Pawnee leadership still undecided on settlement money

PAWNEE, Okla. — A twice-postponed joint council meeting left many Pawnee Nation citizens still wondering Saturday how their tribe is going to spend a multi-million dollar federal payout.

Earlier this year, the tribe received a $4.4 million settlement payment as part of Nez Perce v. Salazar, a 2006 lawsuit against the federal government. Since the Pawnee Nation received its share, some tribal citizens have been speculating about how the money would be spent, prompting Saturday’s joint meeting between the tribe’s business council and Nasharo Council, or Chiefs’ Council.

Originally scheduled for June 16, then delayed until Aug. 18 and postponed again, more than 30 tribal citizens attended the Aug. 25 meeting to offer their suggestions on how to spend the money.

Several attendees expressed their support for using at least a portion of the settlement funds for a per capita payment.

“Let each of us have a portion of the money and if folks want to give it back to the tribe, then fine,” David Wichita said. “They can give it to burial aid, the education program or another program that they think needs help if they don’t want to keep it.”

“Our people shouldn’t have to beg for this money,” Pawnee elder Bea Realrider said. “It’s a small amount that won’t necessarily go that far, but we shouldn’t have to beg or tell our life stories to justify getting a few extra dollars. It’s our money and we want it now.”

Another elder, Lillie Cummings, submitted a petition with more than 220 signatures this spring to the tribe’s government, requesting a per capita payment.

“Why can’t we get a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote today?” Cummings asked. “At this point, I don’t know if the council wants to listen to us or not.”

Other attendees suggested allocating at least part of the money into tribal programs, primarily common education and elder assistance. Other suggested investing it into business ventures that would generate revenue and create additional jobs for the community, such as a grocery store.

After more than four hours of discussion and public comments, the councils postponed a decision and announced a second joint meeting to discuss the matter after allowing additional time for out-of-state tribal members to voice their suggestions. The next meeting, scheduled for Sept. 8, will be held entirely in executive session, a decision many attendees derided.

“They don’t want the people to know what’s going on,” Cynthia Rice said after the meeting. “They (the councils) should already have had something in place before the check hit the bank.”

Despite comments and compliments about the turnout, several attendees were turned away early on.

As soon as the opening prayer ended, Pawnee Nation Business Council president Marshall Gover asked everyone to leave who was not an enrolled citizen of the Pawnee Nation.

“This is a tribal matter for tribal members only,” Gover said. “This money came to the Pawnee Nation. If there is a per capita, it will be restricted to those who are enrolled here.”

A Pawnee Nation police officer remained stationed at the entrance during the meeting to enforce Gover’s decision.

Among those excluded from the meeting was June Hamilton, the director of Indian Education for Pawnee Public Schools. Half Pawnee by blood, she is an enrolled citizen of the Sac and Fox Nation.

“This isn’t right,” she said. “I’ve lived here all my life. I served on the tribe’s housing and Head Start boards. Just because I’m enrolled in my father’s tribe doesn’t mean I’m not deeply concerned about what is going on. I love my community and my people.

“My mother was on the roll. My grandparents were on the roll. My kids and grandkids are enrolled and they’re talking about plans for the future in there. I’d like to know how they’re going to be impacted. Most of the kids I work with are Pawnee and I’d like to be in there to help speak for them as well.”

The Pawnee Nation has about 3,500 enrolled citizens. It is the smallest of the 40 tribes that participated in Nez Perce v. Salazar and the only one based in Oklahoma.