Letters to the Editor -- Sept. 1

Dear Tribal Council members and those responsible for the education cuts:

My name is Nancy Babb, and I have left each and every one of you a telephone message concerning a letter I received Aug. 18, 2011, from the Education Department cutting my education funding $3,000 a year.

There are several reasons why I am upset with this decision. First of all, I start school Monday, meaning I am receiving a major financial change in my living expenses with a four-day notice.

Secondly, the four-year college program is receiving a $1,000 increase. I do not understand the reasoning behind this decision. Living expenses do not change regardless if you are attending a two-year college vs. a four-year college. I still have the same rent, the same food cost, the same amount of fuel I have to put in my car, the same cost of living. Give the $1,000 increase to the program that was cut $3,000! It just does not make much sense to me.

Another problem I have is that I just spoke with the Education Department to ensure that my funding was still on track (I have found if you do not take action and follow through, things tend to be lost or left hanging) since I rely on this money to support myself and my two Tribal member children. I was told I was in compliance and everything was a go.

Well, I just got off the phone with my school and they have not received anything from the Tribe. My school needs a week or two to process checks received from outside sources. This means I am at the mercy of the Tribe to issue a check, for less money, then wait until the school receives it, and wait even more until they do a check run.

Normally, I receive my scholarship funds the first Friday of school, which would be Aug. 26. But since the school has not received anything from the Tribe, I will have to wait for an undetermined amount of time thus creating a significant hardship since I make payment arrangements with creditors to pay my bills on the 26th, the normal day I usually receive payment.

I am just sick about this. I believe it is very unprofessional for the Tribe to act in such a manner that creates an extreme hardship for Tribal members. Not only do I get less funding, I am given four days notice to create a new financial budget to support my family and I have no idea when I am getting my education funds and I will be in class this Monday. What is wrong with this picture?

I am so disappointed with my Tribe, especially when I do all I am supposed to do to ensure timely payment, a tremendous hardship was just thrown my way with only a four-day notice and nothing I can do about it.

I thought there is always an option for appeal. None was even mentioned in the letter. I feel lost without even having a day to expect payment. It all just seems so wrong and unprofessional. I have no recourse. The Tribe has not even given me an opportunity to have a say in something that gravely affects me. Shouldn't Tribal members have that opportunity?

At least keep things the same for fall semester, giving ample time for students to adjust by spring. Is that so hard to do? It definitely seems fair.

I beg you to please consider this suggestion. It would definitely give the time I need to work on a solution.

Nancy Babb

Roll No. 2353

Dear Smoke Signals:

I would like to thank the following Tribal members on behalf of the Tribal inmates at the Oregon State Penitentiary and myself for their donation of salmon: Duke Kimsey, Marcus Gibbons, Mike Larsen, Jeff Larsen, Daniel Freeman, Amanda Freeman, Sean Freeman, Sydney West, Winston Mercier, Bill Lafferty, Phoenix Walker, Ferrell DeGarmo, Royal Freeman, Shawna Freeman, Anthony Sabin, Robert Mercier, Lewis S. Younger, Christopher Freeman, Kenneth E. Lafferty, Leslie Freeman and T.J. Grefsrud.

These members generously donated their distribution salmon to supply the annual OSP powwow with a wonderful meal. The powwow was a great success and had a large turnout.

Also, I would like to thank the Natural Resources staff for donating 10 pounds of elk meat and also their efforts in organizing the pick-up of the salmon.

Andrew Freeman

Roll No. 2285