Ground work

Before we get started, lets get one thing clear from the outset. This identification of "issues" is not personal. There is practically nobody in the Bureau of Indian Affairs Offices whom I do not have good feelings for, on a personal level. There is at least one person in the Office of Special Trustee Office with whom I feel I will never have good feelings for, but he's not Tribal so I think the problem is that the whole Native protection concept goes right over his head.

When I identify "issues" (some of you call them problems, screw ups, fluster clucks, etc), it is just that. I am identifying some thing, some action, lack of action, mistake, that could be done differently, better, quicker, or slower. I identify the issue and I will try not to blame anybody for the issue. I will clarify that by saying if it was my best friend doing the same thing in that position, it is the issue I am identifying. So don't think if your'e a BIA employee in any of these positions that I am slamming you. If you got replaced next week, and the FNG did the same thing you did, I would still be identifying the issue that is happening. It's not because of you, it's because the issue will affect us that I will identify issues.

There is no danger in trying to do something better. There is no shame in mistakes. There may be guilt, or responsibility assessed. Because like I've said before, guilt is feeling badly for having done something wrong. SHAME is feeling bad about who you are.

No shame, no foul, and hopefully no harm comes from looking at land "issues" objectively and asking all of ourselves,

"How can we do it better?"