Vol. XLI • No. 21 • October 9, 2009 Ignacio, Colorado • 81137-0737 Bulk Rate - U.S. Postage Permit No. 1 Inside Southern Ute Indian Tribe To Manage Ignacio Health Clinic The Drum Voices 2 Tribal Update 3 Four Corners 4 Health 5 Education 6 Sports 7 Notices 8 Classifieds 9 PowWow 10 photo Jeremy Wade Shockley/SU DRUM A historic document was signed on Wednesday, September 30, 2009. Chairman Matthew J. Box signed the P.L.93-638 to take over the clinic with R.C. Begay from Indian Health Service, who works as a contract facilitator from the Albuquerque Area IHS Office. This process has been four Farewell To Medical Staff and a half years in the making and took effect on Thursday morning following the 638 signing. Media Release der such services more respon- Chairman, Matthew J. Box. Southern Ute Indian Tribe sive to the needs and desires of “Unfortunately, it has taken us those communities.” The IHS longer to get here than we had declined the Tribe’s initial pro- hoped but we are excited that we On October 1, 2009, the posal, which led to protracted lit- can now move forward with our Southern Ute Indian Tribe igation. Recently, the Tribe and plans for providing quality health assumed management and over- the IHS agreed to a contract care to our members and other sight of the Southern Ute Health under the ISDA that allowed the Indians in the community.” Center in Ignacio, which has been Tribe to begin management of Chairman Box noted that health operated by the federal Indian the Southern Ute Health Center care was a top priority for the Health Service (IHS) and provides while still allowing for the reso- Southern Ute Indian Tribal health care to Southern Ute tribal lution of the issues that led to the Council and taking over manage- members and other local Indians. litigation. ment of the Health Center was an The Tribe had initially pro- “The Tribe has been looking important accomplishment for posed such a transfer to IHS as forward to this date for a long meeting that priority. “Although early as in 2005 under the Indian time and many tribal leaders, the changes may not be immedi- Self-Determination Act, or including previous Chairmen, ately seen,” Box said, “the Tribe’s ISDA, a federal law that seeks to members of prior Tribal management of the Health Center “assur[e] maximum... participa- Councils, and numerous tribal will ultimately mean we can be tion [by Indian tribes] in the members committed to improv- more responsive to the health direction of... Federal services to ing our healthcare have brought care needs of our members rather Indian communities so as to ren- us to this point,” said the Tribe’s than relying on the IHS.” Southern Ute Tribal Council Holds Informative General Meeting by Amy Barry also given on the Minor’s Trust the first 18 homes for home repair Southern Ute Drum with the Tribe remaining invested under the new department. Also, in stock exposure for the best long the Construction Services Division term opportunity for the minors. will be under the newly developed On Friday, September 25, Additional information on tribal Tribal Housing Department as 2009, the Southern Ute Tribal investments involving the Growth well. Work on the first 18 homes Council held a general meeting at Fund will be acknowledged dur- will begin on October 12, 2009. Of the Sky Ute Casino Resort. ing the Growth Fund’s General the 293 fully inspected units, 140 Topics of discussion included the Meeting taking place on October units are participants who are at the Permanent Fund Financial 9, 2009 at the Sky Ute Casino age of 55 or older, with the remain- Report, the Tribal Housing Resort Events Center. A lunch der of 153 units being under the Department, the Southern Ute was provided by the Sky Ute age of 55. The eligibility of the Indian Montessori Academy, the Casino Resort. home repair guidelines were also Brunot Agreement Update, status An update of the new Tribal reviewed. The breakdown of cost of the Indian Health Service and Housing Department was given by was also discussed during this time of course a question and com- Mel Baker and Hilda Burch. Mr. as well. Elders and the ment session. Baker went over the goals and disabled/handicapped will be cov- The general meeting began with objectives of the department which ered by the Tribe at 100%, with the the invocation given by Eddie included: prevention of further remaining tribal members who are Box Jr. and a welcome from each home deterioration, efficient hous- under the age of 55, having to do a tribal council member in atten- ing, providing maximum impact cost share with the Tribe at a 60 photos Jeremy Wade Shockley/SU DRUM dance. The meeting kicked off with the inclusion of other tribal (Tribe)/40 (Tribal member) split A heartfelt farewell ceremony was held in the Hall of Warriors as Tribal Council gave with the Permanent Fund’s departments, homeowner educa- ratio. The key factor in fixing the thanks to Dr. Matthew Clark and Pharmacist Commander Jeanette Harrell for their years Financial Report given by Chief tion and preventative maintenance tribal homes is for the Tribal of service at the Ignacio Health Clinic with the Southern Ute Tribe. Chairman Matthew Financial Officer, Mr. Brian Zink. and to provide home owners with Housing Department to develop a Box wrapped both staff members in Pendleton blankets and expressed the appreciation Although stocks appear to still be emergency contact phone num- qualified contractor’s pool to do that the Tribal Membership has for their dedication over the years. Chairman Box and in the Bear market period, the bers. The Tribal Housing is cur- major work including foundations, Vice Chairman Jim Newton Jr. (top photo) honor Dr. Clark with kind words. Council signs of recovery are slowly rently staffed with a director, proj- electrical work, plumbing, septic, Members Steve Herrera, Barbara Scott-Rarick and Ramona Eagle also expressed state- showing signs of positive change ect administrator and an adminis- roof repair and/or mechanical ments of gratitude. Council Lady Marge Borst (above photo) explains the symbolism since March of 2009. A brief trative assistant. The department is work. By utilizing qualified con- behind the design and artwork of the Pendleton blanket to Commander Harrell. overview of the Tribe’s endow- currently located on the vacated tractors and manpower, the Tribe ment was also given during the Pavilion parking lot in a modular financial update. An update was unit. Tribal Council has approved General Meeting page 5 October 9, 2009 Voices Waini (2) SU Tribal Elders Workshop ExpressExpress YourYour OpinionsOpinions The Tribal ed investors would suffer. The right? We want the truth. Membership’s Dilemma Permanent Fund’s loss is similar The Tribal Council seems to be The Tribal membership is con- to the loss of the broader market like a herd of deer in the head cerned now more than ever about such as the S&P 500 and Dow lights. They are frozen and are clearly understanding our finan- Jones stock and bond market not able to take any action. What cial situation. We care greatly indices. I thought we paid is causing this? Why isn’t the about the future of our people Wilshire Associates a large sum Tribal Council addressing these and deserve appropriate attention to manage a significant portion simple questions on our behalf? to this serious issue. The cata- of our portfolio to prevent such Why are we not getting the truth strophic down-turn of 2008 and an occurrence. Is it possible that from Tribal Council? This is lingering underperformance of Wilshire is conflicted and is not what they are elected to do. They the US economy is a logical providing good investment should demand the truth. cause for heightened concern. advice? It seems that we would The only answer is transparen- However, the nature of the Tribal do better by just investing in cy. If there were nothing to hide, membership’s concern is not stock and bond market indices then there would be no hesitation economic in nature. The major without having to pay the large to give us the truth. Tribal Council concern of the Tribal member- advisory fees? What is the truth? should not accept the argument ship is that we do not feel that we A senior financial manager at that financial information is pri- are getting the truth. the Growth Fund was fired with- vate and cannot be shared with the You might ask what causes us out much of an explanation. It membership. This only leads to to believe that we are not getting would seem that the performance more suspicion. In fact, each of the truth. The evidence has been records of that individual would the concerns listed above can be photos Sherrie Howell/TIS Dept. building for some time and only be reviewed before such a seri- answered specifically without dis- those who are close to the opera- ous decision is made. There closing sensitive financial infor- Southern Ute Tribal Elders, at the Southern Ute Tribal Elders Workshop (l-r), Mary Inez Cloud, tions understand what I am say- should be a cause and effect rela- mation. This is what true leader- Phoebe Kent, and in the background are Molly Cotton, Rod Grove and Roland Weaver. ing. Our tribal members that tionship to facts and actions such ship is about. They must be able Lynda D’Wolfe work at the Growth Fund and the as firing. Is it possible that this to provide clear and concise Special to the Drum Permanent Fund know exactly person was fired because they answers, while protecting the sen- what I am talking about.