The problem that faces tribes is the degree to which tribal government is undermined by infighting. Although problems with administration and dependence can be remedied, infighting is extremely destructive and is a difficult problem to resolve.

Infighting divides tribal governments, thereby further feeding government dysfunction. Divided and dysfunctional tribal government are weak governments that are unable to effectively serve and protect their membership and sovereignty.

Significant infighting exists with the Ute Tribe. A large divide has been created in part, this discourse has resulted in a recall for the Business Committee Chairman. The Tribe has been involved in expensive litigation.

A good port can be attributed to poor communication between the government and its membership. For any government to be effective, the membership must understand and support what is happening. From a observation it is clear that this simply has not been the case.

From speaking with many people on the reservation, it is clear that the Business Committee, presently and in the past, has failed to share important information with the membership.

Past and present Business Committee have failed to understand that distrust is created by not providing open and frank communications with the membership. Also, the Business Committee fails to understand that the mere perception that something fishy is going on severely hampers its ability to effectively, efficiently, and successfully serve the membership. The number of recalls highlights this problem.

This is but one example of the government's poor communication with the membership that has helped fuel and perpetuated tribal infighting. The Tribe's leadership must understand that by properly and frequently communicating with the membership, good ideas,plans and decisions will be sustained, while bad ideas can be ferreted out. Frequent interaction with the membership helps create an environment free from strife that with this tribe may result in far fewer complaints and recalls.

So in the next quarterly meeting lets keep this in mind....

thank you

kenneth k. santio