Wotanin wowapi 1988-08-04

              Wolf Point Traditional Pow-wow
WOLF POINT � The Traditional Wadopana will start off this weekend with camping day on Thursday, Aug. 4, and the powwow starting on Friday, Aug. 5, through the 7, and will be located east of Sherman Motor Inn, and south of W.P.C.O. Casino in Wolf Point.
Since the Wadopana is a traditional pow-wow, no contests will take place.
The first ten tipis will be paid. There will be naming ceremonies, memorial feasts and giveaways during the traditional dow-wow, games and races for children with age groups divided. Younger children, the games will be foot-races, tug-a-war, watermelon eating contest and sack-races.
Rations will be given to the campers daily.
Wadopana is the name of an Assiniboine clan, the Canoe
Paddlers.
Here are the Wolf Point Powwow Committee members of this ^,an s .Pow-wow: FlaeBearer-Willard Miller, President-Ivan Roberts, Vice-President-Henry DuBoise, Lodge Keeper-Mr. & Mrs. Paul St. Germaine, Announcer-Larry Wetsit, Ceremonial An-nouncer-Max White,
Drumkeeper-Lonnie Steele Sr., Treasurer-Bobby Doney! Secretary-Mina Yellowrobe, Host Drum-Young Red Bottom Singers, Whipper-Ed Saddler and Lee Snell, Head Man dancer-Ted Bell, Head Woman dancer-Mary Ann Grandchamp, -daughter of Willis and Lee Packineau.
Remember the dates of the Wolf Point Traditional Pow-wow, with camping day on August 4 and the pow-wow starts on the 5-7. If you would like further information on the pow-wow you can contact Mina YellowRobe at (406) 653-1365.
Happy firefighters leave home to earn money � Of the 34 crews sent out to fires from the Fort Peck Reservation, a total of $386,338 has been brought back to northeastern Montana. �More photos and stories on page 3.�
Wowapi week* 40c
Serving the Fort Peck Reservation"
VOL 19 HO. 30
AUGUST 4, 1988
WPCO � community development in the works
WOLF POINT-There are three things Indian people do, Wolf Point community chairman Bill Whitehead has always felt, and that's play bingo, drink and die. The WPCO has cashed in one one -- the WPCO Casino has realized close to $2 million in the year that it's been in operation.
Built with $1,117,900 from a
�uarenteed BIA loan as an in-ustrial building site, WPCO finally took steps and made the WPCO Casino a reality.
The doors to the 450 seat casino initially opened on July 4, 1987, with their Grand Opening on July 31, August 1 and 2, coinciding with the traditional Wadopana Celebration. They had a grand opening crowd of 388 playing for a 1987 Ford Escort. The casino paid out $65,805 that first month,' and the Wolf Point Indian community's venture into economic, development under community control was on its way. Thirty-two community people were put to work at that time.
Today, 38 community members are employed, with a monthly payroll of $12,600. The Casino has-paid out a total of $1,018,480 in prizes, including nine new vehicles, a trip to Las Vegas, a pop-up camper trailer, a bayliner boat, appliances including t.v.s, a freezer with a half beef, microwave, barbeque grill, lawn furniture, washer and dryer, a t.v. with a VCR unit and a shopping spree at the IGA in Wolf Point.
WPCO Casino is having their First Anniversary Special this weekend, again coinciding with the Wadopana Celebration, featuring $10,500 in cash prizes and a trip to Hawaii for two and $500 cash.
In keeping with the community spirit, WPCO wants to do what they can for Wadopana, as a
traditional celebration, to be a success. WPCO purchased rations and the celebration posters.
"We should all recognize Wadopana as representing the people of Wolf Point and it is the only traditional event we really have," stated WPCO board of directors chairman George Redstone. "The board of directors and community is doing all possible to support the celebration."
WPCO is moving beyond big bucks bingo with the recent purchase of 30 acres of commercial property located 4 miles west of Wolf Point, along U.S. Highway 2.
"We are becoming a land based organization., and thats never been dealt with before," said Whitehead, a political subdivision of the Tribes purchasing land which will be left in .fee statoS at this time. The land vwl be used for future economic development purposes, stated Redstone.
WPCO is also forming a cons -truction company to bid on upcoming projects to put more community people to work, according to Whitehead.
Forming a construction company is also part of community development going on in Wolf Point. WPCO is doing a house to house survey to analyze their labor force to use in their economic development i planning. From the survey, Redstone said they want to develop a talent bank on the needs and employment capabilities we have.
It makes sense to develop an industry based on your community's expertise, he said. You'd be surprised by the variety of expertise we have here. We have a lot of people with expertise in the construction area, we are working to provide em-
ployment in that area, he said.
The survey, being done by mainly one person, was scheduled to be completed in July, and now it is a matter of compiling data into a useable plan for economic and social related development, Whitehead said.
While doing the survey, Iris Anderson has been registering the people for voting in the local, state and general elections. Tribal members not registered for tribal elections will be noted to be registered at a later time, he said.
Redstone said they are trying to make an impact in the elections, and the only way to do this is through voter registration. He said they will be contacting other community chairpeople in the near future for a coordinated effort for a "wholesale voter registration" and voter education in all communities.
Another development by WPCO is a taxi service, with the primary purpose of serving the people, Redstone said.
This idea came from a community meeting, said Whitehead. The people expressed an interest in having one available not only to serve the Indian people, but the community as a whole, he said.
Two cars were purchased for the taxi service, with one used as a backup. One driver has been hired to primarily operate in the Wolf Point area, but they can transport to other places, said Redstone. Payment by cash in advance, senior citizens get a discount.
In honoring a community elder, the late Agnes Wetsit, WPCO plans to honor her memory this weekend. She was always at the community meetings, always said the opening prayer, and was always a supporter politcally of
mar*
Highway Work Employs Indians
POPLAR � Last week during 100 degree weather, Century Paving Company, from Lewistown, Mt., continued to do construction vyork on highway #2 between Poplar and Brockton.
When traveling on highway #2, you had to wait at least 5 or 10 minutes for a pilot truck to escort you 13 miles to the end of the construction.
According to Mike Syverson, Century has thirty employees, which includes truck-drivers, labors and operators; twenty-five of the employees are Native Americans.
Century Paving Company is keeping their employees busy 24 hours a day to regulate traffic. Vehicles are escorted by pilot trucks to control the speed and safety of the drivers; excessive speed causes chips to the highway.
people wanting a ligitimate change, said Whitehead.
WPCO is really a philosophy of community organization working, feels Whitehead, and what they are doing is really unique and is not happening anywhere else among the Indian people on reservations.
"I feel WPCO is a model of real community development, never before has this been done. We are now thinking about forming an employee credit union. It's turning into a workers cooperative and its great to be a part of," stated Whitehead, who was elected chairman on July 18.
Everything we are doing has evolved from the community, there was no outside organization brought in, said Whitehead, and one of the great things about that is there is no outside funding agency determining our priorities.
And one of the most important things about all this is that since we are doing this on our own, we are accountable to the community in terms of not only finances, but also their needs, he said.
"It's been a really great year," said Whitehead, "this is the kind of grassroots involvement needed."
Redstone encouraged everyone to participate and attend their community meetings. It's fast approaching that communities are becoming another source of economic development, he said, and unless everyone is participating, the community will never know their concerns. If people don't go, then they should forever hold their peace, he said.
Councilman has DUI charges
Tribal Executive Board member Merle Lucas, Wolf Point, is scheduled for a jury trial on Aug. 17 in Yellowstone County Court, Billings, on a DUI charge, according to a Yellowstone County clerk of court.
According to a Yellowstone County clerk of court, Lucas was cited on a DUI charge on Sunday, June 12 in Billings and posted a $1050 surety bond. A pre-trial hearing will be held next Tuesday, Aug. 9 to decide whether there will be a trial, the clerk stated in a telephone interview.
Lucas was also cited in Billings with failure to have a drivers license.
Lucas stated this is his third DUI citation in the past 5 years and his drivers license was suspended for a year.
The DUI charge is a misdemeanor charge, according to Lucas.
He stated he has already entered a not guilty plea and requested a trial by jury.
Apparently because of Lucas' involvement in initiating the first steps in removal proceedings against councilman Levi Olson for his part in the controversial Ft. Peck International Pow Wow, Lucas said he's been informed Olson is attempting to compile and bring out information against him.
"It's very unfortunate that councilman Levi Olson has launched a vigorous campaign against me to discredit my performance as an elected official," stated Lucas.
"This incident is very unfortunate and I would like the general public to know I was not on official business, no property damage was involved and only the courts can resolve councilman Olson's concerns."
Wesley Long Hair
Fort Kipp youth accidental shooting victim
FT. KIPP � On the evening of July 30, 1988, Wesley Long Hair, age 12, was accidently shot with a .22 caliber rifle and was transported to the Culbertson Hospital. Long Hair was pronounced dead on arrival.
This incident occurred southeast of the Fort Kipp Community. The investigation shows that there were several youths coming back from swimming and one of the youth was handing the weapon to the other youth, and the weapon accidentally discharged.
This incident was investigated by B.I.A. Law Enforcement Services, Roosevelt County Sheriff's Department and the F.B.I.
Poplar man dies in rollover
POPLAR-A 36-year old Poplar man .Edward Jones, was an early morning fatality in a one vehicle accident west of Poplar in the early morning hours of Aug. 3, according to the BIA Law Enforcement.
BIA police officer Greg Brugh and Roosevelt County Sheriffs officer Dennis Buckles were on routine patrol at the 4-mile square
area west of Poplar when they discovered the vehicle.
According to BIA acting special officer Timmy Smith, the victim was apparently thrown from the vehicle and the vehicle rolled on top of him. Jones was the only person involved in the accident, according to the BIA.
The vehicle was a 1975 Ford LTD.
ASTI complaints being compiled
POPLAR � The tribal chairman's office is still accepting written complaints and concerns about A&S Tribal Industries from the production workers, and will be until a meeting is set up between the Tribal Executive Board, the ASTI board and production workers, according to the chairman's assistant.
Chairman Ray White Tail Feather will not be at the regular council meeting on Monday, Aug. 8 due to the death of his mother-in-law in Oklahoma, reported Garrett Big Leggins, however, when he comes back he will call a meeting to inform the council that he would like a meeting set up at ASTI. Monday's meeting will be recessed at the. chairman's call.
According to the chairman's office, there nave been 12 written complaints filed since the hearing.
Over four hours of testimoney was compiled by the chairman at a meeting with ASTI production workers on July 23. The chairman assured the workers he will look into their concerns.
There are a total of 394 ASTI employees as of July 18, with 350 production workers, includin secretaries, 34 supervisors and T managers.
Of the 10 managers, 5 are non-tribal members, and of the 34 supervisors, 23 are non-tribal members. There are 152 non-tribal members working at ASTI.
Brockton All-School Reunion
BROCKTON � The Brockton All-School Reunion held in the Brockton Gym last week was a great success in this little town of about 300 population. Approximately 180 people came from many states to visit with their old classmates and friends and reminisce of their early school years, etc.
Pictures were flashing and video camera were clicking all day long. States represented were North Dakota, Minnesota, California, Arizona, Virginia, Colorado, Oregon, Idaho, Ohio, Illinois, New Jersey, Wisconsin, and of course, many from cities and farms scattered^ throughout Montana. There were quite a number of friends, relatives, and family members of these school chums who came also to renew their acquaintances, so it was really a school/city reunion...and everybody really enjoyed themselves. It's been 25 years since any kind of Brockton reunion so there was lots to talk about!
After registration in the morning, the time was spent visiting with a coffee hour and cookies for all. A noon pot luck luncheon was served with a huge array of foods, with Lillian (Fisher) Candee in charge of the Lunch Committee, and assisted by many helpers. Co-chairmen were Nellie (Ruffatto) Fisher and Lila (Lien)
Elgie.
A program was held after the luncheon and was conducted by Gordon Samuelson of Couer D'Alene, Idaho, with Avis (Sch-mitz) Zoanni of South Culbertson assisting. Frances (Schmitz) Prevost of Lambert played several numbers on her accordian, and was assisted by her daughter, Mary Dillion of Wolf Point on the guitar. The children of the late Mr. & Mrs. Edwin Larson who used to live in the Anderson Community, north of Brockton, and years ago sang together for many occasions, sang several numbers together....just as good as they did years ago! They were: Rev. Luther Larson of Sparta, Wisconsin, Orvil Larson of New Jersey, Clara Brian of Fairfield Bay, Arkansas, Ingeborg Wallette of Kalispell, Mt., and Mabel Gobbs of Culbertson, Montana.
Yvonne Reddoor and her sister Irma Reddoor, both of Poplar, sang "How Great Thou Art" and "Amazing Grace," both in English, then in Sioux Indian. They again sang at the end of the program, along with Avis Zoanni, "Till We Meet Again" with the entire audience joining in the last verse. Gordon Samuelson showed video tapes of national happenings of the 1930's, 1940's and on and then all the veterans
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