Program fights are very different than our treaty
rights. We don’t mess around with those. He has a responsibility to
disclose these things. This is a conflict of interest. With lawyers you
always want everything in writing.
Dennis Paul (2:35p): good afternoon, I am honored to be here, I have
a few things about this motion. That should be a decision made by the
people. Not by one person. Abide by our treaty rights I have abided by
the sports fishing license when I returned from Vietnam. I have a
lifetime fishing permit out of CA. And the ones setting up the stupid
laws, when I started fishing, they had size limits on these fish. So as a
body, you folks make the rules and regulations who encroach upon our
stepping grounds. Nobody should come in here and say they want to
fish on our property. Am I correct? That’s all I got to say. You’re the
voting power. Stay within your rights and don’t let anyone encroach.
Scherri Greene (2:38p): 1964, one thing that we do in zone 6, I look
at our people, I spoke to other elders and people who were fighting for
their treaty rights. Other elders, my parents, I look at this article that I
see, and a time in the 60s our folks were down in the Columbia before
it was rapid river. Working on the Boldt decision. I remember. He
went against the tribe because the tribe didn’t back him. It was Jess
Greene v. state of Oregon not the NPT. Everybody benefits. I hear
people say I come from nontreaty. Are we going to disown people who
say that? We can’t help that people go off the reservation and do
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things for other tribes. They don’t have control they’re like us they are
working. So, are we going to get mad at our tribal members? This
disenrollment. What do you want to do? We have issues with
mismanagement.
o Mary Jane Miles (2:42p): thank you for apologizing it has been a sad
day for me because I remember rapid, Sililo falls, Columbia River and
Grandma Liz testifying. I remember all of them fighting for our fish
and our treaty. It hurts me to see the generation gap between the young
and the old. Because I’m getting off of NPTEC. There’s a gap between
you and me. I had to talk with all of my elders because I hung around
them. My grandma put me to sleep telling me the legends. We are
lacking that in important issues like this. My mom was married to Levi
Frank, and he was killed. So, you are family to me, and I just feel that
general council was learning more and more about the
misunderstandings that we have. Ignoring misunderstandings. I’m glad
you saw the hurt that the tribe went through. Because my heart hurts. I
was shedding tears because of the issue. I think what this does is draws
us closer and knowing that this is part of the problem. I’d like to throw
my smart phone away and go back to the good old days. I’ve been
taught by great people who took me down to fish on the Columbia
because I had to learn more. I had to know more. So, thank you for
your talk and I am conflicted right now about what we need to do.
What the Nimiipuu needs to do to be one.
62. Chairman: call for question.
o Motion carried.
63. Chairman: thank you Derek for coming in front of the General Council.
Thank you.
o Derek Red Arrow Frank: I respect the decision; I will send the letter
of me recusing myself tonight to both these individuals. Thank you.
§ Letter from Mr. Frank has been posted on the Tribal Portal
website and mailed out to membership.
2:45 pm
SUBCOMMITTEE / BOARD / COMMISSION REPORTS
64. Human Resources Subcommittee – Rachel Edwards, Chairman
o Chairman: I’d like to introduce the Lapwai Youth Leadership Team
for raising $33K on their own with community support by doing baked
food sales, halftime shots at basketball games, and lunches/breakfast
fundraisers. They did all of this on their own. Huge thank you to
Micah Bisbee, she’s doing a wonderful job thank you for what you do
for our kids.
o Rachel Edwards (2:57p): Thank you to everyone who serves on this
subcommittee, liaisons, reporting programs, and employees.
Enrollment is an issue that we do need to address, and we realize how
important this is. There’s also issues about our enrollment cards and
unfortunately, we have an older system that doesn’t allow us to take
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pictures and put them in our system. This is outside the budget. It’s
important to all of us. I’d like you all to review the reports on pages 89 and I can cover any questions and answers about anything outside of
that.
65. NMPH Executive Director – Roberta Bisbee
o Roberta Bisbee (3:00p): Good afternoon, I get excited for GC
because it’s an opportunity to hear and be evaluated of our services
and for an opportunity for improvement. I’m always willing to meet
with a tribal member or patient. Our mission is to provide quality
healthcare and be culturally sensitive in a confidential setting. Our
goal is to offer quality care service that's culturally responsive,
proactive, and exceeds patient expectations. I don't know if anybody's
been through accreditation before at NMPH, but it is definitely scary.
We had two surveyors that came on site, and they meet with patients if
they want to meet with them and discuss maybe a diagnosis, maybe
they wanted to discuss the worst experience possible with us, or maybe
they want to share that they didn't get the care that they felt they
deserved. Our continuity of care is a big issue right now because of our
lack of providers and us having to get contracted with locums is an
issue right now especially here in Kamiah. So, we had accreditation on
April 14th and 15th and that's where the surveyors come in and they
evaluate our program, they evaluate all of our policies and procedures.
They also check compliance with policies, they evaluate and check if
we aren’t doing everything we're supposed to be doing according to
what's in the policy. They even evaluate if we don't have a policy and
where we should have a policy. They meet with patients, they'll watch
and observe the check in process of a patient, if you're providing your
patient rights information, they will check with medical records, they
will check with dental, they will check with all of the areas. There are
214 categories surveyed across 16 areas of patient care and
administration at NMPH. We achieved full compliance in 184
categories of 214 that are fully compliant, so we are not compliant in
some of our areas in our categories. There was a new standard that was
implemented regarding anesthesia. So that one hit about 7 different
compliance areas because we didn't have a full anesthesia policy. I
answered the question thinking we were a hospital, as 50, whereas it
should have been 70 because we have the oral anesthesia. So, that was
an error that came up and we have to correct that by developing their
policy and expand the policy so it's meeting the criteria. So, we did get
hit in the anesthesia section. They also evaluated our behavioral health
charts, care management, and coordination. They looked at all our
credentialing and privileging documents. Dr. Wilson worked really
hard in getting our compliance up with July Woodward. We bring all
of our actions to the HR subcommittee for approval. We have 30 days
to respond to our findings. We have to correct these. We successfully
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completed our Lab survey so congrats to our lab team. Vacancies is an
issue, we brought on two locums, one had an emergency, and the other
is assisting our staff right now with 6 providers. Right now, it’s very
competitive. We hired a dentist and hygienist. But again, it is very
competitive, so we are offering sign on bonuses. Dr. Eichler originally
applied for the Kamiah dentist, but he declined the full-time position
because he couldn’t find a home here in real estate. But he agreed to
fill Kamiah until we get someone here in the area. We have 6
completed applications because it’s been vacant since 2021. We’ve
advertised everywhere we possibly can, and we also reached out to
colleges. We are currently advertising for a mid-level provider and the
medical director position. For 2024, we are still seeing the same
amount of patients for medical visits. Our 3rd party revenue had record
revenue collections. We Have Ailia Wilson here as our patient
advocate, she said if anybody would like to give a patient comment
she’s brought the paperwork here today. The assisted living facility is
not end of life care as I have shared. It’s assisted living, 16 bed. The
items that still need completed are water hook ups with the city and
getting an engineer on site to get this going. Next, our Human
Resources has continued efforts to recruit. We have 50% NP, 41%
non-enrolled, 9% other tribes. For medical, we implement the
comprehensive weight loss program. We had compliance with the
Ozempic, so we brought forward this policy for those committed to
show the success with the program (including BH). I’m proud of our
medical staff, they get a retreat because they shared what’s working in
the clinic, they had good turnout and feedback from the staff, and that
has been the first thing for many. We also had full safety and risk
review. COVID is back around. Don’t go to work sick. National Guard
will be onsite May 12-21. Our Finance department had a
reorganization because our 3rd party revenue within dental, medical,
and pharmacy. I’m happy with this new reorganization for Sergio
Islas, as CFO, with direct contact and supervision. We are getting
better reports and information. Sergio doesn’t allow me any room for
ideas so he’s good at what he does. He compliments me well. FY25
focus is on the assisted living facility support. Proposed budget cuts
are at over 900 million. I am available if anyone has any questions and
thank you.
66. NPTHA Board – Richard Arthur, Chairman
o Richard Arthur (3:54p): Thank you Madam Chair and Secretary
Hayes. Good afternoon everyone. I am Richard Arthur. I’m
completing my 20th year on the board; my term is up this fall and I
hope I get your support. I have a Brief report today. On behalf of
housing, thank you for continued support. It’s an honor to serve. We
acquired the thunderbird property, and it will be demolished until we
acquire grants to fill it. The bottom will be retail shops, and the above
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for rental spaces. We acquired the Adeline court housing site where
the tiny homes are. They will be moved a couple blocks behind main
street. For the little village property, we completed our EIS with a
technical trainer to train staff on environmental studies. We have
supported partnership with Nimiipuu Fund. Jonelle has taken a part in
housing issues that will benefit our reservation. We work with social
services to expand supportive services. We work with the veterans
program and their director. One key success is our move towards
digitizing our records for grants. This is a huge step forward for
transparency and efficiency. Our main budget is 1.5 for the Indian
housing block grant. We collaborated in the financial reality fair ran by
Phyllis George. I’ll introduce our ED, Doug Marconi, he is a NP tribal
member. He previously served as housing for Colville and YN. He
worked in law enforcement and has extensive work in TERO.
67. NPTHA Executive Director – Douglas Marconi
o Douglas Marconi (4:04p): thank you all for selecting me and giving
me an opportunity to come home. It’s a great honor to work with
leadership. We are dealing with a lot of programs. I’m humbled to be
back and working for my own people. We do a housing plan every
year. At the end we make a performance plan to tell us what we did
over the past year. We are 100% tribal staffed. This speaks to the value
of what we do as an organization and as a housing authority.
Everything is in your book. Richard covered the development projects:
koots koots little village will have five fourplexes and they are two
story units. We will move forward and just cleared EIS. Once ratified
by NPTEC, we’ll get funds. If we can get a contractor, although this
will be a risky time because contractors might not be willing to
procure costs because of the rising interests and tariff information.
We’ll do it anyway. Hopefully one day we can build our own account.
Adeline court will have the tiny homes. For thunderbird, we will put a
survey out to see what the assembly likes but we need to be sure the
property is clear of any contamination. We are looking for grants for
demolition. We have a strategic plan for our board, we are not safe,
this is critical information. The federal budgets were released and
proposed cutting tribal funds amounting to $650 million out of the
housing lot grant. We have D.C. working with us right now to make
our way to capitol hill so we are working both sides of the isle to let
both legislative leaderships know how critical budget cuts would be if
not authorized again. We don’t need a target on our back. We have
friends in congress. We also met with region 10. I have discretion. For
example, the healing wellness court. I support this. K-4 grade winners:
Andrea Axtell 1st; jasmine Samaripa 2nd; Ayowen 3rd. 5-8th winners:
Kellen moody 1st; Janice Oatman 2nd; Aleva Wilson 3rd. If placed
regionally, they get taken to the annual conference. PIT Count for
2025, take a look at the document to help us decide what projects we
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are looking for whether its apartments for elders, veterans, etc. Lastly,
we have been meeting with executives of the tribe. We came up with
some ideas and will find ways to get more things done. We have great
opportunities for first time homebuyers. It will be called skilled
workers to explore how we create. Thank you.
68. Senior Citizens Advisory Board – Marilyn Bowen
o Marilyn Bowen (3:25p): We serve as an advisory to NPTEC and
provide services to seniors. Our responsibility is to serve in an
advisory capacity. This board is not a governing body we only work as
advisors. We listen to concerns, address it with liaisons, have meetings
with NPTEC, and present concerns to them. To go through review,
9/10 special meeting at CRC to propose plans for elder of year
presentations- limited contact to family and signatures, (male of year
was the late Jimmy Spencer), at that point he was a patient at Cascadia
in Lewiston, we visited him, and filmed his award presentation. He
shared a lot about his feelings and how he got his Indian name. It was
very emotional to listen to where he came from, so we filmed it and
showed it at the presentation. We also had a presentation at the CRC
for Rosa Yearout. Many of our elders are no longer here and our Tribe
went through a lot of losses. Our senior advisory boards are briefed on
these concerns. We note our concerns to our liaisons which we are
thankful to have Mary jane and Liz Arthur-Attao. In our October
meeting, Shana Padilla did a presentation on Alzheimer’s in Indian
country for a grant to improve screenings and have a health plan.
NMPH will also learn how to identify. We raised our age from 62 to
70 years. Elder of the year forms will be updated (community service,
cultural awareness, mentorship in community). Must be enrolled to
nominate over 55, with enrollment number, with name and signature.
Nominations will be up by mid-May and ballot boxes will be at each
senior site. The board also received concerns and requests from 2
elders in Kamiah and Lapwai about snow piles. The snowplows
plowed our people into their driveways so that was a concern from
several members having to shovel their way out. Several people
expressed appreciation of the plowing as well. The seniors noted that
there are no handrails. We still have the cat problem that we’ve heard
all about. Residents have to chase them away when they try entering
into their residences. November meeting was handed out for NICOLA
conference. 10/3 special meeting for budget modifications where
updates and concerns were given. Our regular meeting is in December,
and we were told employees are being threatened, police reports made,
to learn later the paperwork wasn’t received from police. Had to make
report again. A January meeting on Indian education and department
of wisdom keepers was held. The report was submitted, and we passed
out flyers. An elder who was injured riding appaloosa was reported. In
Our February meeting we discussed policies and procedures where
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people still were concerned with snowplows and their driveways. No
meeting in March because chairman Weaskus was recovering from
surgery, and I was going to report the quarterly report and meeting, but
I had 2 deaths in my family one after the other, so I wasn’t able to plan
for the meetings and didn’t have much time to do that. I personally am
aware of the lack of providers at NMPH. What is triage what does that
mean? We need a better explanation of this. On our April meeting, we
went further on with amendments of the constitution and bylaws for
the seniors and will get them drafted out and present in May. Elders
were concerned about events at CRC who need transportation to the
building when handicap spots are filled. In September, the board will
hold elections. We are looking forward to talking to baby elders, male
and female. Thank you Suzie for her many years for serving as
chairman.
69. Youth Advisory Board – Joyce McFarland
o Joyce McFarland (3:43p): I am Joyce McFarland, and I am honored
to be here. So, to begin this program, we investigated research to see
what a youth advisory board could look like and got approved.
Highlights: 145 youth attend meetings at 6 schools where we listen to
their priorities and what they need and then we gather support for
them; leadership training in March bringing together youth; we will be
starting a book club on yellow wolf (May to June virtually); and we
are developing a strategic plan. We want the youth to have their voice
elevated, speak up, and advocate for them, build up their leadership
and relationship to their culture. This was beautiful for even kids going
to school off the reservation where they could talk about their families
and where they come from. Some issues and concerns were education,
prevention of alcohol and drugs, finance, activities, jobs, values
continuing NP Way of life, respect and being a good role model.
Priorities: Clarkston said treaties are their most important tribal right.
Kooskia wants a presentation by OLC and to have a career fair at CV.
They see great things in Lapwai, but not in Kamiah or Kooskia. That’s
a great input. In Kamiah, they want a cultural component. Working
with language program to offer. In Lapwai, to understand tribal rights,
enrollment, and usual and accustomed area with sovereignty. They
also want a cooking class. In Lewiston, they want a presentation on
alcohol and drugs, and they’ll go on a visit to u of I next week.
Orofino wants to learn how to make fry bread and have a sale. At
cultural camp we talked about sovereignty and related it to freedom.
Some said we need to do a treaty summit, since they belong to us and
so we all want input. There is a survey out on this project. We are
trying to connect our young people, come talk to me if anything
interests you! I am wearing purple today for Xavier Guillory for
making it to the NFL to play with the Baltimore Ravens. Our NP tribal
members are fantastic, that’s big. Our young people struggle and it’s
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hard, every one step forward you get pushed back 10. It’s amazing
what he did, he wears the NP flag with pride. Thank you on behalf of
my sister for all the prayers for him. Thank you.
3:00 pm
Questions/Comments for the Panel
70. Dr. Hailey Wilson (4:26p): To the Senior Advisory Board’s questions- we
are so short-staffed, I really appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding
as we navigate coverage. Triage means you can either come in or call and
there will be a nurse on the other end to try and address your issues that you’re
having that day. They will help you understand if you need a med refill, if you
should be seen immediately (referral provided), or if you can wait. Again,
want to acknowledge the difficulty that it has been for those of us that have
provided care at NMPH.
71. Georganne Morrison (4:29): I’d like to address the senior advisory board
with a suggestion, in electing a new board, I would like if you could include
all tribal 6 participants. I feel they should be informed.
72. Jerrod Rickman (4:30p): 3094, good to see you back home uncle. You’re
hard to get ahold of. Quick questions. If all goes as planned with development
for Lapwai, how long after that do you foresee a development for the Kamiah
area in terms of housing? Second, the senior assisted living center, when will
that be up and running and will it be big enough to address needs of elders and
those who are older?
o Douglas Marconi: what’s important is some folks have filled out
survey information. We need to see what the needs are in the
community, we just don’t know of the needs and then funding set
aside. If we can develop a pattern of working with Nimiipuu Fund
more or scatter sites, that’s really desirable. We have a 184 program
that we want to work with, and banks want us to take a risk. That’s one
way to maximize an opportunity.
o Richard Arthur: Kamiah has 1-2 units available for rent, and 3 units
in river view, and a home we purchased that is getting ready for
possible rent or homeownership. We are looking for permanent
support of housing and traditional housing. That’s what is really
needed which will help accomplish and benefit the scope of work.
o Roberta Bisbee: we have Leslie Smith assisting with application for
the Assisted Living Facility. Policies are drafted, and then we need a
work session with NPTEC for the assisted living facility. The cost of
the senior to be live there is risky because they take their social
security. It’s developed as off reservation which takes a portion of
their social security so that’s a touchy situation with our own people so
that’s a decision higher than me to make and compare the costs. Also
waiting for water hookup. There is no application out yet, but once it
does we will do introductions. At least out 3 months.
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73. Meredith Moffett (4:38p): Roberta, is it possible for Kamiah to get an
exercise class or fitness equipment? Housing, why was my father having to
mow his own grass?
o Roberta Bisbee: touchy topic due to funding to fix up the fitness
center, there’s difference of opinions. The safety part requires
inspection and health of facility. Main issue is the funding and where
to get it from. Our special diabetes grant had to decrease. I don’t feel
it’s safe to open or walk off the stairs. It needs to be re-evaluated.
Again, a higher than me situation but something we can talk about
further and bring back.
o Richard Arthur: apologize up in Kamiah we don’t have a full-time
worker. He moved on. Our staff mowed it the other day and hopefully
they’ll be up here more.
74. Alice Spaulding (4:42p): 2444, I don’t have any issue with NMPH but today
my child had an appointment, went there, and was told we have no nurses to
take your stitch out since they were all here. So, when she got here, the
Kamiah clinic and the nurse came out to help her. But just upset about this,
she had an appointment, and it wasn’t done.
o Roberta Bisbee: duly noted, there should be staff at the work site at
all times so I will follow up with that. I was there so I am confused but
will follow up.
75. Laura Lozon (4:44): worked at clinic in Kamiah for over 20 years, retired 8,
since then I’ve seen many problems in Lapwai and Kamiah as we lose our
providers. I heard the providers who try to apply are told not to because of our
reputation. This isn’t good. We’ve lost good doctors due to how they were
treated. So, I would like to see the NMPH board reinstated so we can have
policies addressed and rules followed. If we have to work to get that rolling
again, I’m more than happy to work with the Resolutions Committee. My
thoughts.
o Rachel Edwards: thank you for concern. I know the dissolvement is a
concern to a lot of members. There has been an action to bring it back.
Not against it but will work with Resolutions Committee.
76. Gloria Greene (4:47p): that was actually my concern that the NMPH Board
needed to be reinstated because there have been a lot of issues coming up that
should be addressed and that’s the only entity of the tribe that doesn’t have a
checks and balances for a lot of different reasons. That is a concern and has
been. This needs to be back in place and bring our NMPH back up to
standards because people are complaining about the service. It’s difficult to
get in. I’ve been trying to make an appointment and leave message after
message without a return call. There are problems still and I think we need to
reinstate the board. Also, if you drive through dumbo flats, that’s a housing
project that is just asking for fire. That is a big fire hazard. Lawns aren’t
mowed, those homes have been paid for, but I think something needs to be
done or we’ll lose a housing project. You can’t even see some of the fences
because of the weeds. Take a run out there and you’ll see.
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o Richard Arthur: that is more of a covenants issue. Once conveyed,
that’s an issue brought up with the tribe after they obtained a lease
over the property. Tribe needs to make that a part of their policy.
o Roberta Bisbee: I will follow up with the appointments. And the
board, I don’t share whether I support or don’t. So, if that’s the
decision is to bring it back, I respect that.
§ Gloria Greene: thank you. A suggestion is to designate the day
labor for them to help clean up those homes. Clear the
entrances of the cemeteries. We clean 7 and I don’t have access
to the roads.
77. Jonelle Yearout (4:56p): 3186, this is a sensitive topic for me. Detox
treatment: when someone is ready to go in, we need to be ready and there for
them. I had to pick up a family member in Spokane, when I called they said
they have to come to Lapwai. The timing of that is hard for someone in detox.
I commend the NMPH staff for keeping those motivated to fill out the work.
But there’s no treatment program to keep them willing to go into detox,
medication, etc., because of the response time and the transportation regarding
when they can get in. This is a short window of time, when they cry for help,
we need to be there. Addiction is a process so I appreciate the help, but if
NMPH can provide that medication in between this would help. I’m eager to
see the assisted living center come to fruition. Make sure our departments can
connect when elder abuse is happening. In the nimiipuu fund annual report, do
the scan for data. Please look.
o Roberta Bisbee: thank you, for your detox medication comment, I
would like to ask Dr. Wilson to provide the explanation of a policy we
are creating for the suboxone. We haven’t had it at NMPH, it will be
new, but there will be a policy for it and how we will implement it.
And elder abuse is something we document and are mandatory
reporters.
o Dr. Wilson: I appreciate how difficult these situations are. Many
family members suffer with addiction. I was disheartened that we
weren’t already offering suboxone. There aren’t restrictions on
suboxone. I was disheartened it wasn’t covered by PRC. Detox is
tricky because it can be fatal or deadly depending on what they’re
detoxing from so as a provider, I would feel better providing
medication that can bridge them into treatment. I don’t know about
other providers. Communication is a barrier and we had zero policy on
this. But if that’s a barrier, it’s something we can look at, and training
our providers. Suboxone is for opioid users. We have it in our
pharmacy. As of two days ago I was the only one providing this. But
with Sellner back, she can prescribe. The relapse rate is 90%. We
aren’t saving lives for the long-term. I appreciate your comments and
we are working to bridge this barrier.
78. Vonda Bybee (5:05p): I used to be the community health director, so I’d like
to applaud Joyce to see what she has done. I have issues with NMPH because
I am a 4-stage cancer patient. I have housing issues as well. Housing: renting
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as a high risk elder, it cost me money to go to my treatment, I had to stay up in
CDA 27 days straight, I get behind on bills. There isn’t policy that addresses
hardship with rental payments. Rent doubled without consideration. No
contact. We got threatening letters, and comments. There is no understanding.
It has turned into a predatory program for people. If you get behind it gets
worse.
o Douglas Marconi: I will make an effort to come visit. There isn’t a lot
of policy for hardship cases, and we can always modify and amend. I
will see you very soon.
79. Daryl Wheeler (5:12p): two brief concerns with NMPH, it concerns me
when I’m there for an appointment and I’m sitting in the exam room waiting,
and I can hear them talking to the patients in full detail what they’re talking
about in regard to their condition. I don’t know if there’s a way to make the
walls soundproof. I know there’s a sign but a lot of the times it always been
talked about but there needs to be professional and courteous sensitivity.
Regarding the fitness center in Kamiah, it was quite a few years that I was
able to go there and workout 4-5 days a week. During those times, I got my
blood sugar down without the use of insulin. I just want to add to the comment
that day labor can go over now and clean up and move out things at the fitness
center.
o Roberta Bisbee: so, day labor is a good idea. We got the agreement
with them, but then once we got it worked out, day labor became
unavailable. Regarding the walls, I will definitely talk with facility
managers about soundproof and being mindful of their courteous and
confidential communications.
80. Shirley Allman: make a motion to accept and excuse and recess for the day.
o Chairman: hear from Lucinda George and then we will recess.
81. Lucinda George (5:18p): housing, I have worries about sundown heights and
the location because my great grandson doesn’t need to walk home and get hit
with a car. I’ve seen women coming down the hill with baby carriages. We
put kids up there. If there ball goes over the hill it goes all the way down to
agency.
o Richard Arthur: under advisement
82. Chairman: (5:20p): entertain Shirley Allman’s motion to excuse the panel,
accept the report, and recess for the day.
o Second by Meredith Moffett
o Motion carried.
4:15 pm
Recess for the day
83. Closing prayer – Mary Jane Miles, Chaplain, NPTEC (5:22p).
SATURDAY, MAY 03, 2025 - NPTEC GENERAL ELECTION VOTING
POLLING STATIONS:
OPEN AT 7:00 A.M.
CLOSE AT 3:00 P.M
NEZ PERCE TRIBE SPRING GENERAL COUNCIL 2025
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Agenda: Saturday, May 3, 2025
8:00 a.m.
Registration open
8:45 am
Call meeting to Order
84. (9:12a) Begin our day with a prayer.
85. Opening prayer – Mary Jane Miles, Chaplain, NPTEC
86. Announcements
o Chairman: reads aloud agenda at 9:16a
§ GENERAL ELECTION POLLING STATIONS
§ OPEN AT 7:00 A.M.
§ CLOSE AT 3:00 P.M.
9:00 am
Subcommittee / Board / Commission Reports
87. Budget & Finance Subcommittee – Ashton Picard, Chairman
o Ashton Picard (9:17a): good morning, thank you everyone for being
here. All 9 NPTEC members sit on the budget and finance
subcommittee which is held every first and third Wednesday. This
Subcommittee oversees tribal financial planning, investment strategies,
and funding decisions to support essential services, education,
infrastructure, and long-term economic stability. The NPT remains
deeply committed to the success of our tribal students. In recognition
of the rising cost of higher education, the tribal scholarship and higher
education scholarship award amounts were increased for the 20242025 academic year. We are honored to support our future leaders and
ensure that financial barriers do not stand in the way of their academic
and person growth. Since the fall, the subcommittee has also worked
closely with multiple departments and boards including NMPH,
Enterprises, Executive Direction, Finance, Technology, and
Transportation. The subcommittee reviewed and approved 24
donations and sponsorships totaling $35,000. I want to conclude by
saying it was a learning experience working on this subcommittee. A
lot of different things come forward, requests and decisions to be made
on the expenditure of different budgets for the tribe. It was an honor to
serve as the chair and I look forward to any capacity that I serve
moving forward. I want to applaud the decisions we made for our
youth and collegiate individuals.
88. Government Executive Director (Interim) – Danae Wilson
o Danae Wilson (9:24a): the ED report is in the report booklet, so I
won’t go over the accomplishments that are all in this book. I’ve heard
several times now that departments and programs submit the same
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information over and over. This isn’t true. The departments and
programs work hard to submit material. Some managers send in a
booklet of their own and we have to condense them down. One thing I
mention is all managers do quarterly reports, bi-annual reports, and
reporting to their compliance agencies. So, I want to make sure
everyone is aware that they are sent to the executive office and if you
want more data we are happy to share the data with you. Reports are
readily available, and we have a significant amount of data that we are
happy to share. Some things to talk about, keeping up with this
administration, in my first 30 days, it has been meeting after meeting
after meeting. I met with all executives so we could have one on ones.
We talked about what we are collaborating on and what things we can
do better. If there’s an issue to solve together, let’s work together. All
executives have been helpful and willing to work together. I am trying
hard to meet one on one with the executives as much as possible. We
took an action for traditional housing placed by the Methodist church
in the yard side, but we want to get our population that needs that
housing off the highway for safety concerns and right now, at the
jungle along the highway is extremely dangerous. So, we have
identified 2 locations one that is in the works on bever grade behind
the public smokers and another at the bottom of bever grade across the
street from the current law enforcement office. We haven’t vetted the
lower location as much as the higher. We had an opportunity to meet
with finance and Janet, the deputy ED, to talk about the budgeting
process which we will hear about. We had a significant amount of
debriefs (ongoing ED, programs, and what are the department and
programs working on). So, I’ve had several managers come in and
update me on what they are working on. There are a lot of advisories
and groups that the ED sits on (land acquisition- majority have a
purpose to benefit the tribe like consolidation, agriculture, future
development, it isn’t any one person it's an entire group that NPTEC
sits on about 20-25 people who make those recommendations; SRBA
implementation team- this is broken into sections because a lot of
people are involved on these meetings, including both finance and
NPTEC; construction management- I take ownership of the handout, if
you want to see the full packet email me and I will send it out, it is
substantial and the status and amount is significant, including Aaron
miles for cultural studies that have to be done on those projects so
those updates are substantial; holding company- disciplinary with
several executives on it; Nimiipuu energy- has a lot of different rules
and regulations that they’re developing, we have vacant positions
looking to fill, information will be produced from the holding
company; finance has done outstanding on the audit of programs and
departments). Strategic plan, there’s a misconception. Everyone is
diligent about it; the dates were unrealistic because its worked on a
concerted effort and pace and none of them included where the funds
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are coming from. So, some aren’t funded or assigned to a department,
so we have to work together. There are meetings that occur. Janet
updated the SharePoint site to match what the working group has
already made progress on so there are significant strides in what’s
happening with the strategic plan. The site was reorganized, included
cyber security plan for the NPT, which requires a significant amount
of data which is massive. It not only is the government data, but the
tribes so how can we protect and maintain our data sovereignty.
Beyond that, for every subcommittee meeting, a change or any action
coming out of Executive session will specifically say what pillar it’s
addressing. We see this as a progress report and making progress on a
regular basis. This may create longer actions, but we want to make
sure what pillar it addresses. The construction update, I forgot to
answer that Chantelle Souther has been hired and she will be helping
organize all of the data and making sure the data is readily available.
One other thing, our most recent application for funding for the
Lapwai governance center through IRT which is a DOD military
training opportunity and will start this summer in coordination with the
National Guard. they’ll come in and do all the dirt work for
construction projects which is the largest expense. They’ll do the
bridge work that we need done. That will be a significant cost savings
with the tribe. This would be fully funded. To wrap up, I want to talk
about budgeting process. You’ll hear more from our finance manager.
You’ll hear we have financial issues to overcome. The federal
government entered into a sequestration. We can budget our way out
of those as we did before. In our contingency planning we will be
doing that same thing. In indirect, the tribe perceives the determined
formula. This is split into three: approved indirect rate; lump sum
negotiation; there’s a simplified method. This means that NPT has to
consider some things we haven’t done in the past which is specific cost
pools. Indirect needs to be thought of in those terms: what is the
funding pool and who is paying into it. It’s not a dollar-to-dollar
recovery. So, I think it’s important that we think about indirect as a
recovery and where a program doesn’t pay it or reduce, they get the
same amount of services that the grant pays out and receives. We
aren’t calculating that which will appear as a deficit, but they should
be budgeted for and documented. We need to do sequestration and
calculate the savings. So, if you look at the website, they don’t say
how much sequestration paid off date. So, we need to make sure we
calculate all expenses and apply them.
89. Government Finance Manager – Elizabeth Bohnee
o Elizabeth Bohnee (9:46a): welcome. I have a presentation and
handout which will go over closer to what our gaming allocation
budget is.
§ Motion to go into executive session at (9:47a) Robert Kipp
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Shirley Allman second
Motion carried at 9:48a
Jackie McArthur and Janet can remain in executive
session.
90. Boys & Girls Club - Isaac Sisto, Executive Director
91. Boys & Girls Club Board –
o (11:36a) Dallon Wheeler makes motion to come out of executive
session.
o Second Elroy Moffet
o Motion carried.
11:40 am
Questions/Comments for the Panel
92. Elliot Moffett (11:37a): I have a resolution regarding a budget. This is a
reflection of priorities. I looked at the budget with $187K for this fiscal year.
And I kept thinking about that because we have an organizational chart. It
shows GC is on top. So, what does that mean? It means that in our instance
that NPTEC can override everything that we’ve done in GC. For some reason
they have put NPTEC over GC. That concerns me because we don’t have
checks and balances or separation of powers. They select budgets and they
can eliminate boards like the NMPH Board. We need an interim NMPH
Board. We don’t have this in place. *Reads Resolution* “Now, therefore it be
resolved that the General Council does hereby reestablish the Nimiipuu Health
Board by the election of five (5) General Council members, in good standing,
to organize the Health Board Utilizing all available resources, including past
policies and procedures.”
o Chairman (11:41a): Motion has been made to adopt resolution as
read by Mr. Moffett.
§ Second Vonda Bybee
o Chairman: clarification, we would elect at this GC an interim NMPH
board until Fall GC? And reporting would be to GC?
§ Elliot Moffet: yes
o Chairman: motion is to adopt the resolution. Do we have any
discussion?
§ Sergio Islas: 3706, question is, NMPH presented yesterday so
what does this resolution have to do with the budget?
Elliot Moffett: this is about our budget and finance
committee. That’s what we said. That budgets reflect
priorities and if we aren’t interested in making health a
priority. But if we want to make our healthcare a
priority then we better be working on it. Where are we
on our vaccinations? There’s no public health. The
reason for this is we have a budget, and budget and
finance are responsible. So, it’s within the constitution.
Chairman: this resolution is out of order due to house
rules #4. This would’ve been in order under the HR
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subcommittee. This doesn’t preclude you from
presenting the same resolution to subcommittee.
However, House Rule #4 reads “Motions and
Resolutions shall be presented at a time related to the
topic on the agenda.”
o Elliot Moffett: I challenge the ruling of the
chair and we should put that before the GC.
Chairman: thank you Mr. Moffett. The motion is
whether the chair’s decision in determining that this
motion is not in order at this time was correct?
o Robert Kipp: I guess for clarification; we voted
on the house rules already. Why are we voting
again?
Chairman: a member is challenging the decision of the
chair. Which was that the resolution was out of order.
so, we are going to vote on the challenge. So, either you
agree or don’t agree that the resolution was out of
order. Yes= agree that resolution presented by Mr.
Moffett was out of order; No= disagree that the
resolution presented by Mr. Moffett was out of order.
o Hand vote required.
§ Yes= 54
§ No= 35
§ Total= 89
§ Decision stands that the motion to adopt
this resolution is out of order at this
time. Again, this does not preclude the
resolution and it can be brought to
NPTEC.
93. Alexis Walker (12:01p): I have a resolution for this committee, and it will be
pulled up with a QR code. It’s for SRBA which closes on 5/7. With current
policy, we need an accounting of the SRBA expenditures. We aren’t getting
any community initiatives that we are spending now. Requirement of 90 days
to go through this policy. Requesting the GC vote on this to require holding
these meetings.
o Allen Slickpoo: resolution is out of order. It takes a referendum to
take a NPTEC action.
§ Alexis Walker: Madam Chair, if I can, I would like to
withdraw my Resolution and bring it to NPTEC instead.
o Chairman: Ms. walker will present it to the NPTEC table. If we are
done with this panel, I’d like to entertain a motion to accept the report
and excuse panel.
§ Motion made by Shirley Allman.
§ Second by Natahnee Spencer.
Motion carried. (12:10p).
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12:00 pm
Lunch Break
94. Back from lunch at 1:23p
95. Chairman: I’d like to congratulate the Lapwai girls golf team. We have 3
girls that are district champs and will be going to state. I will now turn it over
to Mr. Nikoli Greene
1:15 pm
SUBCOMMITTEE / BOARD / COMMISSION REPORTS
96. Budget & Finance Subcommittee – Ashton Picard, Chairman
97. Enterprise Executive Officer – Nikoli Greene)
o Nikoli Greene (1:24p): Before we get started, we’d like to thank
Mary Jane Miles for her years of service at NPTEC and her work on
this panel. Sometimes we didn’t always agree but we appreciate your
experience and how honest and respectful you’ve been. Now onto
leadership: one new hire in our sales management, and Fawn Domebo
for Nez Perce express team. Vision: is to create exceptional
experiences with hospitality. Our mission is to be the economic
indicator that sustains growth and stability for our communities. Our
strategic plan has pillars for recruitment and for learning team
effectiveness in strategy, business practices, customer growth, market
share, and then financial performance. A few suggestions is that
people on the game floor have to have customer service. We can do
training and classes but a lot of the time its personality and the
foundation that allows us to thrive. We have to identify a standard.
This allows us to expand and develop new business and financial
performance. We've talked over the years about finding the people for
the right job and it's really personality too for what we do for
hospitality and having an outgoing personality on the floor. After
hearing from complaints in the comments or suggestions, it’s
important to connect people on the gaming floor to have great
customer service as outgoing. We can retrain it and we can do classes
with a lot of the time. This is the foundation of our organization and
having a strong base allows the enterprise to thrive. For process
strategy, this is what we have to be great at identifying and developing
standards and metrics while holding our organization accountable. For
customer growth, this allows our business to expand while developing
new business and understanding our customer expectations. For
financial performance, this is a result of our ability to execute these
other pillars. So, we currently have 281 employees. We're focused on
creating a positive culture within the enterprise we want to be the
employer of choice. We have 15 employees with 25 plus years of
service, 25 employees with 20 plus years, and 69 employees with 10
plus years. Overall, we have 39% of our employees who have been
with enterprise for 10 plus years and will continue to be a focus. Next
is gaming data: from 3,000 jackpots with our highest being $77,000.
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We have 1700 new club members and 5300 active players. The Red
Wolf golf club: 2017 appraisal done with a 1.5 million value; in 2018,
the tribe entered negotiations; in 2019, the Tribe purchased the golf
course for $650K; in 2020, we all had the pandemic experience which
impacted us for two golf seasons when we had restrictions on people
being on the course. One person per cart and groups could only have
3-4 people. It impacted the tribe overall. In 2021, Washington passed
minimum wage to go up every year based on inflation compared to 50
cents every year. Additionally in 2021, we had a kitchen remodel and
maintenance equipment purchased for 500K. We had to invest in
$500K back within first 5 years. In 2022, it was our first full year of
normal operation and at that time, we started gaming studies for fee to
trust process. In 2023, we completed the feasibility study and EIS,
which was later accepted by the BIA in 2024. After hearing concerns
at GC, we restructured our team over there and eliminated some
positions and here we are moving forward with management. Recap:
over $1.5 million dollars in the appraisal, we acquired the course for
$650K, we had a minimum of $500K for reinvestment within the first
5 years, and so in total, we’re a little over $1.1 million. If we keep the
golf course and approve operations, it’s heavily zoned, so the other
option is a park. However, it wasn’t an in-depth site. Instead, we
reached out to CRC to see what it would be to have a third-party
company operate the site. So, we approved a 5-year contract with
CourseCo., which was founded in 1989 from CA. With that, five
years, CourseCo. is the only employee. The team that’s down there
will become employees with CourseCo. We own the place, but they
will provide recommendations and run the golf course. The net will be
over 1million (390K) loss, with year 5 at 1.5 million (82K loss), but
41K profit before year 5. Working with CourseCo., they operate
Bryden canyon. And then they were part of the team who operates
WSU golf course. If we were to hire a superintendent at the golf
course, we would be paying them $95K. With CourseCo., we get an
entire team with experience and expertise to manage golf courses to
private and non-private. We get access to the entire team. The end goal
for Red Wolf is to have a casino and operate gaming that we are
unable to do in ID. We can’t do sports betting or tables in ID, so that’s
our goal at Red Wolf. Part of the analysis is a cash flow of projections
if we did their route (150 machines, tables, sports betting, etc.). Year 1
3.5 million and year 5, 3.7 million. I know it’s difficult right now, we
have tried to find solutions. We have this management company where
we can address the losses. I’m confident in this. WA has a compact
with the ability to lease gaming machines which we could also
generate income from. Moving on, Zims hot springs is moving
forward with RV expansion. RVs on the right and tiny homes on the
left with the swimming pool and main building. On the left, we have
tiny homes and are working with Ann McCormack. The RV Park is
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breaking ground this summer. There’s only hot water, so when we met
with the engineers they thought they could drill. However, because of
highwater table they cant. So, we had to pay a specialist to identify the
water source and an area where we could get cold water. So, we are
getting closer and have identified a space. But the specialist was
spendy. Business operations: targeted industry (successful within our
region- manufacturing, individual business models, returning to
traditional homelands, developing larger sites, enterprise, geographical
area, enterprise site). Projects: hotel expansion, Nimiipuu farms, NP
express expansion and adding diesel, RW fee to trust application we
have to provide concept drawings to have an accurate EIS. Last GC I
announced we hired Cory Roof for green house operations near the
gaming commission office (leafy greens, lettuce, and mushrooms).
This has to be established for at least 3-4 years to be identified as a
true farm. We purchased the diagonal straight building in Clarkston,
WA. The goal is between 12-16 months for fee to trust application.
This location, once we achieve trust status, we can operate any
business in WA. So, we want to find a business where we have an
advantage over the businesses in the area, that way the tribe can have
additional revenues. CRC expansion: we want to become the #1
entertainment for the LCV, right now it’s only adults, we want to add
additional hotels rooms, meeting space, and family amenities (spa,
bowling, cultural exhibit and arcade and food court and a floor
expansion/distillery). This is what we want to work towards. Now we
plan how to get there. What do we need to accomplish to be sure our
teams have an advantage? Upcoming concerts. Restaurant specials.
Thank you.
98. Enterprise Finance Manager – Thomas Rickman III
o (1:59p) move into executive session.
§ Motion Robert Kipp
§ Second Trish Goodheart
§ Mr. Green requests his staff remain.
§ Motion carried.
99. Enterprise Board – Keith Kipp, Chairman
o Yielded presentation time to Nikoli Greene.
100. Nimiipuu Community Development Fund – Executive Director, Jonelle
Yearout
2:30 pm
Questions/Comments for the Panel
101.
(2:49p) move out of executive session by Jon Mathews
o Second by Trish Goodheart
102. Jon Mathews (2:50p): I’d like to present a resolution. Thank you for the
information on the golf course losses. I support golf I think it’s great. I think
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it’s best to transition to a casino there and take the 800K loss set aside, 100K
for golf, and move forward like that. That would include kids from all three
communities. The golf course is an environmental hazard from what’s
dumped in it affecting the river and groundwater. NOAA talks about this in
the Snake River and the quality of water degrading affecting our fish. We
have to walk the walk if we are going to talk. CRITFC would be appalled. It’s
a loser and will continue to lose. The ED said it will lose and so did NPTEC.
Let’s transition to something else. This isn’t right for our people. But thank
you. I want transparency and accountability. This affects our government
services all of these losses. *Reads Resolution*. Motion to adopt this
resolution. We need something to stop the losses at the enterprises. The other
thing is that it acquires the updating of the GRAP and it’s on the second page
of the second paragraph and NPTEC is directed to update the graph and take
necessary steps to update it by 8/25. I think it’s solid and stops NPTEC from
being able to spend or add money to economic development because 15% is
netted.
o Second by Kerma Greene
o Chairman: questions or comments?
§ Kerma Greene: I agree with Jon because this is something
I’ve been saying for the last how many years. We are always
losing money and yet we continue to do the same thing over
and over. Why would we do that. Then we look at our sister
tribes and that used to be us and now it’s not. That’s pretty sad.
So, I’m for this motion if we aren’t making money then we
need to shut it down and find something else instead of keeping
investing in things that don’t make us money and that’s what
our enterprises are supposed to do and they’re not.
Thomas Rickman: Clarification, the GRAP is only
applied to 2 casinos so nongaming losses from other
enterprises do not impact the GRAP at all. These are
two separate audits so they wouldn’t be impacted by a
nongaming entity.
§ Carla Timentwa: I oppose this motion with all due respect
because I listened to a really good report by the enterprise
officer. I believe that the venture with red wolf is headed in the
right direction with good study and efforts where it will be
positive and profitable. I remember in 96 when Dave Penney
was on gaming commission he was looking at getting a
steamboat so we could gamble in WA because he understood
there’s more money to be made so I think what the people are
aiming towards is getting to a more profitable place. I believe
in investing in land. We heard how important our culture is and
it’s all tied back to our land. We need to build our young
people up who are building a future. Yes there is a risk every
day, but I see these young people are bringing something
positive for us. We had non-Indians lead us down where we
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103.
104.
lost money now we have our own and support. Not opposed to
the individual but we all have a vision. So, I support the
direction and am in opposition to the motion.
Chairman: any other comments?
o NPTEC Chairman Wheeler: opposition to this resolution today
because I believe the enterprise is continuing to do their homework
and improve the status of the economic viability of red wolf and
opportunities to the future. Also, the negative numbers are an issue but
also a report card for these gentlemen to make the improvement and
changes as seen in their report. I also realize that the intrinsic values of
this property are more than just a number. This resolution isn’t the full
report and number tied to the language and our spirit. That is who we
are and recognizing our land. I appreciate the understanding that
there’s something greater in play here than just the number. Our
former attorney Doug Nash said our treaty is the greatest, and over the
last 50 years the purchase of the golf club was the greatest decision not
because of the money but because of the value that it will bring for
future generations. Securing this for our future is most important and
that’s what they see and that’s why I’m in opposition. I know this team
will make this work.
o Gloria Greene: thank you, I hate to keep harping on this, but I know
the enterprises are trying to make money but right now we have
purchased a lot of other parts on the rez that are sitting idle. We have
an RV park in Orofino that has been dead for years. We purchased the
mill in Kamiah and its sitting idle. We have land out of Orofino where
they were going to build a hotel that is sitting idle. We have Orofino
store that is sitting there from 2016 and now it’s a parking lot. We are
losing hundreds of thousands. We spent a lot of money on that and its
sitting idle. If we are going to use it for a parking lot we don’t even
gain what we spent. So, we have a lot of property out there doing
nothing for us. Before we consider spending money on building nice
things I think we should utilize what we purchased in the past and
show that we can make money on those properties. They’re just sitting
idle there and there’s no reason for it. So, I have to support this
resolution and I hope we can move forward with properties in the past
before we spend money right now we need to consider the budgets and
what the president is doing. Spending our funds when it’s a chance is a
maybe and isn’t guaranteed.
o Roberta Bisbee (3:10p): I’m against the resolution because I was on
council when we adopted the GRAP, and I appreciate Ms. Walker’s
proposal on evaluating the GRAP to get the full story of the GRAP
and how it’s been spent and providing the report to tribal membership.
There are other revenue sources losing money not just the golf course.
I’m against this and so there is so much into it. Of course I want
accountability, but this isn’t addressing what needs to change.
Chairman: comments? Ok Mr. Mathews you have 2 minutes to close.
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o Jon Mathews: The resolution is redoing the GRAP and making
parameters of how much we can spend on economic development. We
have millions of that income where 15% goes to economic
development. Which NPTEC and enterprise received. So, what this
does is getting the 15% ourselves. This limits it to 15%, and $1.5
million in losses that are netted instead of getting $1.5 they get $400K
that way there is an incentive to stop the losses. Right now, there isn’t
any. We need internal control and a parameter to stop the losses.
Nothing against golf. We just need to stop the losses. We have to redo
the GRAP how we want it. It was done in 2011 that’s 14 years ago we
have to redo it.
105. Chairman: recognize the call for question. Motion to adopt resolution as
presented by Mr. Mathews. All those in favor say Ay. All those opposed say
No.
o Motion failed.
106. Chairman: Any more comments or discussion or I will entertain the
motion to excuse the panel?
o Marilyn Bowen: 1705, I go to the casino and this morning there was
confusion at the counter and people were ordering their meal and I was
waiting and apparently there was a discount to elders and the clerk
knew nothing about it. So, she was confused and didn’t know how to
do the discount. So, the manager came out on the floor, and he said
yeah that’s right but didn’t show her how to do it, so he refunded the
tribal member and then I did my order. She was getting flustered and
trying to find my discount and she was taking a long time and a line
formed I told her forget it. Well then I felt bad because of confusion
and a tribal member asked for manager to show employees how to do
it. I guess it’s an electronic issue. So, anyway I walked out, and
manager was sitting on the tv so that’s concerns going on at casino that
all managers need to be aware of.
§ Dan Kane: I apologize for that. I’m not aware but marketing
director said they did give 50% off coupons I don’t know what
happened, but I’ll look into it.
o Stella Samaripa: who is Zim? Why are we having Zims as Zim and
can we change this to a different one to where it’s our language and
it’s our place. Then with Zims, when its closed, how long will that
take? Jonelle, will we see a bank in the future if that’s a possibility I
saw it in the survey and that would be amazing I know it’s possible.
§ Nikoli Greene: Stella we talked about rebranding, and we
went with the logo designed by Silan Moses, for RV we have
more Nez Perce names, and those discussions are on the table
as we move forward. I’m not sure who Zim is. RV shouldn’t
take so long and won’t have closure for the pool itself. As we
get further into planning, that is still in discussion, but won’t be
closure.
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§
Jonelle Yearout: we have planned for 2026 to look at assisting
the tribe for a depository institution. We have partners
interested when I cold call. Potentially with our business
incubator but we are happy to do a feasibility study. It’s on our
radar.
Stella Samaripa: I think we should still change Zims.
It’s not ours it’s just a name. other people ask who is
Zim. You want tourist. Not a traditional name. How are
we engaging with our people at Zims? I don’t hear
enough about it so it would be awesome to get our kids
down there. So just little recommendation.
o Kay Seven: enterprise question, did I see that nimiipuu energy is not
under enterprise? Is it still in development? They aren’t even running.
I want insight on what the current and future picture looks like for
nimiipuu energy.
Nikoli Greene: right now, it is not under enterprise the
logo is just there. It’s still under the NPT and holding
company and the enterprise is just assisting with
finance and accounting. Specifically generated
revenues, but right now it’s all grants and managed by
the tribe.
o Mary Jane Oatman: thank you, I want to apologize to the GC and
you guys on enterprise I hosted an amazing event at our golf course
and when I planned it, I didn’t think to put it during general council. I
wanted to report out that it is a big move. This is a 7 generations move.
Whatever land back that we are working on. Buying the land and
knowing we have it is a big thing for our people. They can be bio
friendly that we could turn around from an environmental hazard into
a world class. I say that because we can lead into global leaders
because people are already contacting about plant medicine. We have
golfers travel in, leech lake, prairie island, wind river, and I would say
50 guest were first time to homeland, including dogg face, going viral
for being on our homelands. I apologize but a special thank you Dr.
Hartwig who came and listened to heal through trauma through plant
medicine. So, thank you for enterprises for being great hospitality. We
did have to get moved. Thank you!
Nikoli Greene: Thank you Mary Jane I appreciate you
holding your event and sounded like it was a great
turnout. It gets overlooked with the people we can bring
in to our community. Thank you for holding your event
and look forward to the next.
o Chairman: any questions or comments.
§ Allen Slickpoo: few comments, CRC powwow has enough
judges and MCs and floor managers to have our own tribal
members rather than hire people from elsewhere. I’d like to see
the head staff be all tribal members since we are the host.
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Second comment is if the enterprise would consider having a
powwow up in Kamiah because in 95 is where gaming first
started this is our aboriginal homelands. Is it feasible named
itsyeye just like CRC. This is where our people originated and
where our gaming first began.
Nikoli Greene: thank you I will share with powwow
committee, and I don’t know but we are trying to get
people to attend based on head staff, but we have had
discussions. As far as a Kamiah powwow, I haven’t
been a part of these discussions. I’ll be taking your
ideas into consideration.
o Chairman (3:37p): I’d like to entertain Danae Wilson’s motion to
accept report and excuse panel.
§ Second by Annie McCormack.
§ motion carried.
o Chairman: With that, I’d like to thank the assembly we are ahead of
schedule. We will wait for the ballots (3:38p).
3:45 pm
Dinner Break
The NPT Election Ordinance, Section 6-10-15(a) provides that “the tallying of
ballots shall commence upon arrival at the General Council meeting.”
5:00 p.m.
ELECTION JUDGES – GENERAL ELECTION VOTE TALLY
107.
7:30 p.m.
Begin at 5:05pm
o Seat 1 (Total=713; Invalid=6)
§ Jesse Leighton 358
§ Elizabeth Arthur-Attao 349
§ Congratulations Jesse Leighton
o Seat 2 (Total=712; Invalid=3)
§ Shannon Wheeler 379
§ Alexis Walker 330
§ Congratulations Shannon Wheeler
o Seat 3 (Total= 712; Invalid=6)
§ Quintin Ellenwood 281
§ Aaron Gould 425
§ Congratulations Aaron Gould
o Election Judge notated that when counting seat 3, there were two (2)
ballots from seat 1 (one for Jesse Leighton and one for Elizabeth
Arthur-Attao). Correction was made at 7:15pm from 357à 358 for
Leighton and 348 à 349 for Arthur-Attao.
Adjourn May 2025 Spring General Council meeting.
108.
Entertain a motion to adjourn the NPT GC Spring May 2025
NEZ PERCE TRIBE SPRING GENERAL COUNCIL 2025
Page 57 of 59
109.
110.
111.
o Motion Liz Arthur-Attao
o Second Dallon Wheeler
o Motion carried.
o Adjourned at 7:39p.
Benediction - NPTEC Chaplain
Retire the Colors – Drum
Swearing in at 7:51pm
o NPTEC Reorganization at 7:55pm.
o Aaron Gould nominates Mr. Wheeler as Chairman.
§ Mr. Wheeler accepts.
§ Mr. Picard makes a motion to cease, and Mr. Wheeler becomes
Chairman by acclimation.
Second Mr. Paisano
Motion carried.
o Mr. Chairman call meeting to order at 7:57pm.
On behalf of the Nez Perce Tribe Council,
qe’ciyew’yew’, safe travels and Happy Mother’s Day.
______________________________
Winter Hayes, Secretary
____________________________________
Jennifer Oatman, Chair
SAVE THE DATE
Fall General Council Meeting
September 25, 26, & 27, 2025
Wa-a’yas Community Center
Kamiah, Idaho
NEZ PERCE TRIBE SPRING GENERAL COUNCIL 2025
Page 58 of 59
NEZ PERCE TRIBE
SPRING GENERAL COUNCIL
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49
50
Allen II, Clendon
Allen III, William
Allen, Sheldon
Allman, Shirley
Amerman, Carolyn
Arthur-Attao, Elizabeth
Arthur, Jennifer
Arthur, Priscilla
Arthur, Lauren
Arthur, Ralph
Arthur, Richard
Arthur, Santia
Arthur, William
Attao, Catherine
Attao, Joseph
Aubertin, Nikesa
Axtell, Brenda
Axtell, Dora
Axtell, Etta
Baheza, Marie
Bailey, Marcella
Baptiste, Alexis
Baptiste, Brooklyn
Baptiste, Lance
Barros, Michael
Bear, Anita
Bear, David
Bear, Michael
Berry, Melissa
Bisbee Jr., Michael
Bisbee, Micah
Bisbee, Pauline
Blackeagle, Janet
Blackeagle, Mildred
Blackeagle, Philip
Blackeagle, Trae
Bohanan, Joanne
Bohnee, Carmalita
Bohnee, Christopher
Bohnee, Gabriel
Bourgeau Jr., Kenneth
Bourgeau, Theodore
Bowen, Marilyn
Brisbois, Samuel
Brocheau, Anthony
Broncheau, Arthur
Broncheau, Casey
Brown, Hattie
Bulltail Jr, Robert
Bulltail, Margarita
REGISTRATION LIST
Total registered - 348
Burke, Lalonni
52 Burke, Liz
53 Burke, Marilee
54 Capetillo, Anthony
55 Carter-Goodheart, Patricia
56 Carter, Gwendolyn
57 Coomer, Alexis
58 Coomer, Jaiden
59 Coomer, Mikhila
60 Cuevas-Jimenez, Natalia
61 Curry Sr., Jesse
62 Davis, Nikki
63 Domebo, Alexio
64 Domebo, Carla
65 Downey, Antoinette
66 Draper, Gary
67 Eagle Shadow, Jarvis
68 Edwards, Rachel
69 Ellenwood Jr., Raymond
70 Ellenwood Sr., Clarence
71 Ellenwood, Althea
72 Ellenwood, Chantal
73 Ellenwood, Charlotte
74 Ellenwood, Diana
75 Ellenwood, Kiyana
76 Ellenwood, Lorenzo
77 Ellenwood, Quintin
78 Eneas, Pamela
79 Eneas-Bryant, Kimberly
80 Enick, Wilma
81 Estrada, Deanna
82 Everett, Deborah
83 Fisher, Barbara
84 Freouf, Shanelle
85 Frank, Derek
86 Garcia, Orlando
87 Garcia, Tonia
88 George, Phyllis
89 Glideman, Jessica
90 Goodheart, Dayne
91 Gould, Aaron
92 Gould, Gayla
93 Gould, Lauren
94 Greene, Aqua
95 Greene, Chantel
96 Greene, Gary
97 Greene, Gloria
98 Greene, July
99 Greene, Kerma
100 Greene, Marquel
51
Page 1 of 3
MAY 1 -3, 2025
Kamiah
101 Greene, Nikoli
102 Greene, Scherri
103 Greene, Solara
104 Greene, Solo P.
105 Greene, Stacia
106 Harris, Loraine
107 Harrison, Vina
108 Hayes, Winter
109 Heavy Runner, Patricia
110 Henry, Jena
111 Henry, Joshua
112 Higheagle, Chanel
113 Higheagle, Delores
114 Higheagle, Dominic
115 Higheagle, Eva
116 Higheagle, Nicole
117 Holt, Alyssa
118 Holt, Erik
119 Hovinghoff, Janel
120 Hyde, Trianna
121 Islas, Loretta
122 Islas, Loretta (daughter)
123 Islas, Sandra
124 Islas, Sergio
125 Jackson, Leah
126 Jackson, Shannon
127 Johnnie Jr., Raphael
128 Johnson, Anthony
129 Johnson, Cheryl
130 Johnson, Gloria
131 Johnson, Mary
132 Johnson, Verna
133 Johnson, Vicki
134 Jose-Bisbee, Roberta
135 Joye-Wells, Sallie
136 Kane, Daniel
137 Kash Kash, Eric
138 Kash Kash, Stacey
139 Kessler, Raphael
140 King, Melissa
141 Kipp Sr., Keith
142 Kipp, Jesse
143 Kipp, Del Rae
144 Kipp, Jessie
145 Kipp, Kenneth
146 Kipp, Robert
147 Konen, Victoria
148 La Prairie, Cheree
149 Lawrence, Bruce
150 Lawrence, Mary
NEZ PERCE TRIBE
SPRING GENERAL COUNCIL
151 Lawyer, Bret
152 Lawyer, Byron
153 Le Cornu, Yvonne
154 Lehman, Rebecca
155 Leighton, Jesse
156 Lopez, Amanda
157 Lopez, Carter
158 Lozon, Laura
159 Lussoro, Christie
160 Major, Raymond
161 Marconi Sr., Douglas
162 Matthews II, Julian
163 Matthews, Jonathan
164 McAllaster, Nancy
165 McAtty, April
166 McAtty, Cecilia
167 McAtty, Jane
168 McConville, Delbert
169 McCormack, Ann
170 McFarland, Joyce
171 Miles Sr., Aaron
172 Miles, Mary Jane
173 Miller, Betty
174 Mitchell Jr., Leland
175 Mitchell, Sylvia
176 Moffett, Elliott
177 Moffett, Elroy
178 Moffett, Meredith
179 Moffett, Michaeli
180 Moffett, Sara
181 Moffett, Scott
182 Moffett, Sharon
183 Moffett, Von
184 Moliga, Soa'Ali'l
185 Moliga, Taricia
186 Moliga, Tuiaana
187 Montelongo, Cara
188 Montelongo, Junaluska
189 Moody, Jeanette
190 Morrison, Georganne
191 Moses, Candace
192 Moses, Sapsis
193 Nahsonhoya, Christine
194 Nahsonhoya, Sally
195 Nahsonhoya, Timothy
196 Oatman Tom, Danice
197 Oatman, Ashley
198 Oatman, Jay
199 Oatman, Jennifer
200 Oatman, Judy
REGISTRATION LIST
Total registered - 348
201 Oatman, Lois
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207
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209
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245
246
247
248
249
250
MAY 1 -3, 2025
Kamiah
251 Seubert, Vivian
Oatman, Martha
Oatman, Maurita
Oatman, Melissa
Oatman, Ryan
Oatman, Stephanie
Osburn, Vonda
Oyenque, Jalessa
Pablo, Sonya
Paddlety IV, James
Paddlety, Phara
Paisano III, Ferris
Paul, Dennis
Paul, GIa
Paul, Warren
Payne, Joseph
Penney, David
Penney, Loretta
Penney, Mildred
Penney, Phyllis
Penney, Samantha
Penney, Samuel
Perez, O'Shae
Picard, Antoinette
Picard, Ashton
Picard, Bill
Picard, Lori
Pierre, Roxanne
Powaukee, Alene
Rab
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