I’ve been back in Haines since 1997 and have yet to say I’m proud of our I.R.A. I’ve seen much and heard much and just lately they paid out a big sum of money for their negligence. How shameful of that. That money could have been used for culture and heritage, our people so do deserve. But no, our I.R.A. doesn’t think like that.
It’s my opinion our I.R.A. council needs to read the by-laws, same as our tribal administrator, Article 4, all of it. The council has all power, not the tribal administrator. We’re the only tribe in Southeast with no culture.
I’m going to say this again: I’m proud of our neighbor, Klukwan, for all they’ve done for themselves through their I.R.A.