As an enrolled Orutsararmiut Traditional Native Council-OTNC tribal member with no voice, this is very concerning, considering we have no idea what 19 proposed amendment changes are being voted on. Here is the letter I emailed them, and I encourage you to also email them if you are an enrolled out-of-town member. I emailed Brian Henry at
[email protected] and also Walter Jim at
[email protected] Dear OTNC Tribal Office, I am an enrolled member of ONC. I have been a proud tribal member for 38 years, and my two dependent children are also enrolled members. Despite residing outside my home community, my family and I are counted when ONC seeks federal funding. However, it has become increasingly apparent that as an out-of-town tribal member, I lack representation and the right to vote in matters that directly affect my family, my community, and myself. This is deeply concerning. I am writing to demand immediate transparency and inclusion in the upcoming constitutional amendments process. Specifically, I request that the 19 proposed amendments, along with the red-lined version of the constitutional changes, be made publicly accessible on the ONC Facebook page. This ensures that all tribal members, including those living out of town, can see and understand what is being voted on. It is unacceptable that out-of-town members, who contribute to ONC's federal funding counts, are excluded from having a voice in decisions that shape our governance and future. Furthermore, if out-of-town members are denied voting rights, I urge the establishment of an at-large seat on the Tribal Council to represent our interests and ensure our voices are heard. This step is essential to uphold the values of inclusivity and equity that should be foundational to our tribal governance. I urge ONC leadership to act with integrity and prioritize the principles of fairness and transparency. Please honor your responsibility to all tribal members by making these proposed amendments readily available and addressing the exclusion of out-of-town members from meaningful participation. I look forward to your prompt response and action on this matter.
#sewyupik #yupik #fyp #nativetiktok #tribal #indigenous #vote #sharingiscaring #alaska #onc