For more than a decade, I've fooled myself into believing that I was editing a newspaper when I was over the One Feather. Although Principal Chiefs Joyce Dugan and Leon Jones allowed me to operate it like a newspaper, when Michell Hicks became chief, it was clear that the One Feather is a newsletter disguised as a newspaper. My resistance to this idea cost me my job.
I currently have a lawsuit against the tribe for wrongful termination. While I can't discuss any legal strategy, I can discuss what has been public.
First of all I was clearly punished for stating opinions that Chief Hicks didn't like. Now one could say that my lawsuit is about my anger with the chief, and I was angry. That's not the case now. Now I'm just disgusted at him. He clearly is suffering from BMOBS syndrome (Believe My Own BS), and Tribal Council has just become his enablers.
My lawsuit is about holding the chief accountable, especially since Tribal Council failed to do it. He violated the tribe's Free Press law, twice, a year ago.
I hope that tribal court will hold him accountable. I have my doubts, especially when a judge, whose paycheck is signed by guess who, suggests that justice in my case is served by the fact that I've been able to criticize tribal leadership in my own publication. As much as I doubt the trial level courts, I have less faith in the tribal Supreme Court. Justices who are appointed by Chief Hicks, one of whom has a husband with a lucrative lobbying contract that can held over her head, don't reassure me.
While I lack faith in the courts, just as I did with a Council who sat on their hands, one even praising the chief's illegal actions, I still have faith in the private press, and I challenge all non-tribal media to take a hard and honest look at the tribe's leadership and report the truth. Scratch below the facade provided by the tribe's half-baked PR department and report an honest view of the tribe. It's not all the chief handing out free backpacks and Christmas boxes to the elderly. So to other bloggers, Citizen-Times, WLOS, Smoky Mountain News and other non-tribal publications, turn on the lights in Cherokee and see for yourself what vermin scatters. Exposing problems is the first step toward finding a solution.
Breaking Down Barriers in Sexual and Reproductive Health Reporting in Africa
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*This is a guest post by Humphrey Nabimanya, founder of Reach a Hand
Uganda. *
[image: 2016-04-15-1460736651-1435623-huffpo1.jpg]*Journalists and bloggers...
8 years ago
1 comment:
I for one have very little faith in our judical system. In all truth, it is a far cry from what a true judical system is suppose to be. I do not feel that justice will be served regarding any lawsuit against any elected offical here on the Qualla Boundary.
With regard to the truth finding its way into mainstream media. I would be surprised if regional newspapers or media would even approach a story on their own, however, I feel it is the duty of all enrolled members who are tired of the unethical governence by this administration to write to these regional papers via letters to the editor, calls to reporters presenting factual not conjecture information, writing of blogs on internet sites that provide this avenue, and just plain speaking not only up but out.
Apathy is a bitter pill to swallow and we have a bad case of conditioned apathy that is facilitated and maintained through fear. Only we the people can bring about change. Failed Democracy comes as a result of people giving up and in to oppression.
I am a proud United States citizen who is enrolled in a tribe whose government practices principles contrary to democractic values.
We are a tribal nation where the principles of Democracy ceases to exist when you cross the borders unto tribal land and that's very sad!
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