Ayukii huut kich,
I hope everything is going well in Indian Country. It has been an honor to represent the Karuk Tribe at meetings with other tribal leaders and government officials. These meetings are vital to all Karuk Tribal Members. All of our programs that help ensure the safety and well being of all Karuk members need representation to ensure we receive grant monies for our programs. The council is working at cutting costs by using webinars and teleconferencing instead of traveling; we are sending less people and taking more notes.
We are working hard to gain the right to manage our forests and the place where we live. Mr. Jefferson Keel, President of the National Congress for American Indians, said in his State of Indian Nations that now is the time for tribes to speak up and show the United States that we can be self-governed. That we can professionally maintain government to government relations. He said that nobody knows Indian Country better than the people who live there.

 We need to show that we have the knowledge and work ethic to manage our own forest areas. We need to relay the message that not only can we manage our forests but we can do it in a culturally sensitive and environmentally safe manner. This would create numerous job opportunities. In order to get more input from our members the council has included several questions we would like to gather feedback on for issues prevalent in Northern California Indian Country.
Please answer the questions and offer any suggestions or needs that may help us when we go to counsel with state and federal Tribal Leaders, Congressmen and Senators.

Yootva kura suva nik,
Buster Attebery
Karuk Chairman