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March 23, 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 8:10 a.m. and asked the attendees to introduce themselves. The following sections summarize the Committee proceedings by topic. Please refer to Appendix 2 to review the Committee Meeting Agenda.
Representative Goggles moved to accept the January 2006 minutes. Senator Vasey seconded the motion and the motion passed.
Kassel Weeks, with the Eastern Shoshone Business Council welcomed the Committee and expressed his appreciation for the opportunity for the Tribes to meet with the Committee. Mr. Weeks gave a brief summary of the Native American Business Expo held March 22, 2006 in Fort Washakie. He complimented Edward Wadda and Allison Sage on the good job they are doing in informing the Tribes on the issues in Wyoming. Mr. Weeks explained the contents of a disk regarding "Our Water Our Future" [Appendix 3] and provided updates on gambling, mineral developments and water storage and delivery issues [Appendix 4].
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, including the youth center and meetings regarding cloud seeding [Appendices 5 and 6], Homeland Security, environmental quality, telecommunications and health care.
Jim Conrad, CEO Wind River Casino and Melanie Gambler, Chair of the Northern Arapaho Gaming Agency gave an update on the Wind River Casino and their training in preparation of implementing Class III gaming. They are getting close on securing financing for the new facilities and have been working with the Fremont County Commissioners regarding safety issues.
Mr. Weeks provided an update of the Shoshone casino plans and the progress on a compact. They are still working on a potential location for the casino.
Doug Thompson, Fremont County Commissioner provided information on meetings concerning safety and mitigation of impacts from the casino.
Mike Besson, Director of the Wyoming Water Development Office, Mitch Cottenoir, Wind River Water Resources Control Board and new member of the Wyoming Water Development Commission, Sandra C'Bearing Wind River Water Resources Control Board, Bill Russell, Tribal Water Engineer, Scott Ratliff, with Senator Enzi's office and Kassel Weeks presented an update on water projects, administration and operations.
Scott Harnsberger, Fremont County Treasurer explained how the county treasurer collects funds and distributes the funds to the districts.
Mike Ceballos, Qwest, presented an overview of services provided on the reservation and in the schools, the work being done on the tribal lifeline service and cell phone coverage.
Louis Headley, Superintendent of Saint Stephens Indian School and Judith Lorenz, Business Manager at Saint Stephens Indian School updated the Committee regarding funding issues, their meeting March 22, 2006 with Dr. McBride and the pending construction of a new middle school and a new high school from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) [Appendix 7]. The BIA has backed out of construction of a new K-5 school. Mr. Headley discussed their certificates and accreditation.
Senator Vasey moved to write a letter signed by the chairmen in support of Saint Stephens School to the BIA in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Representative Goggles seconded the motion and the motion passed.
Senator Case moved to write a letter to Dr. McBride in support of the legislative study and an offer to work with the Department of Education in any capacity as needed. The motion was seconded by Representative McOmie and passed.
The Committee discussed several types of schools, including independent and charter schools, and discussed the funding allocated for this coming year.
Daniel Cardenas spoke in favor of keeping the school separate from the Arapaho district.
Scott Harnsberger, Fremont County Treasurer explained his experiences regarding the number of districts in Fremont County.
Doug Thompson discussed issues relating to consolidation of districts.
Michelle Hoffman, Superintendent of the Wyoming Indian School discussed educational issues facing the school, updated the Committee on communications she has received since the January 2006 meeting and invited the Committee to the demonstration and feast on April 26, 2006 at 6 p.m.
Cathy Keene of the Indian Health Services and Betty Sones, Multicultural Health Program Manager, Wyoming Department of Health, provided an update on the status of the Community Health Center and the progress on the articles of incorporation and other start up issues. Ms. Sones informed the Committee that the Department of Health has changed the minority health program to the multicultural health program [Appendices 8, 9 and 10].
Linda Lang and Daniel Cardenas, American Cancer Society, provided information on pain management and related issues on the reservation [Appendices 11 and 12]. Ms. Sones explained the need to address cultural linguistics issues and provided information from the department of Health on the Wyoming Cancer Control Plan and other information on pain management.
Doug Thompson discussed potential results of SJ02, dealing with issue of Tribal citizens also being county citizens, how to get state funding, provide accountability and address sovereignty issues.
Scott Harnsberger provided information on the formation of irrigation districts.
There being no further business, Chairman Peck adjourned the meeting at 4:15.
Respectfully submitted,
Senator Robert A. Peck, Chairman