Our Council's Executive Committee

After the Election of 2018 there was a very strong push to 'restructure' our tribal government, to have it be more comparable to the United States government with three branches: Executive, Judicial, and Legislative. Some tribes do have this kind of government structure, but many do not. The historical tradition of our Tunica-Biloxi Tribal government has been all Council members at the table at the same time!

Our tribal members have very little say in the operations of our government. But every two years we do have the chance to go on record with our choices of who shall serve and lead this tribe best. Though the terms are staggered with 3 or 4 positions coming open for selection during an election cycle, the tribal members, the Tunica-Biloxi people, select ALL SEVEN INDIVIDUALS who represent our tribe in an official capacity. Other tribal professionals are appointed, but these 7 are CHOSEN BY THE PEOPLE.

When our elected officials meet to participate in the governance of our tribal community, I believe ALL SEVEN should be at the table, together, so each and every one is aware of the issues before our leaders and that they are party to the discussion and debate of those issues prior to issuing their final decisions. THIS is the historical and cultural tradition of our tribe, and it deserves to be preserved for the best interests of our tribal nation.

Our elected leaders come from different families, different regions of the U.S., and different backgrounds of experience. The citizens who have voted for them did so in order for their representative(s) to be present, to bring a voice to their desires and hopes for our tribe. A consolidation of such power amongst only a few tribal leaders is not the best course of action for our tribe.

We have heard repeatedly over the years that 'teamwork' is the focus, or should be, of all our efforts to advance the Tunica-Biloxi Nation. Dividing the Tribal Council between an 'Executive Committee' and a group of Council Members at Large serves no purpose in creating and reinforcing the concept of teamwork! Our Council should be united--whether the final outcome is unanimous or by majority action--even when they disagree, if we are to advance in a positive direction with a full understanding of every side of a decision or situation with respect for the views of all of our people.

For the record, when the vote was taken in 2018 to divide our Council into an Executive Committee and Legislative branch, I was the only Council Member to vote "NO." Why? Because every elected official should be at the table for decision-making that impacts the quality of life for all Tunica-Biloxi people. Lapuhch!! It's a good thing!!