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- Parte de Records of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (Clinton Administration), Lynn Cutler's Files
Extracted text
OCR Page 1 of 37SPIRIT
TOTTEN
LAKE
SPIRIT LAKE TRIBE
MICHAEL
TREATY
1867
ST.
LAXE 000M
PO Box 359
FORT TOTTEN, ND 58335
PHONE 701-766-1226
FAX 701-766-4126
CROW
HILL
TRIBE
May 10, 1999
The Spirit Lake Tribe (Tribe) is concerned with proposed decrease in Tribal Priority
Allocations (TPA) and other government budgets. Diminished Tribal resources cause
further funding problems. Diminished resources include payment on large loans. The
construction of buildings such as casino, recreational center, offices, manufacturing
industries, schools, community college, jail, court houses, community centers, farm, pow
wow arbor, rodeo arena, marina, etc.., and purchase of equipment require securing large
loans. These are directly related to either cultural or commercial activities for the Tribe.
The repayment of large loans with interest usually takes years. The repairs, operation and
maintenance of these structures and equipment are costly.
Diminished resources include decreased rental income of Tribal and Indian owned land
because of a declining cattle and gain market. Diminished resources adversely effect
properly addressing increase fractionated lands, increase Tribal participation in land
purchase especially fee to trust transactions, and individual attempts to consolidate land
holdings. Major environmental concerns including contaminated abandon building, solid
waste management, water quality, and weed infestation are being addressed. The Tribe
also has concerns with the social, health, spiritual, cultural, and emotional well being of
its membership.
The economy and living conditions on the Fort Totten Reservation are poor. The
reservation is remote and isolated from major cities and the cost of living is extremely
high. Wages are low, usually at minimum. Employment opportunities are limited. The
unemployment rate is high. Transportation costs are high. The price of vehicles and
gasoline and the cost of repairs is high. Some people are without transportation.
Most Tribal members reside in rural homes on the reservation creating a much higher
transportation expense because of distance to service areas. The cost of utility service
such as electricity, natural gas, water, sewer, and garbage collection is higher. Insurance
costs are higher. Food cost higher. There is an extreme shortage of housing. People
working on reservation must find housing in nearly larger urban area with higher rental
rates. Some have no place to live. It is not uncommon to find several families living in
the same home. Because of this shortage, it is difficult to attract quality medical
personnel to this reservation.
To stimulate the economy of the reservation, it is imperative that the focus be on the
youth. With increased crime, population, returning tribal members, deteriorating
facilities including schools, flooding, and trust land, more funds are needed to address