2004 Little Shell Election 2004

Little Shell Citizen PETITION

To Convene Little Shell Arbitration Panel of Elders to investigate and rule upon 2004 Tribal Council Election board infidelities.

To the Currently seated Little Shell Tribal Council (LSTC):

REQUESTED ACTION: We, the below signed Little Shell enrolled tribal members, are requesting that the LSTC convene an Arbitration panel of Elders as detailed in the election procedures to settle the below listed election protest and voting irregularities. We request this panel to sit as an official Sovereign Tribal Court to investigate and make binding rules for the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana. We request that this panel be formed in accordance with our Tribal Constitution, United States Constitution and the guidelines outlined in DOI/BIA Code of Federal Regulations Title 25. This panel is needed since the actions and the bias of the election board have been called into question as part of the official election protests and they thereby cannot rule on these issues as a neutral body:

1) To investigate and rule upon complaints and issues brought up in formal protest by candidate for Vice President, Darryl Olson.

2) To investigate and rule upon published Election Regulation and Tribal Constitution violations by the Election board in allowing an ineligible candidate to run for and sit upon the council as detailed in Darryl Olson’s official election protest.

3) To investigate and rule upon changes to the election rules and regulations by the Election board after the start of the Election without notification to Tribal members in accordance of Department of Interior (Bureau of Indian affairs) guidelines and our Tribal Constitution.

4) To investigate and rule upon alleged illegal action by election board by their alleged inappropriate extension of ballot deadline for only 63 absentee ballots and exclusive ballot extension for Spokane Washington area members only.

5) To investigate and rule upon Violation of Tribal nepotism Policy by planning to seat two immediate family members on the Tribal Council without doing appropriate research of publicly noted tribal policy and past practices.

6) To investigate and rule upon the Alleged Civil Rights violations by the Election Committee Chairman and the Webmaster of the Little Shell Tribe Official Website (http://www.littleshelltribe.us) against a candidate for Tribal Council Office, namely Darryl Olson, by preventing Mr. Olson from posting his official complaint upon the message board provided by the Tribal Council to Tribal Members, and also their violation of Mr. Olson’s 1^st amendment rights to free speech and redress of complaints guaranteed to him by the Tribal Constitution and the United States Constitution and making such action without the authorization of the Tribal Council.

7) To Investigate and rule upon the Alleged Civil Rights Violations by the Election Committee Chairman and the Webmaster of the Little Shell Tribe Official Website (http://www.littleshelltribe.us) against a candidate for Tribal Council Office, namely Darryl Olson, by making written threats against this candidate for office if he attempted to protest any action against the election.

8) To make a binding decision on whether or not the actions by the Election Committee and others merit a full reelection in accordance with our Tribal Constitution, US Constitution, and Federal law.

9) To make a binding decision, while sitting as a tribal court, that individual members of the tribe involved in this election are to be legally tried and convicted before the tribal court for their actions in the election in accordance with our Tribal Constitution, US Constitution, and Federal law.

10) To investigate and rule upon violation of Tribal Members civil rights guaranteed in the Little Shell Tribal Constitution and United States Constitution by the following:

a. Failure of the Election board to conduct the Tribal Election in accordance with our Tribal Constitution, United States Constitution, and guidelines set out by the Secretary of the Interior rules as outlined in Code of Federal Regulations Title 25, Chapter 1, Part 81 as directed to by our Tribal Constitution and Federal Law.

b. Alleged violation of the Civil Rights of ALL Little Shell Tribal members by the Election board by failing to properly notify Tribal members of the Election itself. Instead of using the Tribal Rolls to notify members of the Election and register all eligible Adult members by direct mailing in accordance with DOI/BIA Election Guidelines, the Board instead relied upon newsletter subscription list, an obscure Internet bulletin board, and “Word of Mouth” to disseminate Official Election information. The Election board did so in violation with DOI/BIA Guidelines as directed to by our Tribal Constitution and Federal Law.

c. Alleged violation of the Civil Rights of ALL Little Shell Tribal members by the Election board by failing to follow it’s own Election Rules and Regulations and changing those rules in the course of conducting the election and after the election has been held. Failing to notify Tribal Members by Direct mailing of these changes in accordance with DOI/BIA Guidelines as directed to by our Tribal Constitution and Federal Law.

d. Alleged violation of the Civil Rights of Little Shell Tribal Members in the Spokane area by failing to ensure the Election Polling place was open to eligible voters in accordance with DOI/BIA Guidelines as directed to by our Tribal Constitution, US Constitution, and Federal Law.

e. Alleged violation of the Civil Rights of Little Shell Tribal Members who requested absentee ballots by either not returning the requested voting ballot to the Tribal Member or sending requested ballots out 12 days after official deadline as stated in the Election Rules.

f. Other violations and illegal actions the Arbitration Board may find in the course of its investigation.

By signing below, we, the enrolled tribal members are asking the tribal leadership to address these issues in a tribal forum. We ask the leadership to convene the Arbitration Panel of Elders to investigate and rule upon the irregularities as noted above and to make the rulings of the panel binding upon the leadership and the members of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana. We also ask that the Panel do so in a thorough and professional manner consistent with the sovereignty of our people and tribe.

SEND SIGNED ORIGINAL PETITIONS TO:

Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana

Attn: Tribal Council

P.O. Box 1384

1807 3^rd Street NW #35

Great Falls, MT 59403

Or FAX Petition to: (406) 452-2982

You are authorized to make copies of this Petition to send to Fellow Enrolled Tribal Members, If you mail Petition to Tribal Council, Please make a copy to keep in your personal records in the event the original get’s “Lost”.

(HTML) Little Shell Petition for Individual Signatures (Web Version)

(PDF) Little Shell Petition for Individual Signatures (Adobe Acrobat Version)

(DOC) Little Shell Petition for Individual Signatures (Microsoft Office Version)

(HTML) Little Shell Petition for Group Signatures (Web Version)

(PDF) Little Shell Petition for Group Signatures (Adobe Acrobat Version)

(DOC) Little Shell Petition for Group Signatures (Microsoft Office Version)

Latest News about 2004 Little Shell Tribal Election

January 24, 2005

Sitting Council Members express Concerns about election prior to Certification Vote
By LittleShellTribe.com Webmaster:

Several Council Members expressed concerns prior to the Certification of the 2004 Council Elections. Some of the questions brought forward are alleged violation of the Tribal Laws by the action of the Election Committee by placing a constitutional Amendment upon the ballot without authorization of a majority of the Council or a majority of the Enrolled Tribal members in accordance with our Tribal Constitution (Article IV, Section 1 and Article VI, Section 1). Other concerns are questions about the Late Absentee Ballots, and their inability to be returned in time to be counted, Nepotism charges, candidate for Office of Tribal President transporting unsecured Election Ballots. Copies of two of these council member statements are located on the Election 2004 Petition Page.

January 9, 2005

'Landless Indians' elect new council members; potluck planned

By SONJA LEE Great Falls Tribune Staff Writer :

Members of the Little Shell Tribe have elected new council members, who will be sworn in next weekend.

Chairman John Sinclair of Havre retained his position, defeating challenger Councilman Robert Van Gunten.

James Parker Shield of Great Falls will be the new first vice chair, based on the results of the early-December election, said Darrel Koke, outgoing first vice chair for the tribe. Shield defeated Darryl Olson.

Councilman Edward Lavenger of Havre was unopposed for second vice chair, she said.

Jessie Fuzesy of Havre defeated incumbent Caroline Fleury for secretary/treasurer, and Alvina Allen of Harlem and incumbent Kenneth Erickson of Havre both were elected to council seats.

Three council seats were open, Koke said. Fleury of Great Falls agreed to fill the third council position.

The council met Saturday and approved the results, Koke said.

Balloting took place in several cities, including Great Falls, Havre and Billings. Absentee ballots from across the state and Washington also were tallied. Koke said official vote tallies will be available Saturday.

A potluck is planned for noon Saturday at the tribal office in the Westgate Mall, 1807 3rd St. N.W. The swearing-in will follow, and the public is welcome to attend, Koke said. For more information, call the tribal office at 452-2829.

Known as Montana's "landless Indians" because their tribe lacks a reservation homeland, the Little Shell won recognition from the state in the 1990s. The tribe won preliminary federal recognition in May 2000. About 4,000 people are enrolled in the tribe.

In 2001 and 2002, the Little Shell were embroiled in an election controversy that led to a carefully supervised new election in 2003.

Jan 9, 2005 Great Falls Tribune Article

January 7, 2005

Little Shell Tribal Council have Called Special Council meeting for Saturday, Jan8, 2004

By Webmaster of LittleShellTribe.com:

Council Member Robert Van Gunten has called to let Tribal Members know that a special session of the Full Little Shell Tribal Council has been called to review the Election Results and decide whether or not to Certify the Election held December 11, 2004 or to Call for a new Election. Mr. Van Gunten informs us that the meeting will be held at the main office in Great Falls and the Decision of the Council should be known by 1pm Mountain time.

No word on whether or not Tribal Member concerns as noted in the Tribal Member Citizen Petition will be addressed at that time or at a later date.

Developing....

January 7, 2005

Little Shell Tribal Members begin Petition Drive to convene Panel of Elders to Investigate and rule upon 2004 Election Infedilities

By Webmaster of LittleShellTribe.com Website:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LITTLE SHELL TRIBAL MEMBERS BEGIN CITIZEN PETITION DRIVE TO INVESTIGATE TRIBAL ELECTION INFEDILITIES

________________________________________________________________________

Members of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana have begun a Petition drive to convene a Panel of Elders to sit as a Tribal Court to Investigate and Rule upon alleged infidelities that occurred in the latest Tribal Council Election. A Treaty Tribe organized under a Federal Statute and recognized by the State of Montana, the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana is currently petitioning the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian affairs, and the US Congress for Federal Recognition. The Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians currently has approximately 4000 enrolled tribal members who reside mostly in Montana but are living all over the United States and other foreign countries. The following are some of the issues the Tribal Citizens are requesting:

• Violations of Tribal Constitution by the Election Board in allowing an ineligible candidate to run for and sit upon the council.

• Failing to use the Tribal Rolls to Notify and Register Eligible Tribal members of the Election. The Election Board instead relied on “Word of Mouth” and an obscure Internet message board to notify members.

• Changes to the election rules and regulations by the Election Board after the start of the election without notification to the tribal members in accordance with Tribal Constitution, US Constitution, and federal law.

• Violation of equal protection rights of tribal members by inappropriate extension of ballot deadline for only 63 absentee ballots for Spokane Washington area members only.

• Violation of Tribal Nepotism Policy by planning to seat two immediate family members on the Tribal Council.

• Violation of Tribal Constitution, US Constitution, and Federal Law by the Election Board by failing to Notify All Eligible members of the Tribe of the Election and Failing to Register Eligible Tribal Members in accordance with Federal Law and BIA Guidelines.

• Civil Rights Violations by the Election Board Chairman and the Webmaster of the Official Tribal Council Website against a Candidate for Office by making written threats and alleged blackmail if that member protested the actions of the Election Board and the election.

• Calls for an invalidation of the 2004 Election and a New Election are called if it is found that the Election Board violated the Tribal Constitution, US Constitution, and Federal Law in conducting the Election.

• Calls for the Panel to sit as a tribal court to try and convict the members found to violate the Civil and Constitutional Rights of Tribal Members during the course of the election.

• To investigate and rule on any violations of the Tribal Constitution, US Constitution, and Federal Law found during the course of the Investigation by the Panel of Elders.

For Full List of complaints and a copy of the Petition along with supporting documentation and evidence, go to http://election2004.littleshelltribe.com

Contact:
Bob Rudeseal
Webmaster unofficial tribal member website
Email:Webmaster@LittleShellTribe.com
Tel: 303-756-4497
Web: http://www.LittleShellTribe.com

Little Shell2004 Election question

The Little Shell Tribe held it's Election for Tribal Council Executive positions for 2004. There were several Problems that included delays in sending out Absentee Ballots and problems with non-opening of polling place in Washington State.

If you would like to add a comment and/or participate in this online Poll,
Click Here.
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NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION:
The Little Shell Tribe Newsletter is FREE to all Enrolled Tribal Members. It is published 12 months a year and is supported by particle funding by the Little Shell Tobacco Abuse Prevention Program. To place your name on the list for the newsletter, Click Here to get the Address/phone number to request your name and address be placed on the newsletter subscription list. The Contact is Toni Jo Atchison, Tobacco Abuse Prevention Specialist

Toni Jo Atchison, Little Shell Tobacco Abuse Prevention Specialist Announces Tribal Newsletter is FREE to Tribal Members

By the LittleShellTribe.com Webmaster:

Toni Jo Atchison, Little Shell Tribal Tobacco Abuse Prevention Specialist has announced that the Tribal newsletter is FREE to all Enrolled Tribal Members. Previously, a subscription of $10 was required for the newsletter and was published quartely. The subscription cost covered monies that funded the creation, mailing of the newsletter, along with helping with office expenses. Now, with funding provided in part under a contract with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program, and the Little Shell Tobacco Abuse Prevention Program, the Newsletter will be published 12 months a year. To place your name on the List for the newsletter (if you do not currently receive it), contact Toni Jo at the main office or write a letter requesting your name to be placed on it. Tribal and Non-Tribal members are still welcome and are encourgaged to send donations to the Office to help with tribal expenses.

To view the Little Shell Tribal Tobacco Prevention Program, Click Here

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REQUEST FOR DONATIONS FOR OPERATION FUNDS TO
KEEP OUR OFFICES OPEN

In order for the tribal government to operate and represent the members of the Little Shell Tribe through the Federal Recoginition process and enrollment, there is an immediate need for operating funds for office rent, clerical supplies, mailing, telephone services, and copier payments. Any size donation will help our tribe keep the doors open. Many thanks to the people who have contributed to the LST

Webmaster Note: This website and domain is not paid for by any funds sent to the LST. I pay for this out of my own pocket and have donated it's pages to the cause of the Little Shell Tribal members.

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This Website and Domain is owned and operated by Little Shell Tribal members, It is not operated or controlled by the Government of the Little Shell Tribe. All Rights Reserved. This website is updated and operated by me, Robert Dean Rudeseal. I am an enrolled member of the Little Shell Tribe of Montana and a direct descendant of Pierre Berger and Judith Wilkie who brought the Little Shell Tribe permanently to Montana.

All items on this website are posted in accordance to the Fair Use Laws of the United States of America. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works

2004 Little Shell Tribal Election 2004

Other Documentation about 2004 Little Shell Tribal Election