Grievances
Dear Editor: As we celebrate the Fourth of July we recognize and value the checks and balances of all governmental entities that our founders established. Our founders also created a constructive process for redress of grievances for individuals. Minorities are still playing catch up. The question must be asked, where is the process of redress of grievances for Alaska Natives and American Indians? Where are the checks and balances within Tribal self-government entities?
The Alaska Constitution Article 1 § 3 Civil Rights provides that no person is to be denied the enjoyment of any civil or political right because of race, color, creed, sex, or national origin.
The Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that no state may deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. Apparently our elected representatives do not believe that the Fourteenth Amendment applies to Tribal self-government entities.
As an Alaska Native I have a voice struggling to be heard but the convoluted process available to me smothers my voice and the voices of countless others. Is there a process for redress of grievance in Indian Country (Tribal self-government)? The United States Federal government entities that protect other minorities have told me that there is no process available to me for redress of grievance within the U.S. Federal government.
As citizens of the United States, Alaska Natives and American Indians lack equal protection under the law of their civil rights within Tribal self-government entities. Millions of federal dollars are funded to Tribal self-government entities. There must be a system in place with a clear road map that will ensure equal protection under the law for all citizens.
Betty Jo Moore, Sitka
Kids Fishing Day
Dear Editor: The Sitka Rotary, along with the U.S. Forest Service and Alaska Department of Fish and Game, would like to thank all the participants in the Annual Kids Fishing Day on Swan Lake this year. We had 122 kids register and a record 249 fish caught.
We would also like to thank the following businesses and individuals who made it possible for every child who registered to receive a registration prize as well as our category winners: Aurora Business Supplies, ALPS Federal Credit Union, Ben Franklin, Brenner’s Fine Clothing and Gifts, The Cellar, Russell’s, Silver Bay Seafoods, First National Bank Alaska, First Bank, Wells Fargo, Murray Pacific, Old Harbor Books, Harry Race Pharmacy and Seasons, Sitka True Value, the Hames Corporation, Orion Sporting Goods, Spenard Business Supplies, Stereo North, Sitka Conservation Society, Yellow Jersey Cycle, Quality Painting and Drywall, and John Stein.
And a very special thank you to Ken Bellows for flying in the fish.
Thanks, again, to everyone who donated, participated or just came to watch. Hope to see you next year.
Sharon Bergman for the
Sitka Rotary Club
Thanks to Bicyclist
Dear Editor: Many thanks to the Lincoln Street bicyclist who stopped and stood up our tipped over garbage can. You know who you are. You kept the ravens from spreading our trash all over Crescent Harbor Park and saved us the trouble of cleaning it all up. Thanks again.
The Davises, Sitka
