Edwardo Wong's Trial in August

The trial of a man who's accused of shooting and killing a state trooper during a traffic stop in Haywood County has been delayed so one of his attorneys can receive and recover from cancer treatments.
Just a refresher for those who may not remember: the victim, David Shawn Blanton, Jr., was a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. At the time he was callously gunned down, he had a prematurely born son in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Mission Hospital in Asheville, a son who later died. Because of this action, a grieving widow was forced to grieve the loss of her son without his father.
Edwardo Wong, who faces the death penalty, has an extensive criminal history, including some violent offenses back in Florida. Yet here he was that July night cavorting around western North Carolina. Wong's lawyers have attacked Blanton's character, even suggesting that his stopping Wong (it was a minor traffic infraction) was racially motivated. It was night, and I doubt Blanton could determine Wong's race while patrolling, even if it would have been a factor. It's not as though Blanton hasn't had to deal with racism himself through being Native American.
While I can't fault one of his attorneys for getting treated for cancer and I do wish him well, the Blanton family deserves justice, and I think it's sad that these kind of blame-the-victim tactics have been used. I have no sympathy for Wong, and should a jury conclude he's guilty, I certainly won't be shedding any tears the day he's strapped to a table and a needle is put in his arm.

On The Cherokee One Feather

Occasionally I get asked about my opinion of the One Feather. Being the former editor I don't want to criticize the staff. I will say the paper isn't what it should be, nor is its website. Professional journalists who've looked at the paper haven't had kind words when they've spoken to me. That's not necessarily the undersized staff's fault. It mostly lies with the lack of leadership.
There is no editor, and since Pat Panther-Standingdeer, who was employed there since the early '70s retired, there's no assistant editor either. Two people, a reporter and subscription clerk, are running the whole show under the direction of people with no journalism credentials whatsoever, one of whom is a politician with an interest in self-preservation.
The paper falls under the direction of the tribe's Marketing and Promotions division, a huge conflict of interest for both Marketing and Promotions and the One Feather, and that move was made by Principal Chief Michell Hicks upon taking office in 2003.
Supposedly there's an editorial board established, but who are they, and what are their credentials? The One Feather should list them, along with their contact information. That's a huge responsibility, and each of them should own up to it.
I'm not necessarily saying that I should lead the paper again, but whoever oversees it needs to be someone who knows what they're doing and can rebuild the paper's journalistic reputation. It also needs the independence to do its job, and it won't get that under the direction of people who insist it ignore the cesspool next to the rose garden.

Principal Chief Wilma Mankiller Diagnosed With Pancreatic Cancer

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Wilma Mankiller was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer. Unfortunately the outlook for such a diagnosis isn't good. Mankiller has battled cancer in the past, and her survival of those battles has been among of number of things about Mankiller that have made her truly admirable.
Mankiller was the first female chief of the Cherokee Nation. In addition to that, there were a number of traits about her that I have found truly admirable, particularly her leadership on issues like freedom and improving the quality of life for tribal members. I finally got the chance to meet her a few years ago.
I'm sure these words are likely to make a few people gag (particularly a certain Joe Byrd apologizing PR coordinator whose classless response when I mentioned Mankiller in conversation was "f*** Wilma"), but I can't help hoping our band of Cherokee would just attempt to follow the model set by the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, particularly in regards to the rights of its members, access to information and freedom of the press. Those laws for the Eastern Band have thus far proven to be paper tigers under a chief that seems to be following the despotic example set by Chief Byrd.
I know the outlook is bad, but I'll be praying for Mankiller and the Cherokee Nation. God bless you all.

Reviewing the Governing Document

Legislation has been submitted once again on the issue of the tribe's governing document. Currently the tribe operates under a sham of a constitution introduced and passed by a Tribal Council resolution in 1986, in violation of federal law. Robert Youngdeer, then chief, rightfully vetoed the legislation, but an overwhelming majority of council members' support easily overrode the veto. In 1993, Tribal Council itself concluded that the 1986 Charter is invalid, but other than a 1999 constitution vote, legally organized with an overwhelming rejection of voters, no action was taken to reject the '86 Charter.
Efforts to address this issue with the last council were met with hostility, particularly from Big Cove Rep. Perry Shell. I don't expect a whole lot of support with this council, but I wish Big Y resident Nancy Long and Painttown Rep. Terri Henry luck.

Political Influence and the Courts

Teresa McCoy, Big Cove Tribal Council Representative, has introduced legislation that would make it a crime for elected officials to use intimidation, bribery or deception to influence decisions of the tribal court. This issue has come up time and time again, and both tribal court leaders and tribal elected officials have claimed that no such influence occurs.
While there is nothing to document such influence, here are a couple of major concerns.
All tribal employees' paychecks are signed by the principal chief and the vice chief. This is particular concern with such entities that should be free of political influence, particularly the courts.
While there's much talk about how chummy some elected officials are with judges and justices, this is verifiable. Supreme Court Justice Brenda Toineeta-Pipestem is married to a Washington lobbyist, whose contract with the tribe is something of which the principal chief has direct authority.
Bribery, intimidation, obstruction of justice in the justice system is something that should already be considered felony charges, but waiting for the feds, who have jurisdiction, would cause one to lose all hope. There's no harm in addressing this issue on the local level.

My Lawsuit

I still get questions about my lawsuit against the tribe for wrongful termination. While I can't at this time discuss specifics, I can say that efforts to mediate a settlement were fruitless, especially since any settlement would've required me to remain silent on my situation.
My case is about first amendment rights on reservation land more than it is wrongful termination to me. Both federal and tribal law protect everyone's right to free expression. Nothing makes me angrier than non native attorneys, who have no stake in anything with the tribe, who can't be held criminally liable in tribal court, helping tribal government officials repress the rights of tribal members (often times under the guise of "tribal sovereignty").
I'm aware that there are plenty of tribal members who hate me, hate what I have to say and hate my politics. That's o.k. with me, but understand this, the situation can just as easily be reversed and you could be on the receiving end of actions to punish expression of opinions those with power don't like. This case has important implications for you as well.

Shuler Throws Baby Out With the Bathwater - Possibly With Health Insurance Industry Blessings

I know full well that as a Native American I can get health care through Indian Health Service (IHS), however I would like options, and IHS coverage only exists while staying in the Eastern Cherokee service area. If I go to Asheville, I'm uncovered. If I go to Georgia, which is about 10 miles from home, or to Tennessee about 20 miles from home, I'm uncovered. That's aside from the fact that Indian Health Service is and has always been severely underfunded.
I'm one of America's uninsured. I can't afford it. Health insurance is expensive and increasingly unaffordable for most American families. That's on top of the fact the health insurance premiums continue to rise along with rising deductibles, meaning that they actually cover less. Forget coverage if you have a preexisting condition, like diabetes. And health insurance companies have a well earned reputation for abandoning clients if they should have the unmitigated gall to get diagnosed with a dreaded disease like cancer or HIV.
U.S. Congressional 11th District Representative Heath Shuler voted against the Health Care reform bill advocated by President Obama. He explains his position on his website. While saying that he supports many provisions of the bill, he said it doesn't address long-term costs or inefficiencies. “There is no question that our nation’s health care system is broken. Over the past few months, I have spoken with hundreds of constituents and received thousands of calls, letters and emails about health care reform. I thank everyone in Western North Carolina who so willingly shared their stories and concerns with me. It is clear to me that we, as a country, are failing to provide enough Americans with affordable options to manage their health care, prevent illness and treat existing conditions,” he states.
I was one of those who shared my view and stories. The cost of the bill can't compare to the cost to health care providers forced to eat the losses of uninsured patients who can't pay the bills, you know those who don't qualify for Medicaid or Medicare or some other government-funded health coverage. I was glad Shuler's office listened to my opinion, but I guess the campaign contribution from Blue Cross Blue Shield spoke louder.
If there were problems with the bill, as Shuler put it, how about addressing those problems after providing some type of reform in the process. Instead, Shuler threw the baby out with the bath water.