Reflecting on my first term on Tribal Council, I decided to capture the top 10 lessons I’ve learned in this role. It has often felt like being back in school, studying twenty new subjects at once! The depth and breadth of the work and the amount of detail and information we go through is incredible.
1. You Really Are a Public Servant
As a Tribal Council member, you suddenly find yourself with 5,700 bosses, and by that I mean our general membership. If you’re used to having one supervisor, the shift to having thousands can be overwhelming. While many people who approach me are familiar faces who have supported me in the past, others seek to discuss issues, especially after controversial decisions. They offer insights I might not have considered, and their reactions vary. Some are upset, some are supportive, and others just want to know me better. Unlike elected officials at other levels, like Senators and Congress people, our members have direct access to us, and that connection is deeply valued. This isn't a job where you can ever be "off the clock." I remember Chris Mercier mentioning work/life balance when I first started, and while it was challenging initially, I’ve grown to cherish these interactions. I genuinely love this job.
2. If you haven’t ruffled some feathers, you haven’t made tough decisions
This might be controversial, but it is a reality. No matter which way you vote, even if you honestly and truly believe the decision is in the tribe's best interest, somebody will think it was wrong. My litmus test is asking myself, “Can I stand on my own two feet and defend this decision publicly?” That usually does the trick. The really important decisions will have their champions and critics, and people will let you know where they stand and want to know where you stand. Some examples that come to mind are the '99 amendment, The Blue Heron/Tumwata Village (“What a great opportunity” vs. “What a waste of money”), Housing (“Build more Market Rate” vs. “We need more HUD Housing” or “Build more in Grand Ronde” vs. “Build more outside of Grand Ronde”). But here’s the deal: Everything is relative. Rarely is one side going to be 100% right or wrong; it’s a matter of perspective. That’s why it’s important not to take offense and to be a good listener. We’ve made tough decisions, and you have to use your moral compass and sense of what is best for people. Be prepared to defend it and often be prepared to defend it on your own.
3. A lot of decisions will be personal, no matter what you do
This is where I get real. It bothers me when people say, "Don't take it personally" or "Get thicker skin." I see it differently. I believe we should take this work and our decisions VERY personally. We’re a small tribe, and this tribe, our homelands, and the tribal members are deeply personal. If it’s not personal to the decision-maker, I guarantee you, it’s personal to someone else. Whether it's a housing issue, an employment issue, an enrollment issue, not having time to submit a lifestyle grant, or receiving notice on a small loan—it affects people in ways many of us have never experienced. Because of that, it’s inevitable that our decisions will be personal. That said, we must take care of our mental health, and learning to let things roll off our backs is essential for survival. This shouldn't be confused with "getting thicker skin."
4. The Importance of Spirituality and Culture
I was born and raised in Grand Ronde, but the truth is we lost so much, and it saddens me to think about all the wisdom and knowledge our ancestors had that I didn’t have the opportunity to learn, like our language. I’m taking Chinuk Wawa classes now, which has been wonderful, but it’s a significant reminder of what we’ve lost. I’ve been told my Grandma and Great Aunties were prayer warriors, and it’s bittersweet thinking about not knowing them but also feeling that I take after them. I love the saying that we’re the manifestation of our ancestors' prayers. I LOVE knowing that they prayed for us. I pray for our tribe and people every morning. Preserving and passing down these traditions is so important. As tribal leaders, it’s our job to understand and respect the traditions, values, and beliefs of our ancestors and elders, and to honor them in everything we do.
5. Lifelong Advocacy for Tribal Sovereignty
Tribal sovereignty is a fundamental principle that guides our decision-making as tribal leaders. Understanding and advocating for it is crucial in protecting our rights and ensuring that our tribal government can govern our community according to our own laws and traditions. It is a FULL-time job. It always surprises me when people ask if being on the council is a full-time job! I smile and assure them that it most certainly is, and then some. Protecting our sovereignty will be a lifelong responsibility for our tribal leaders, both for this generation and the next seven.
6. Half the battle is won just by showing up
As tribal leaders, we serve as advocates and representatives for our community on various boards and forums, both locally and nationally. This role is outlined in our Tribal Council Ordinance, which expects us to serve in this capacity. Establishing and building relationships with key partners is crucial for effectively communicating our community's needs, priorities, and challenges to government agencies, tribal neighbors, and other stakeholders. But to do this, we have to show up. Most of these conversations don’t happen in our tribal offices. The challenge arises when members voice concerns about Council members traveling too much or being out of the office, which can be seen as “not working.” It’s a balance that each council member must consider. “Back in the day,” when I traveled for work in Indian Child Welfare, we would have a set number of days to write a report on our travel and accomplishments. It was a reasonable request and expectation; nobody argued with it. Even now, I wouldn’t mind if the Tribal Council were asked to write reports and share them at an LAC meeting or regular council meeting after work trips. That said, I’m one of nine Council members, and not everyone may agree.
7. The need to commit to lifelong learning
I started this post by saying being on the Tribal Council felt like going back to school. I’ve learned that being a Tribal Council member requires ongoing learning and professional development to stay informed about best practices, policies in tribal governance, and what’s happening in Indian Country. We lost so much during termination, which wasn’t passed down to the next generation. I’m constantly learning more about our history by showing up, listening, and researching. I often told my kids that while times of comfort are enjoyable, they're not necessarily times of growth. We grow when we’re out of our comfort zone, stretched in ways that require our brains to adapt and adjust. Some friends think I ENJOY public speaking, but I’ve just learned how to make it work for me—enjoying it is a different matter.
8. There’s only so much you can control, and that’s not a lot
There’s a myth, or perhaps a misunderstanding, that the Tribal Council knows everything and has a hand in all aspects of governance. Even I may have believed this to some extent at one point. But nothing could be further from the truth. With over twenty departments and nearly 800 employees, there’s simply too much happening for the Council to manage day-to-day operations. That’s why we have a Chief of Staff and a General Manager. However, this doesn’t stop us from asking questions, advocating for tribal members, and encouraging members to bring their voices to the Council. That’s our role, but when it comes to control, that’s not how it works. We have well-designed systems and processes for legislative action and adopting resolutions, which, as a systems person, I really appreciate. What we can control is ourselves—our mindset, our thoughts, our actions, and ultimately, our character. As the saying goes, it’s true.
9. Keep it simple
I’ve learned that everyone has their own way of doing things. My way isn’t necessarily the right way, and as one of nine Council members, we’re all equal. We’re each passionate about different issues, but at the end of the day, we’re all working towards the same goal: the well-being of our tribal communities and families. We advocate for our beliefs, present our arguments, listen to the pros and cons, make decisions, and then come back the next day to do it all over again. It’s okay to go out on a limb or to have a different viewpoint. It’s even okay to say, "I don’t see it that way." It’s crucial to give people the opportunity to be heard and to seek to understand before being understood.
10. Life is short, enjoy the journey
Life is short; we should cherish every moment. Last week, I went upstairs in our governance building and looked at the photos of all the past Council members since Restoration. If you haven’t done that, I highly encourage it. Seeing those familiar faces and realizing how many have walked on to the spirit world was poignant—it was almost half. We must remember to appreciate every moment and the people in our lives. Next February, I’ll become a baby Elder, and I’m so grateful for that. Yet, I’m also acutely aware of how quickly life passes. I feel like I’m halfway through this journey, and there’s still so much I want to do—become a fluent Chinuk Wawa speaker, learn to play the piano, have a piece of land with horses where my grandkids will never want to leave, and so much more. We’re a blessed people, and I’m deeply thankful for our ancestors who, I’m sure, contemplated these same things while also taking time to enjoy life. That’s what I’ve learned.