PRESS
RELEASE
POC:
CRST Public Relations
Rock
LeBeau
(605)964-8308
For
immediate release May 16, 2005
Chairman
Frazier Encourages Students to be Familiar
With Tribal Laws and Ordinances
Chairman Frazier visited the CEB Junior High
Government class on Friday April 29, 2005. He began
by explaining how our Tribal Government operates.
He explained how the communities are split into
districts and the Councilmen who live and represent
the people in their district. Chairman Frazier
described the Tribal election process and informed
them about the number of Tribal committees that
are in existence and which Members of the Tribal
Government served on the committees. He told the
students about The Tribal Council goals for improvement
and how they works together to resolve issues that
effect the Reservation.
The students had a chance to ask the Chairman
questions about many government concerns. One of
the popular questions was, “What do you think
about the dress code that is being addressed?” The
Chairman replied by explaining that a dress code
would not solve the gang problems. He explained
the Zero Tolerance law and told the students that
he supported it and will continue to support it.
There are laws in place for the people to follow
for our safety. If laws are violated there are
consequences. Chairman reminded them that we are
all the same and we should respect and honor one
another. The students expressed their thoughts
on what should be done for consequences other then
a dress code. First one student said the teachers
should always stand in the hallways and be around
in between class changes because of fights. The
principle should make himself available as well
to have an authority figure around to prevent fights
or confrontations. Some kids don’t feel protected
at school because if someone walks up to you and
hits you, both parties will be suspended. The school
board wants to find a solution but the solution
is to enforce the rules and have more authority
figures available and seen throughout the school
day.
Chairman Frazier also discussed the State of
the Tribe Address and allowed the students to see
the issues and listen to the state that the Tribe
is in and much discussion happened. He explained
the structure of the Departments and how he wants
to have an office in each community to assist in
the basic needs of the people. Early in his campaign,
the people expressed the desire to decentralize
and the Tribal Administration is moving in that
direction.
The students asked the Chairman what his opinion
was on the Tribe if it was getting better or worse.
Chairman said there is an unbelievable rise in
gang activity, crime and drugs. He advised the
students to become more active in sports and keep
busy because they will set examples for their peers.
He felt that there were not enough activities for
students which lead to crime. Poverty is another
reason for crime and so he explained what Tribal
Ventures was working toward to decrease poverty.
He told the students that, “Tomorrow is a
better day.”
The students geared their questions toward youth
activities. The students expressed ideas that they
would like to see, such as; Youth Diabetes have
more camps throughout the year as well the summer.
The students would like to participate in football,
swimming, cheerleading, dancing, basketball, softball
and baseball. They suggested incentives for participating
in these camps as in string back packs, tee shirts
and recognition in the newspapers. Chairman Frazier
said, “The kids don’t ask for much,
just to have people work with them, listen to them
and encourage them and all of us must do this.”
Lynn Burnette, Cheyenne River Youth Coordinator
for the Tribe, was also present to discuss the
progress he is making with activities. The first
thing his position requires is a budget. He used
the off season to write grants to receive money
to fund these activities. Burnette was successful
and now has the funding to purchase, baseball gloves,
helmets, bats, balls and numerous other equipment
needed to play. Burnette also has many parents
who are willing to volunteer their time to work
with the youth in assisting him. Burnette told
the students, “I am excited to start working
and get the little league together, Native American’s
have so much talent that I want to help develop
at a young age.” The summer little league
teams will work on basic fundamentals, drills,
rules and regulations and most of all playing.
Burnette also plays in the Men’s League for
the Lakota Thrifty Mart Falcons.
Chairman gave many words of encouragement to
the students regarding the importance of education.
He told the students to work hard and stay focused
and set goals for themselves. He encouraged them
to learn as much as they could about government
and business. Also noting to further their education
and to come back and help the people. There is
nothing more genuine then an educated Native American
especially from Cheyenne River.
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