My name is Bonnie Jo Griffith and I come from the Sarcoxie line of the Delaware Tribe. I am Registration #248.
I believe that our tribe has many untapped resources that could be used to benefit our tribal members. Since we are not a tribe with any wealth I feel we need to make every dime we have count. We should be investing in our tribal members’ future and not in land acquisition.
It is my view that land purchased for gaming is a waste of our limited funds. I feel that we have “climbed in bed” with River Trails unnecessarily. My opinion is we are TOO attached to them and I would like to pursue ways to break this “bond” we have to them. I believe our tribe is somehow legally bound to them, due to the actions of our current administration, but feel that with good legal council we could stand without them.
We need real economic growth. Although I know gaming has worked for many tribes, I do not feel this is an endeavor we should spend our resources on. In my opinion, the market has become saturated with casinos. Investing in technology seems to me to make more sense. There are many other possibilities that our tribe could engage in that would reap benefits much more quickly. I feel we should get the Caney property put in trust as soon as possible. By the way, I asked at General Council last year why we couldn’t put that property in trust instead of the Lawrence land. I was told emphatically by our chief that it couldn’t be done. Well lo and behold, our elected officials have started that process now. Thanks for taking my advice. Once we get the land in trust I feel that a true truck stop (complete with service bays, good diner food, showers, etc. would turn a profit much quicker than a casino.
My view is that our Delaware Facilities Management Services, LLC (DFMS), a tribally owned entity, should be immediately closed. It seems that a much more economical way to assist Housing would be for them to have their own Maintenance Department. I feel we have qualified personnel already in place that could oversee the maintenance and possibly hire one or two individuals to do the actual hands on maintenance. We have got to stop the bleeding in our tribe of monies going to DFMS. It is my opinion that the staff we have now in DFMS is overpaid, under worked, and definitely lacks supervision by the tribe.
We have had many employees dismissed this year. Most of these firings, I feel, were uncalled for. It appears to me that the personnel process of hiring and firing should not be entrusted to the Council. We need a Personnel Committee. I think that the make up of this committee should be: the H.R. Manager, two Tribal Council members (chosen by the Council), two Trust Board members (chosen by the Trust Board), and the Manager of the department that is hiring/firing. It’s my opinion that the chief should have no involvement.
One of the things I truly feel our tribe is in need of is a very strict anti-nepotism policy. We need to eliminate any possibility of improprieties in our government. Right now we have many close relatives of our chief working and being compensated by our tribe. It’s my opinion this is totally improper.
The Delaware Tribe of Indians Tribal Council has many meetings, or as our council refers to them…. workshops, each month that are behind closed doors. In whose world is this acceptable? ALL meetings and workshops should be open to our tribal members. Sure, there are times that any council should have an Executive Session. But, those should be few and far between. Workshops should definitely be open to the public, as is the policy with our neighboring tribes.
I ask you to join me, this coming Saturday, and let’s return our tribe to its members. I want this tribe to be a tribe run by and for the people, not by and for the chief and council. By this I mean that I want a Council that LISTENS to what our People feel is important and make every attempt to carry out the wishes of the majority. I want a tribe run with honesty and respect.
Will we ever disagree? Absolutely
Will I listen to you? Absolutely
Will EVERY wish and idea you have happen? Probably not
Will EVERY wish and idea I have happen? Absolutely not
But……I promise to LISTEN.
The above are just some of my thoughts, wishes, and hopes for our great tribe. If you have questions or concerns on my ideas for our tribe, please call, text, or email me. We can talk.
WE ARE DELAWARE STRONG!!
Bonnie Jo Griffith
bjogriffith@aol.com
918-331-3805
http://www.mydelawareviews.wordpress.com
mydelawareviews 
Bonnie I just read you new blog and am finding a place where you are saying one thing and suggesting another.
Here it is: It appears to me that the personnel process of hiring and firing should not be entrusted to the Council. We need a Personnel Committee. I think that the make up of this committee should be: the H.R. Manager, two Tribal Council members (chosen by the Council),
Personally I DO NOT believe the Tribal Council in any shape or form should be involved in personnelhiring and firing. I think that Department Heads should be on the personnel committee. That’s my opinion.
Your suggestion is definitely a very viable option, lenape2. As I’ve stated before, all members should be heard. Yours is certainly an idea that has merit and should be considered. I had not thought of that possibility. Thanks so much.
There should not be a Tribal member hungry, seriously ill. poorly housed, or left without assistance for education. Undoubtedly, this is a huge task and some would say impossible. However, we must learn to “think outside the box” if we are to achieve these goals. A famous quote is to “achieve the impossible dream.” It takes a “village” (in this case a tribe) to work together to achieve these goals. May be in my lifetime I will see this attitude of servant leadership.
Great words Nate. Hopefully our tribe will become THAT tribe.