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January 31, 2006
The Inn at Lander, Best Western
Lander, Wyoming
Senator Robert Peck, Chairman
Representative Del McOmie, Vice-Chairman
Senator Cale Case
Senator Bill Vasey
Representative Patrick Goggles
Representative Frank Philp
Maxine Weaver, Staff Attorney
Please refer to
Appendix 1 to review the Committee Sign-in Sheet
for a list of other individuals who attended the meeting.
Chairman Peck called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. The following sections summarize the Committee proceedings by topic. Please refer to Appendix 2 to review the Committee Meeting Agenda.
Senator Vasey moved to accept the October 2005 minutes. Vice-Chairman McOmie seconded the motion and the motion passed.
Jim Conrad, CEO Wind River Casino and Andy Baldwin, attorney for the Northern Arapaho Tribe gave an update on the Wind River Casino and the winner of the car give-away. They are waiting on authorization for Class III gaming.
Ivan Posey, Chairman of the Eastern Shoshone Business Council welcomed the Committee and announced that since the last meeting Edward Wadda has been hired as the Tribal Liaison for the Eastern Shoshone Tribe. They have set up meetings and are working on some issues with the Governor. Mr. Posey discussed the Tribe's status on gaming, education, water, health and energy. Mr. Posey expressed he is committed to working on developing short term and long term policies between the Tribes and the State.
Norman Willow, with the Northern Arapaho Business Council, welcomed the Committee and expressed several concerns of the Council has regarding balancing budgets, restructuring Tribal government, finding program funding, starting an education pool on reservation, trying to integrate tribal culture into the schools and bringing the Arapaho language back. Mr. Willow also discussed mineral development, water needs and gaming.
Edward Wadda, Tribal Liaison for the Eastern Shoshone Tribe and Allison Sage, Tribal Liaison for the Northern Arapaho Tribe, updated the Committee on their activities since accepting their positions in the Governor's office [Appendices 3 and 4]. They want to develop short term goals as well as long term goals and policies. They each split their time between Cheyenne and the reservation. Mr. Wadda and Mr. Sage expressed gratitude for Mr. Posey breaking ground for the Tribal Liaison positions, but stated they have a lot to learn. They are meeting with lots of the state agencies and departments and are dealing with a multitude of issues. They further stated they felt a State/Tribal summit would be very beneficial.
Mike Besson, Director of the Wyoming Water Development Office, Lee Arrington, Midvale Manager and member of the Wyoming Water Development Commission, Scott Ratliff, with Senator Enzi's office and also on the Wind River Water Resources Control Board and Sandra C'Bearing, Northern Arapaho Chair of the Wind River Water Resources Control Board presented an update on water projects.
Mr. Besson presented an executive summary on the Ray Lake Enlargement [Appendix 5]. He has been working with the business councils for both Tribes on water projects and there is an increase in project costs due to the increase in cost of materials. In evaluating projects, they consider the basin’s hydrology, environmental impacts of the proposed project, any affected water rights, permitting and who will be responsible for maintenance upon completion of the project.
Mr. Ratliff explained some of the federal funding issues and maintenance issues with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. They have hired a new engineer, Bill Russell.
Mr. Arrington discussed Midvale’s approach over the last several years, their water system, management, water table and other issues. He agreed there is a need to look at long term policy issues and that they need to address foundational issues before they can go forward to other issues between the Tribes and the State.
Ms. C’Bearing provided comments on the Ray Lake enlargement and agreed there is a need to address policies first between the Tribes and the State.
Chairman Peck welcomed the Wyoming Government class from Wyoming Indian High School.
Michelle Hoffman, Superintendent of the Wyoming Indian School discussed educational issues facing the school and explained a need for courses for educators on the reservation and in Wyoming to deal with history and cultural awareness.
Mr. Wadda explained some of the background in the University of Wyoming teacher preparation program and suggested a need to establish policies for teacher preparation.
Mr. Ratliff and Mr. Sage expressed a need for state and communities to address local history and culture.
Ms. C’Bearing explained an incident with her son playing basketball for Chadron in a game at the University of Wyoming and how she was treated in getting her ticket and in being seated behind the Chadron bench.
Burdette Seminole, Chris Chavez, Valeria Arkinson, Caroline Mills, Central Wyoming College Trustee, Kassel Weeks, Gary Collins, Jamie-Loran Chippewa and Ron Juneau expressed their concerns about various issues relating to communications, prejudices and education.
Fred Hansen, Wyoming Department of Education updated the Committee regarding the Department's efforts on Indian Awareness.
Edward Wadda and Allison Sage discussed the status of the Community Health Center. They have been working with Cathy Keene of the Indian Health Services and Betty Sones, Minority Health Program Manager, Wyoming Department of Health, in developing the Multicultural Health Center [Appendices 6, 7 and 8]. Chairman Peck stated a letter for support of the Center had been sent out to both business councils [Appendix 9].
Mr. Ratliff discussed the issue of a job corps center. Wyoming is only one of two states that does not have a job corps center and his hopes that a center could be located in Fremont County. It is currently in the planning stage and he may be asking the Committee for support later.
Senator Case moved to draft a resolution in support of a job corps center in Wyoming and support setting it near the Wind River Reservation. Vice-Chairman McOmie seconded the motion and the motion passed.
Valeria Arkinson and Kassel Weeks, Eastern Shoshone Business Council, updated the Committee on mineral activity with the Eastern Shoshone Tribe. They are creating their own energy companies and are dealing with various issues including coal bed methane, environmental, water quality and landfills. They are working with the Department of Environmental Quality on various issues.
Dr. Jo Anne McFarland, President Central Wyoming College (CWC), Caroline Mills, CWC Trustee, Carolyn Aanestad assistant, Helsha Acuna, Native American studies instructor, and Dr. Mohammed Waheed, Dean of Student Services, presented information on the CWC Intertribal Education and Community Center [Appendix 10].
Several students, including Veronica Tsosie, Jerry Loneman, Robert Snyder and Ryan Tyler, discussed attending school at CWC and their support in the Intertribal Education and Community Center.
Gary Collins spoke in favor of the center.
Louis Headley, Superintendent of St. Stephens Indian School, Fred Hansen, Director of Finance, Wyoming Department of Education, Norman Willow with the St. Stephens School Board and Judith Lorenz, Business Manager at St. Stephens Indian School updated the Committee regarding funding issues and stated they are in support of the proposed bill for additional funding. Mr. Hansen further stated it would be good to move the funding from the Department of Education to the Governor’s office. Mr. Hansen presented a handout [Appendix 11] and calculations from LSO [Appendix 12] and Mr. Headley presented funding costs for St Stephens Indian School [Appendix 13].
Senator Vasey moved a do pass on 06LSO-0354.C1 [Appendix 14] as a House bill. The motion was seconded by Representative Philp. Following discussion the Committee passed the bill 6-0 with no amendments.
Chairman Peck said Mr. Hanawalt, the acting director of Morning Star Care Center could not make the meeting, but that the center is studying a possible change of emphasis for the Center. They have a concern as to whether they can survive as a care facility if a new facility is built in Riverton.
Senator Case provided some background on this draft bill, 06LSO-0224.C1 – Funding for tribal entities [Appendix 15] and moved for the Committee to sponsor the bill. Representative Goggles seconded the motion. Following discussion and no amendments, the Committee passed the bill 6-0.
1. Senator Vasey moved for the Committee to sponsor a joint resolution to support the Ray Lake Enlargement. The motion was seconded by Representative Philp and passed.
2. The Committee had a discussion on the Arapaho school, but did not take any action.
Gary Collins spoke in support of allowing the Tribes to participate in programs, and in support of the Tribal liaisons.
Mr. Sage invited everyone to attend the 6th Annual Native American Business Expo, to be held March 22, 2006 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Rocky Mountain Hall, Fort Washakie, Wyoming.
There being no further business, Chairman peck adjourned the meeting at 3:35.
Respectfully submitted,
Senator Robert Peck, Chairman