Karuk Tribe of
Council Meeting Minutes
February 28, 2008
The meeting was called to order at 5:03 PM by Leaf
Hillman, Vice Chairman.
Sonny
Roll Call
Present
Leaf Hillman, Vice Chairman
Florrine Super, Secretary
Leeon Hillman, Treasurer –
5:08 PM
Roy Arwood, Member
Sonny Davis, Member
Alvis Johnson, Member
Robert Goodwin, Member
Absent
Arch Super, Chairman – on
travel
Quorum is established.
Approval of the Agenda for February 28, 2008
Robert Goodwin moved and
Alvis Johnson seconded to approve the Agenda for February 28, 2008. 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
Approval of the Minutes for January 24, 2008
Leeon Hillman arrived at 5:08 PM.
1) Lessie
Aubrey
Lessie was present to address
the Council and request approval for the Chronic Pain Management in Non-cancer Patients
Conference that Dr. Burns is coordinating in
Robert Goodwin moved and
2) CASA
Kayla Super was present to
address the Council and discuss the CASA of Siskiyou County Grant that was
mentioned at the last Health Board Meeting on February 14, 2008. She states she met with the project liaison
from National CASA who expressed to them that because their caseload is so
light and their volunteer base is so low they would not qualify for funding for
her position next year. They decided to
collaborate with CASA of Siskiyou County to develop an expansion grant that
will work with the Tribe to do outreach work and training. If funded she would become an employee of the
County CASA Program. April will also be
submitting a grant for an expansion grant for the Tribal Program as well; you
cannot re-apply for funding to continue current program activities, there has
to be expansion of the program to qualify for funding. Her full grant is not ready for approval and
has not been through the required review process at this time. They feel that by structuring the proposals
this way they would have the best chances at having both grants approved. The deadline for submission is March 7, 2008;
the County would like to mail theirs on Monday.
A letter of support from the Tribe will be necessary for the County
grant.
Florrine states it works good
for CASA because collaborating with the County allows them to keep Kayla
working, while not as their employee, but still in their area with their people.
It will also help the Tribe to build
their volunteer base up and seek further funding for her to come back to the
Tribe. Florrine asked where the funding
for the outreach comes from for the newsletters; Karen Bowers, Executive
Director of CASA of Siskiyou County, states that there would be funding sought
for the advertising costs. She states
she wants to see both programs do well and this is a way to allow Kayla to work
with both programs and also do outreach for both programs. National CASA supports collaboration and that
would increase their odds of receiving funding.
Kayla states that if the National funding is not awarded, there are
Tribal set-asides that could be accessed, those cannot be directly accessed however,
you have to be denied by National CASA first.
Leaf asked what the caseload
numbers look like. April states that
National standards suggest that a part time person supervise no more than 25-30
volunteers; they currently have 18 that have been trained but there is a need
for an increase in trained volunteers in the downriver area. They anticipate bringing on six more
volunteers by August. April states she
plans to expand public relations in
The grant Kayla distributed
will be submitted by the County requiring a letter of support from the
Tribe. It is due in
3) Susan Gehr,
Language
Susan is present to review
her written report with the Council and audience. She is working on the ANA Language Grant
which is due March 12, 2008; she is coordinating with Barbara for a phone vote
next week as there will be no Wednesday Meeting.
She is currently in the third
year of the ANA Language Grant and developing the proposal for the next three
year cycle. They are proposing to train
apprentice learners in learning the language and how to document the language
and prepare/share what they have documented with the communities. They would also transcribe and analyze
audio/visual language materials to be added to the Karuk Dictionary and expand
the body of the current language.
She hopes to have the final draft
completed by Saturday for review by Erin and Laura next week.
Bob states that there are
many methods out there for learning languages and learning them quickly at
their own pace such as dvd’s and cd’s, has she considered this for the Karuk
language program. Susan states that is
not a question that is so far off. She
states the Rosetta Stone Company has an endangered languages program where if
they can cover the costs of a linguist who is familiar and support staff, they
will lend their expertise to the project to develop such a tool. She states ANA has not been supportive of
that type of collaboration, they prefer that all resources and capacities be
local and not commercial. Sonny states
much of their language involves feelings and expression and cannot be taught
through audio that is recorded very easily.
She states her experience with the teaching was picture associations and
questions not through speaking the language.
She has a request to be able
to invite a Council Member to attend the conference being held next week who
can do a blessing in Karuk in Arcata on March 17-18, 2008. Sonny is available on March 18, 2008.
Florrine Super moved and
Leeon Hillman seconded to approve Susan’s report. 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
4) Earl Crosby,
DNR
Not present, written report
only; no action items. There is a public
hearing March 18, 2008 at 6 PM to discuss the dam re-licensing and they will be
doing outreach between now and then to encourage Tribal Members to attend the
hearing to speak on behalf of the Tribe.
Alvis Johnson moved and
Robert Goodwin seconded to approve Earl’s report. 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
5) Scott Quinn,
Land/Transportation
He apologized for not
submitting his report on time; he distributed a written report and reviewed the
information contained.
He states he has good news
that there appears to be some action on their fee-to-trust applications which
is promising that they are moving forward on approvals. He states that some of them have made their
way back to
He states Sandi has started
her new position and is working diligently on their inventory which needs to be
completed by March 15, 2008. They will
have to bring the MOU’s for the inventory to them for approval at the March 13,
2008 Health Board Meeting since there is no Wednesday Meeting next week. Scott states the other entities have the
documents but they have not approved them, they are reviewing them.
He states he has one item for
approval tonight which is purchase of the museum/gift shop sign
right-of-way. There is a charge of $670
for Caltrans to install the signs, plus the costs to purchase the signs; he
does not know the price on the signs yet.
They have already paid $70 to Caltrans, $600 remains. The signs will be on each side of
Robert Goodwin moved and
Florrine Super seconded to approve $600 for Caltrans to install the signs from
discretionary. 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
Dwayne asked if there is any
lower cost way to purchase/install these signs.
Scott states that because it is a
Florrine Super moved and
Roy Arwood seconded to approve Scott’s report.
7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
Florrine announced to the audience that Culture
Classes are being held in Yreka every Sunday; they have been very successful
with about 20 people attending each one.
She states this week’s session will be held at 12 PM instead of 3 PM as
she has to travel out of town but encourages participation.
6) Rick Hill,
Grants
Rick was present to review
his written report. He states he has
been working with Ron Reed and two professors from UC Berkeley on developing a
project to pursue funding to develop an Eco-Cultural Revitalization Program for
the Tribe. It would include funding for
Youth Camps to be held during the summer months. He has already pursued the California
Wellness Foundation regarding funding for a similar project on Diabetes
Prevention and the cultural diet. He has
been working with Dave Wrobleski as well on funding for his program. Byron asked what the Diabetic study would
include. Rick explained that Kari would
be doing a continuation on her research regarding diabetes and the cultural
diet. He suggests they contact Mike Reed
in
Roy Arwood moved and Sonny
7) Dave
Wrobleski, People’s Center
Dave was present to address
the Council and review his written report.
He distributed one action
item which is Resolution 08-R-020 authorizing the submission of a funding
proposal in the amount of $5,000 to the
He states he continues to
work with
He states he worked with
Jerry Brink to complete a survey with Cabot Vineyards and he again requests to
utilize that revenue for the basketweaver’s gathering; Bob states that until
they know the exact amount of the profit, they cannot vote on that. He will bring it back when they are completed
with the project and know the amount.
He states that there will be
a NAGPRA conference at the People’s Center next Thursday and Friday in Happy
Camp; there are only 14 spaces available, he needs to know which Council
Members will attend and if any Tribal Members are interested. Sonny states he will be there, no other Council
members committed themselves but indicated they would try to make it.
He states they held their
first Advisory Committee Meeting and are off to a great start. He states the Men’s Culture Class will be
each Tuesday evening.
Robert Goodwin moved and
Leeon Hillman seconded to approve Resolution 08-R-020. 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
Florrine Super moved and
Leeon Hillman seconded to approve Dave’s report. 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
8) Jennifer
Goodwin, Education
Not present, no report submitted;
she is ill.
9) Lisa Aubrey,
LIAP
Lisa was present to review
her written report with the Council. She
states she has no action items and reviewed the information contained in her
report which covered the numbers of individuals served through the program.
She encourages everyone to
review their utility bills to see if they are enrolled in the CARE Program as
it can make a big difference in their bills.
She states that she is also working with Dion to coordinate a budgeting
class for the members served through her program.
She also announced that
Babbie will be holding a food handlers certification class through IHS for
anyone who does cooking in Happy Camp on April 9, 2008.
Florrine Super moved and
Leeon Hillman seconded to approve Lisa’s report. 7 haa, 0 puuhara, o pupitihara.
10) Dion Wood, TERO
Dion distributed his written
report to the Council for review. His
report included an overview of the childcare program. He states they have paid out about 35% of
their grant for this year. At that rate it should last through the year. He sates that the National Indian Child Care
Association will be holding their board meeting in Washington, DC, March 12-14,
2008 and will be paying for one attendee from each Tribe. They will also pay for the CFO to attend
training on the CCDF budget, March 26, 2008 in
He states the contract with
He states on February 7, 2008
TERO held their strategic Planning session for the year. Their first item is to strengthen the
Workforce Protection through implementing items into the TERO Ordinance to
protect against unwanted unions. They
are moving toward their economic development goals; they thanked them for
permission to move forward with implementing a smoke shop aspect in the
People’s Center Gift Shop. He is
interested in identifying a location in Yreka from which they could pursue the
same activity in that community to generate revenue.
He announced that the Hoopa
Tribal Civilian Community Corps has been in Happy Camp working with the
maintenance department on many different projects. They have built a trail in Happy Camp behind
the People’s Center, installed steps at Head Start and they will be holding a
thank you Indian Taco Dinner on Thursday, March 6, 2008 at 4pm. He would also like to give them a gift such
as $25 gift certificates to the People’s Center Gift Shop. There are fifteen crew members.
Roy Arwood moved and
Florrine Super seconded to approve $375 for gift certificates to the Tribal CCC
Crew. 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
Florrine Super moved and
Sonny
11) Laura Mayton, CFO
Written report only; she is
in Happy Camp with the auditors.
Roy Arwood moved and
12) Sami Difuntorum, Housing
Ann is present on behalf of
Sami to review the Housing report.
She states that they will be
accessing prior year funding to pave the driveways from the two cul-de-sacs in
the Yreka Elders Housing and plan to do that in the Spring. They continue to finalize the
They will be building three
lease w/purchase option homes in Yreka that will incorporate alternative power;
Happy Camp is looking into building one home in Happy Camp, possibly a duplex
on the Feuillye property, and possibly converting a five bedroom into a duplex.
They have been selected as a
semi-finalist by the Harvard Project in the area of Environmentally Responsible
Building and Community Development. They
have submitted additional data for consideration. Florrine states a Tribal Member is studying
in that area and she would like to give her their contact information to work
with them.
Florrine states that when
there is domestic violence reported and the police are dispatched, the tenant
is docked for having the police at their home and they need to discuss that
since it penalizes them for attempting to protect themselves; Ann will have
that added to the Agenda for next week’s Planning Session.
A question from the audience
was raised regarding disabled veteran’s not receiving points unless they are on
the SSI disability system; if they are receiving VA disability it is not clear
if they will receive points for that.
Leaf believes it does not matter; they receive the points if they are
disabled. This will also be added to the
Agenda for next week’s planning meeting.
13) Erin Hillman, Administrative Programs
She states that the meeting
with NMAI is scheduled for March 20, 2008 in Happy Camp. She would like permission for Kathleen to
cook dinner for 20-25 people that evening when the presenter is on site. The presentation will be at the
Robert Goodwin moved and
She states the
She states she requested the
budget modifications to the Emergency Preparedness Grant approved at the last
meeting and she has contacted the training facility regarding the Framework for
Tribal Governments and been informed that the classes are filled up for March
and September. She states that there is
a possibility to have it presented July 21-24, 2008 at the Yurok Tribe’s
Klamath Offices and they can send three people to the training. She would like to know who would like to
attend. Florrine is interested and
She states she attended the
Tri County Intertribal Emergency Response Team/Emergency Response Plan meeting
and the Humboldt County Operational Area meeting. She states that the Yurok Tribe has declared
a state of emergency for the residents in the Tulley Creek area due to the
Martin’s
Robert Goodwin moved and
Alvis Johnson seconded to approve
14) Jim Berry, KCDC
Byron McLane was present to
introduce himself as the newly hired Student Services Coordinator through the
ANA Paths to Prosperity Grant to get youth, members, and employees interested
in employment with the Tribe and to help folks get into school.
He states he has been
learning all of the acronyms of the Tribe since he has been with the
Tribe. The one thing he sees that this
Tribe has that many don’t is the support to educate their members and
employees. He is asking that everyone
get anyone they know interested in speaking to him about going back to school
and getting an education. He states
there will be computer right in the Yreka building to allow them to start
accessing classes and learn how to go to college online or sign up with classes
with the local colleges. He encourages
them all to refer at least one person to him that can better themselves or
further their education/career through college classes.
Byron states that he has
spoke to Jennifer and realizes how little the Tribe has for education funding
but states there are many, many scholarships out there in Siskiyou County that
residents can get to go to COS and he can help them with identifying funding
that can help them. He will be attending
his first conference next week in
He states he works on Mondays
and Tuesdays and then schedules appointments in the evenings for those who work
on other days of the week.
Leeon Hillman moved and
Robert Goodwin seconded to approve the KCDC report. 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
15) Hector Garcia, Self Governance
Hector was present to review
his written report.
He states he will be working
next week on preparing the budget information for the meeting he and Leaf will
be attending in
Florrine would like to give
them an update on the meeting that she and Hector attended for the Educational
Summit. Hector states they met with the
California Tribes to have a delegation and to attempt to influence the National
congregation with their needs for JOM and No Child Left Behind issues. He states it was great for establishing
networking with other Tribes and the attitudes of the individuals they spoke to
made it the best meeting they have attended so far. He states that he has followed up with all of
the individuals he met while they were there and will follow up via phone in a
week or so as well. He states past
meetings with Dianne Feinstein’s staff have been very stand-offish but this new
staffer was very receptive to them.
Florrine stated that one
positive feedback she received was regarding Head Start and was told that they
are working on that rather than the usual response which is to just listen to
them and not say anything. Leeon asked
if he feels it would be beneficial to take the Education Director or an
Education Committee Member to these meetings; Hector feels it should be the
Education Director and a Council Member who attend the meetings. Leeon asked how he will be conveying the
information received back to the individuals who work on Education here. Florrine states that they planned to attend
the next Education Committee Meeting and update them. Florrine states that speaking to the Southern
California Tribes regarding working with the other Tribes in that area gave
them some feedback on who they should and should not work with on projects.
Hector states that he, Arch,
and Barbara Norman participated in a conference call with DOI regarding the
Probate Code to determine what is necessary to get that document approved. Barbara states that they anticipate receiving
a letter in late March or early April regarding any modifications they will
request.
Roy Arwood moved and
Florrine Super seconded to approve Hector’s report. 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 1 pupitihara (Alvis
Johnson).
16) April Attebury, Tribal Court
April distributed her written
report for their review. It has an
update on her activities and caseload for the past month.
She has one action item which
is the approval of Contract 08-C-021 with Charles Henry not to exceed $3,000 to
provide judicial services to the
Robert Goodwin moved and
Leeon Hillman seconded to approve Contract 08-C-021. 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
She also presented Resolution
08-R-025 supporting the CASA of Siskiyou County proposal for funding. There were a couple of typos that needed to
be addressed but other than that it looks fine.
Robert Goodwin moved and
Robert Goodwin moved and
17) Kayla Super, CASA
Written report only, she has
left already.
Robert Goodwin moved and
18) Fred
Burcell, Maintenance
Written report only, not
present.
Roy Arwood moved and Leeon
Hillman seconded to approve Fred’s report.
7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
19) Davey Davis,
Maintenance
Written report only, not
present.
20) Sara Spence, Human Resources
Sara was present to review
her written report with the Council. She
states the date for this year’s reunion has been finalized as July 19, 2008 in
Happy Camp. She also announced that the
Council hopes to have a Special Election that day for Constitution revisions
and that community meetings will be held in all three sites to go over the
proposed changes during March.
She states she has no action
items for open session but does have a couple of items to review with them in
closed session.
Florrine Super moved and
21) Requests
None at this time.
22) Phone Votes
a)
Request for
approval of Resolution 08-R-016 authorizing submission to the NPS for cultural
resource inventory. Passed.
b)
Request for
approval for financial assistance in the amount of $300 from discretionary for
family to travel with full blooded tribal member for hospital transport. Passed.
c)
Request for
approval for Resolution 08-R-015 authorizing submission of a proposal to DOJ in
the amount of $148,821.10. Passed.
d)
Request for
approval to purchase a basket cap in the amount of $1,200 from discretionary;
the cap will belong to the Tribe and be store in the People’s Center. Passed.
23) Informational
None at this time.
24) Committee Reports
The NCIDC minutes were
included in the packets for information.
Closed Session from 8:39 PM to 12:14 AM
Robert Goodwin moved and
Roy Arwood seconded to approve Resolution 08-R-021 removing one member. 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
Robert Goodwin moved and
Roy Arwood seconded to uphold the CHS denial on CHS Case #188 in the amount of
$1,753.20. 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0
pupitihara.
Roy Arwood moved and Florrine
Super seconded to approve payment for CHS Case #176 in the amount of $296 and
suspend loan payments for up to six months for Employee #1647. 7 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.
Request from Tribal Member
#390 denied due to lack of a motion.
Request from Tribal Member
#3143 tabled pending follow up requested by Tribal Council.
Roy Arwood moved and
Florrine Super seconded to approve $686.81 loan to Tribal Member #3075 with
payments of $25 per pay period until tax return is received and payment can be
made in full. 4 haa, 2 puuhara (Robert
Goodwin and Leeon Hillman), 1 pupitihara (
Consensus: No further action will be taken on planning a
Council Retreat at this time; when a draft outline is prepared for discussion
so that they can evaluation what direction they want to take this project, they
will discuss it again.
Directive: For Employee #1051 to participate in a
conference call on March 3, 2008 to advocate the Karuk Tribe’s position regarding
the BIA Regional Director position.
Consensus: Employee #1051 will come back to them with a
plan and detailed request regarding obtaining their attorney’s license for
further discussion and a decision.
Robert Goodwin moved and
Consensus: To deny assistance on the real estate case
presented by Barbara Norman; Tribal Member needs to be referred to a local real
estate attorney.
Consensus: Barbara Norman will advise parent of their
legal rights in the medical malpractice case but not represent or provide them
other assistance.
Consensus: They will sponsor the June Legal Meeting in
Florrine Super moved and
Consensus: To decline to approve procurement to purchase
tool package from West Coast Equipment.
Directive: Dion Wood needs
to be at the KCDC Planning Meeting on March 18, 2008.
Robert Goodwin moved and
Leeon Hillman seconded to approve up to $300 plus mileage for Florrine to work
in Happy Camp on projects. 6 haa, 0
puuhara, 1 pupitihara (Florrine Super).
Robert Goodwin moved and
Leeon Hillman seconded to approve travel to Washington, DC for Alvis Johnson March
12-15, 2008 for KTOC business. He will
already be there Monday and Tuesday for Housing business so travel will be
coordinated with them. 6 haa, 0 puuhara,
1 pupitihara (Alvis Johnson).
Date for Next Meeting:
March 27, 2008 at 3 PM in
Happy Camp.
Meeting adjourned at 12:15 AM.
____________________________________
Leaf Hillman, Vice Chairman
Recording Secretary, Sara Spence