It would seem that Majel Russell is no longer with us as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Indian Affairs. Did Majel Russell resign? The Puzzle Palace (federal government) seems to do a fine job of shredding either the principles of the people we keep sending there, or their morals, or just their sense of duty or their morale. I know of good people who have gone there with hopes of "changing things." They quickly find out that isn't what's going to happen. I know of some people who go there with self-driven motivations. I would hope that they don't last long there, but some of them are still there, and flourishing.
So it would seem that Majel Russell's former position is once again open, as well as Carl Artman's position. Round and round we go, and where we stop, nobody really does know. Majel Russell will do well with her background. I would hope that the experience she had in the Bureau of Indian Affairs would be beneficial in some way for all of us, including her. George Skibine recently in Reno gave words about Majel to the effect that she wasn't a "bad person". I agree. It was Majel Russell's actions that gave us reason to pause. Majel Russell is a tribal member, a land owner, and on some issues, the best advocate. Maybe not the best advocate for all, but an advocate indeed. If it was "Benny Two-Hops" who did the same thing, I feel that the same reaction would have come to mind.
I hope that the Department of the Interior chooses someone of high caliber to replace Carl Artman and Majel Russell. They were brave for having stepped up to the plate. We owe them that. Maybe this time around they pick two leaders from large land-based tribes out West, where the issues are still live for us, just as they were back in the day.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
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