Western Cherokee Council meeting
February 8, 2003
Popular Bluff, Missouri
Present:
Chief Jerry Summers
Deputy Chief John Watson
Council - James Quite Bear Ellis
Council - Kelly Bernal
Council - Janet Smith
Council - Tim Spencer
Proxy - Eric Smith for Councilmen Tim Sanders
Proxy - Laurie Spencer for Councilmen Curtis Sumner
Elder - Elmo Foster
Elder - Bea Foster
Elder - Milton Woods
Elder - David Summers
1. Call to order (Confirm Quorum) at 10:35 a.m.
2. Opening Prayer -- Elder Bea Foster
3. Reading of minutes from last meeting - Janet Smith motions to accept
the minutes from last meeting Eric seconds, all approve.
4. Old Business a. Financial report - Laurie Spencer gives financial report and
mentioned donations. There was two donations 1) Candace & Jack Whinery, 2) Cecil
& his wife, owner of C&S Video in Salem. Laurie also mentions that the Financial
Report is given at the meetings but it is not posted on the web site; however,
if anyone would like one they need only to let her know and she'll make sure
they get one, either by e-mail or snail mail. No discussion - Quiet Bear motions
to accept financial report.
b. Report by Enrollment Committee - Janet Smith reports that
enrollments have been slow due to the holidays and weather. Quiet Bear asked
about some members new cards; Janet states the members need to ask for a new
card. Janet states that if there is any questions please call or e-mail her
and she will be glad to assist- some discussion from council on member's cards
reissuing. Janet request that those wishing to send something in to the enrollment
committee to please send it to the correct mailing address instead of handing
it to someone, this may help end the confusion.
c. Report by Election Board - Eric Smith states he has not heard
from the council on what they want him to do in this regard. After some discussion
and agreement that the Western Cherokee elections should proceed, Eric Smith
goes over the time line for the election. Bottom line being all Ballots must
be in and postmarked by September 30, 2003. Quite Bear asked about how we are
getting the information out to the people. Eric Smith states that it has been
handed out at community meetings like the on in OK and in Potosi. Janet Smith
asks if it would be appropriate to put it out over the WC voice on the web site.
Deputy Chief Watson agrees to put the information on the nation's web site.
Quiet Bear mentions the availability of advertising it in the newspapers. Eric
Smith asked if the other seven seats are still up for election. Council reaffirms
that they are.
Tim Spencer mentions completing the work on the Constitution so it can go
on the ballot as well the Elder Board. Elder Elmo Foster asks if the Elders
would be on the ballot as well. Council says no as the Elders are appointed
not elected.
Chief Jerry Summers breaks for Lunch @ 11:29.
Chief Jerry Summers call the meeting back to order @ 1:00 Chief Jerry Summers recognizes our newest member Jeremy
Thebeau.
5. New Business a. Consideration of new Council members - No new applications.
Chief Jerry Summers informs the Council that two of the applicants who applied
late last year are still interested.
b. Discussion of recognition of members and increasing community involvement
- Chief Jerry Summer's awards the first Western Cherokee Eagles Nest
to Candace Whinery. Deputy Chief John Watson shows council the award called
the Western Cherokee Eagles Nest Award. This award is given to the member or
members that have shown there support for our people and their efforts to keep
our people informed about what is going on, but it is also for helping our people
know who they are and their ancestors' ways by educating them.
c. Planning for June gathering and Council meeting - Eric Smith
talks about the June gathering and would like to have crafters at the gathering
to start teaching the crafts of our ancestors to all that want to learn. He
relayed a statement from his mother-in-law that if we do not start teaching,
our crafts, and ways to our people then our ways will be forgotten forever.
Eric says he would like all those interested in helping with the crafts to contact
him. A list of all those interested in doing and teaching crafts is being compiled
so we will not have all the same designs. Kim Thebeau mentions getting members
to send in their names and the type of craft that they do. Deputy Chief John
Watson asks volunteers to help Eric with setting all this up. Kim Thebeau offers
that she will mention it at the M.O.S.E.S. meeting on Monday night gathering
we had. Quite Bear offers that if Eric will put together something on the gathering
then he would help in getting the word out. Kelly Bernal offers to help as well.
Eric says he would like to see us do this type of gathering on a regular basis.
Deputy Chief John Watson mentions maybe having some stick ball games too. Kim
Thebeau suggest if not actually playing the game maybe teaching the history
and doing a demo on it. Eric says he would also like to do a living village.
Food is discussed and Quite Bear offers to donate a hog for the gathering. Quite
Bear also says we might be able to charge so much for a plate or ask for donations
to help the tribe make a little money. Deputy Chief John Watson states that
it should also be advertised that there is to be NO Alcohol and NO Drugs at
the gatherings. Kelly Bernal motions to have a benefit dinner for the tribe,
Tim Spencer seconds. Chief Jerry Summer's ask if there is any discussion on
the matter. Eric said he would still have to check with SEMO campgrounds about
their regulations on cooking outdoors. Chief Jerry Summer's calls for a vote.
Motion passes with Laurie Spencer, proxy for Curtis Sumner, abstaining due to
lack of direction from Curtis Sumner.
Tim Spencer asks if we can go back to 5. a) Asking member Kim Thebeau if
she was still willing to be on council - she states she does not feel she is
ready yet.
d. Other New Business - Chief Jerry Summers mentions having a
Public Notary - Deputy Chief John Watson says that this issue should be for
the Corporate Board - Quite Bear asks to table it until the Cooperate Board
meeting. Issue tabled for Corporate Board meeting.
Quite Bear mentions that he was appointed to the FEMA board in Dent County
as an individual and not a council member. He goes over the different kinds
of things they do to help people. He asks permission to talk to the president
of FEMA in Missouri to help some of our people. He says that he and Chief Jerry
Summers can fill out the forms for each county to help our people. Elder Milton
Woods and Kim Thebeau ask for information that they can present to the M.O.S.E.S.
group. Quite Bear motions to ask for permission speak with the president of
FEMA along with Chief Jerry Summers and Deputy Chief John Watson. Chief Jerry
Summers calls for any discussion - Deputy Chief John Watson states that this
is an issue for the Corporate Board - Tim Spencer, Janet Smith, and Eric Smith
agree, Laurie Spencer abstaining for Curtis Sumner. Issue tabled for the corporate
meeting.
Kim Thebeau reads an article from April 28, 2003 St. Louis Dispatch about
two men digging up artifacts and remains in Native American burial grounds.
Both men mentioned in the article pled guilty. Kim Thebeau says that her husband
Jeremy has tried to find out what happened to the remains of our ancestors and
the artifacts by contacting all those involved. Deputy Chief John Watson agrees
that Council should give Jeremy and Kim Thebeau the authority to act as representatives
for the tribe - Jeremy ask if he could get a letter from the council to help
him and also to show that he has authority to act on behalf of the tribe in
this matter. Elder Milton Woods offers his assistance to Jeremy with anything
that he needs. Quite Bear motions to put a department together to handle issues
like this. Tim Spencer seconds - Kim Thebeau mentions that this kind of thing
is popping up all over now.
Kelly Bernal motions to call the department the Historical & Cultural Preservation,
Restoration & Repatriation, and that Jeremy Thebeau be put in charge of it.
Chief Jerry Summers calls for a roll vote; motion passes, with Laurie Spencer,
proxy for Curtis Sumner, abstaining and Eric Smith, proxy for Tim Sanders, abstaining.
Chief Jerry Summers asks Jeremy Thebeau is he would accept the position - Jeremy
agrees. It is further agreed that can do what he needs to do in an emergency
situation.
6. Elders Comments - Elder Elmo Foster ask for Kim & Jeremy's
number.
7. Comment by Council Members - None
8. Comments by membership and local group reports - Kim Thebeau
mentions having a meeting in Farmington maybe in August. Chief Jerry Summers
mention that the next council meeting is in Pocahontas, AR. @ 10:30am on April
5th, the place is still to be determined. Kelly Bernal motions to close council
meeting & open the cooperate board meeting. Quite Bear seconds. All agree.
Closing Prayer - Chief Jerry Summers Council Meeting Adjourns @ 2:30
Western Cherokee Corporate Board Meeting
February 8, 2003
Popular Bluff, Missouri
Chief Jerry Summers
Deputy Chief John Watson
Councilman Tim Spencer
Councilman James Ellis
Councilwoman Janet Smith
Councilwoman Kelly Bernal
Councilman Curtis Sumner proxy Laurie Spencer Tribal Sec./Treasurer
Not Present/proxy for Councilman Tim Sanders
Meeting called to order @ 2:40p.m.
Open Agenda:
James Ellis mentions that he has been doing some research for grants; how to
get them, what to do to get them. He says we will need a grant writer. He says
that this is for a Federal Grant and asks if we know what kind of grants we
want to apply for. James Ellis will put together a package so we look it over
then vote on it at the next meeting what we want to do. Kelly Bernal motions
to let him put it together (package of grants information) and we will vote
on it at the next meeting. Laurie Spencer proxy for Curtis Sumner seconds. 7
yes, 1 abstains.
James Ellis asks to be able to represent the Indigenous People or negotiate
for us with FEMA. He sits on the board in Dent County, Missouri & he says it
would be a service to the people. Chief Jerry Summers asks how many counties
with our people in them would we be able to help. James Ellis says as many as
we possibly can. James Ellis asked if he could inter into agreement or negotiation
with FEMA to organize some of the funds that could help our people. 7 yes, 1
abstains.
Deputy Chief John Watson asks the board about opening a Paypal account and a
credit card for the Corporation. This account would let the Tribe accept donations
over the Internet. 7 yes, 1 abstains.
Janet Smith motions that all charges on the Corporations credit card have to
be approved on all charges. Deputy Chief John Watson says YES, Kelly Bernal
seconds and everyone else agrees except for 1 abstains.
Deputy Chief John Watson motions us to get an office for the Corporation
once we have the funds to do so.
Chief Jerry Summers talks about the tribe having a couple of Notary Publics
and he says that he has talk to Nancy Summers and Laurie Spencer and they both
said that they would do it if the board agrees. Kelly Bernal motions to let
Nancy Summers & Laurie Spencer to be the Notary Publics for the tribe for the
tribe to pay for it. 7 yes, 1 abstains.
Jim gives closing prayer.
Corporate Meeting adjourns @ 3:07
COURT RULES IN FAVOR
OF SUMMERS, WATSON & WESTERN CHEROKEE 3 TIMES
As of this date the defendants and their associates have
not surrendered Western Cherokee Property as
stipulated in two court orders and supported in the Stipulation and Order.
What are the fundamental differences
between the thinking of the
Plaintiffs Jerry Summers, John Watson and the
Western Cherokee a Missouri Non-Profit and the
Defendants, Unincorporated Association claim and
filing with the court.
See the legal differences between being a
Organized Group Vs. Unincorporated Association.
Proof is in their filing with the court
Click Here to read
PDF file.
A court order did
state that Chief Jerry Summers and Vice Chief John Watson have been found to be the true
officials of the Western Cherokee. This should clearly show the
defendants
and associates were wrong in their take over attempt but they continue to
refuse to abide by the Court Order. By a court ordered election which the
defendants controlled they are now legally in control of the Western Cherokee
future. Many people believe this ordered election was due to a filing by
Timothy
Spencer which was a threat of upward of 100 men, women and children would die
defending the property if the judge held his ruling.
