Dora Reed to Face Closure

While I find it ironic that the agency that investigated allegations, including improper supervision, abuse and neglect at Dora Reed Childcare in Cherokee, a tribally-run preschool, is allegedly, partly responsible for the death of a 15-month-old, I have to say I'm glad some kind of action was taken in the case of this center. For years I've heard complaints from parents and former staffers about this facility, along these very same lines outlined in the notice of license revocation.
Plus, in my removal as editor of the One Feather, it was a job at this center for which I was transferred, and it was a job for which I was competed unqualified. It kind of lets you know where the tribe's leadership stands as far as the quality of supervision at this center. That's not to mention that a child molester once worked at that center in its language immersion program.
WLOS reported that Chief Hicks was in Raleigh this morning to try to negotiate keeping the center open. Uh, how about we address the serious problems immediately before going to Raleigh to berate state officials who were just doing their jobs, which most of us who know the chief know that's his preferred negotiating tactic?
Yes, I understand the need parents have in having affordable, available child care. I am a parent after all. But I'll be damned if I'm going to put my son in a facility where he could be subject to neglect and abuse. Fix those problems first chief. The welfare of the children take greater precedence than a convenience.

The Whole DSS Situation in Swain County is Outrageous

If you haven't been keeping up the huge screw up by Swain County's Department of Social Services, here it is in a nutshell. A 15-month-old girl died after being left in a car seat for 12 hours on January 10. She had only been given bites of a hotdog to eat and sips of soda. Her diaper was soaked with urine and feces.
Swain County's DSS placed the girl with a great aunt after her mother was arrested on drug charges. DSS allegedly covered up evidence of abuse, and when things came to light, the department acted by responding with slaps on wrists, certainly not the firings and possible criminal charges that should've resulted. Thank you Swain County Commissioners for asking the entire board to resign. I'm glad somebody acted.
The girl was an Eastern Band tribal member, and I can only draw from the DSS' lack of action that the lives of Native American children just aren't worth that much to them. Am I wrong? Then can you honestly say that had this happened to a white child that the same lack of action would've occurred? I think not.

The Chief's Facebook Page

Of course Michell Hicks isn't the only Principal Chief candidate who has a Facebook page. Juanita Wilson also has one. He is however the only candidate who has the control of the media in Cherokee to the degree that he does, which puts the others at a disadvantage. Patrick Lambert won't be getting all the happy stories in the One Feather about his accomplishments, nor will Wilson. But Chief Hicks enjoys all the happy fluffy propaganda pieces at his disposal through that paper, particularly now that an editor with no journalism background has been hired who likely won't question anything that could pose a conflict of interest.
Most of the "accomplishments" listed are those published in media that he controls. Also interesting to note, the number of non-tribal members who think Michell Hicks is wonderful. That goes for the non Indian media as well (Two executive editors for the Asheville Citizen-Times have told me that they were very impressed with Hicks.).
What really matters in the end is what the tribal members think. From what I'm hearing from tribal members, Michell Hicks is wasting his time and money running for reelection.

New News Outlet Offers Choice

Carolina Public Press is news outlet in the area seeking to get the untold stories told. When it comes to western North Carolina news coverage by the Asheville Citizen-Times west of Waynesville, we may as well not exist.
Needless to say, their coverage of Cherokee has a lot to be desired. The only time I see news from the tribe is when it involves the casino or some puff piece. I haven't seen a truly investigative piece on the tribal government in years. When the tribal investment committee lost $60 million of the children's money, nothing. Questionable credit card charges? Nothing. Tribal Council members endorsing a convicted rapist for elected office? Nothing.
The fact they ignored stories like this while showing Chief Hicks happily opening a golf course (that's clearly destined for failure), is cause for concern during an election year. There is no independent press covering the tribe.
So the idea of Carolina Public Press is refreshing. As for the Citizen-Times, start covering western North Carolina an the tribe more in depth, or lose your "Voice of the mountains" motto.