Transparency in all things Financial

We, tribal members, have seen a significant increase in information coming to us electronically from our tribal government offices over the last few years. From the weekly updates sent out to members, to Facebook & Instagram posts highlighting the tremendous work being conducted by all of the Tribal departments from the Health office & newly opened clinic, to Social Services and Education programming and, housing development plans, and our food sovereignty program, our Tribe is continuing to pursue projects that will enhance the lives and well-being of our people whenever and wherever possible given available resources. This is good work!! Lapuhch!! It's a good thing!!

There is one area that we, as a community, have yet to tackle--it's the most critical because it sheds light on the possibility of continued support to all of the programs mentioned above and so many more--information that may be familiar to some segments of our tribal community, but what needs to be made accessible to ALL Tribal citizens!!

We have all heard the phrase, "Money isn't everything!" That is so true. It isn't, BUT...money is a tool that allows us to support and provide care for our loved ones. It enables our Tribal leaders to develop and offer support programs that so many of our Tribal families benefit from and rely upon. For these reasons, it is essential that our Tribal leaders share with our members not only the surface-view of the decisions they make, but they must also explain to the people whose interests they are sworn to represent what decisions they are making financially, why, how, and most importantly, the outcome of their decisions.

Elected officials MUST share the financial details of the projects they pursue in the name of the Tunica-Biloxi people--through the entire process of project development, and the final financial outcome of their endeavors.

I want to know if decisions made by elected officials have been successful.

• Have they generated new avenues of positive cash flows to the Tribe?

• Has the Tribe's Net Equity position improved, year over year?

  • Considering all the Tribe's Assets and all its Liabilities, what is the Net Value of our Tribe's holdings at the end of the day?

  • Is our Tribe in a better position financially than it was the previous year/years?

• Has there been real, tangible growth in any or all areas of business development?

  • sustainable jobs that last beyond federal government handouts,

  • personnel training and skills enhancement--strengthening the 'marketability' of our tribal citizen employees,

  • foundational development for future leadership in all areas of Tribal operations.

The hard truth is, in order to achieve these goals & objectives, the process of spending tens of millions, sometimes hundreds of millions, of dollars every year by Tribal officials needs to be shared with Tribal citizens in such a way so as to foster informed discussions & communications, between Tribal leaders and the people...

IF WE DO NOT SHARE THE DETAILS OF THE DECISIONS BEING MADE, HOW CAN WE AS A COMMUNITY LEARN FROM PAST & PRESENT MISTAKES IN ORDER TO AVOIID THEM IN THE FUTURE?

• I BELIEVE IN SHARING DETAILED FINANCIAL INFORMATION WITH OUR TRIBAL CITIZENS!!

• I BELIEVE IN MENTORING TRIBAL MEMBER EMPLOYEES, EMPOWERING THEM TO STEP UP AS FUTURE LEADERS OF OUR TRIBAL COMMUNITY!

• I BELIEVE IN SHARING THIS KIND OF INFORMATION WITH OUR TRIBAL PEOPLE ACROSS THE BOARD BECAUSE, UNDOUBTEDLY, OUR FUTURE LEADERS WILL RISE FROM WITHIN THE GREATER TRIBAL POPULATION...AND OUR POTENTIAL LEADERS NEED TO LEARN, UNDERSTAND, AND BE READY TO MOVE THE TRIBE FORWARD IN THE YEARS TO COME!

  
  

Financial Transparency is the best path to deter

abuse and waste by elected & appointed officials.

Financial Accountability is the Foundation that will ensure

the future stability of our Tribal Community!!