Initative 2016-03 Recall of CLB

Attached you will find a signed and sealed petition dated 04/22/16 against Chief Chet Brooks. This petition is to recall and remove Chet Brooks from the Delaware Tribe of Indians elected offices for the following allegations

1. malfeasance,
2. the use of position for personal and financial gain
3. abuse of authority,
4. crimes of dishonesty,
5. interfering with Tribal Council members and officer duties.

Please let me know if you have any difficulty trying to download or print. I would like all signed petitions either returned to me or submitted to Delaware Tribal Council Secretary Annette Ketchum no later than Thursday April 28, 2016.   Thank you / Wanishi.

Sincerely,

Karla Michelle Vernon

Delaware Tribe of Indians Member

Founder of Delaware Accountability (D.A.) – a Delaware (Lenape) tribal membership grassroots movement to hold accountable all Delaware Elected Officials, all Delaware Tribe of Indians employees, and all Delaware Tribe of Indians affiliated businesses.

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Tribally Elected Officials Blogs and Webpages

Greetings to you all.  I hope this post finds you all in a good way, and that you are blessed.  I am creating this entry for the sole purpose of providing links to Delaware Tribe of Indians Tribally Elected Officials blogs, facebook pages, and webpages.  I simply want to provide an avenue for all Delaware Tribe of Indians Tribal Members to be able to  easily access these Tribally Elected Officials information so that Tribal Members can decide for themselves if they wish to research, follow, and/or be informed on political matters.  Please note that the listing upon this page does in no way indicate agreement, endorsement, and/or approval.  I simply wanted to provide these Elected Officials information from their own writings.  Additionally, please note that the contact information on this page is incomplete at the time of this publishing.  I reserve the right to edit, and add further contact information for Delaware Tribe of Indians Tribally Elected Officials as time and information allows.  I wish to thank you for your time reading this entry, and I wish you blessings, laughter, and love.  Wanishi!

 

Councilwoman Benita Shea Facebook Page

Delaware Tribe Assistant Chief Bonnie Jo Griffith    Assistant Chief Bonnie Jo Griffith Facebook Page

Chief Chet Brooks Facebook Page

Councilwoman Michelle Holley Facebook Page

Councilwoman Dr Nicky Kay Michael Blog     Councilwoman Nicky Kay Michael Facebook Page

 

Sincerely,

Karla Michelle Vernon

Delaware Tribe of Indians Member

Founder of Delaware Accountability (D.A.) – a Delaware (Lenape) tribal membership grassroots movement to hold accountable all Delaware Elected Officials, all Delaware Tribe of Indians employees, and all Delaware Tribe of Indians affiliated businesses.

Detailed Letter of Evidentiary Support

Attached you will find a detailed letter of what I believe is the Delaware Tribe of Indians Tribal Constitutional, Bylaws, and Code of Conduct supporting my allegations of wrongdoing by Delaware Tribe of Indians Assistant Chief / Councilwoman Bonnie Jo Griffith and Delaware Tribe of Indians Councilman Nate Young.   Additionally, I have reposted the summary letter I composed with the overview of the allegations of wrongdoing that I have brought forth.  If you by chance need to review the Tribal Constitution, Bylaws, Codes of Conduct, Resolutions, and Policies I provided hyperlinks in the pdf letter I created or you may visit my earlier blog posts.  As always I think you for the time you have taken to view my allegations and the information I have collected for all Delaware Tribal Members.  Wanishi

Sincerely,

Karla Michelle Vernon

Delaware Tribe of Indians Member

Founder of Delaware Accountability (D.A.) – a Delaware (Lenape) tribal membership grassroots movement to hold accountable all Delaware Elected Officials, all Delaware Tribe of Indians employees, and all Delaware Tribe of Indians affiliated businesses.

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summary letter

 

 

Evidentiary documents

Evidentiary support of abuse of office for personal or self gain and unprofessional behavior of Delaware Tribe of Indians Assistant Chief / Councilwoman Bonnie Jo Griffith from the composed statement of Delaware Tribe of Indians Councilwoman Michelle Holley to Delaware Tribe of Indians Tribal Member John Sumpter.  Additionally, I have previously attached the Tribal Constitution, Bylaws, Codes of Conduct, Resolutions, and Policies for your review to determine if you support my allegations of wrongdoing.

Sincerely,

Karla Michelle Vernon

Delaware Tribe of Indians Member

Founder of Delaware Accountability (D.A.) – a Delaware (Lenape) tribal membership grassroots movement to hold accountable all Delaware Elected Officials, all Delaware Tribe of Indians employees, and all Delaware Tribe of Indians affiliated businesses.

 

Evidentiary documents

Evidentiary support of alleged harassment, abuse of office, and unprofessional behavior from the composed emails of Delaware Tribe Assistant Chief and Councilwoman Bonnie Jo Griffith and  Councilman Nate Young.  Additionally, I have previously attached the Tribal Constitution, Bylaws, Codes of Conduct, Resolutions, and Policies for your review to determine if you support my allegations of wrongdoing.

Sincerely,

Karla Michelle Vernon

Delaware Tribe of Indians Member

Founder of Delaware Accountability (D.A.) – a Delaware (Lenape) tribal membership grassroots movement to hold accountable all Delaware Elected Officials, all Delaware Tribe of Indians employees, and all Delaware Tribe of Indians affiliated businesses.

 

 

 

 

Evidentiary documents

Evidentiary support of crimes of dishonesty and using elected office for self or personal gain from the blogs, facebooks, and composed emails of Delaware Tribe Assistant Chief and Councilwoman Bonnie Jo Griffith and  Councilman Nate Young.  Additionally, I have attached the Tribal Constitution, Bylaws, Codes of Conduct, Resolutions, and Policies, as well as the Federal Laws, Policies, and Procedures that support my allegations of wrong doing.

Sincerely,

Karla Michelle Vernon

Delaware Tribe of Indians Member

Founder of Delaware Accountability (D.A.) – a Delaware (Lenape) tribal membership grassroots movement to hold accountable all Delaware Elected Officials, all Delaware Tribe of Indians employees, and all Delaware Tribe of Indians affiliated businesses.

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Housing

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embezzlement and fraud definitions

embezzlement and theft 18 USC 1163on demand court records

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The General Crimes Act 18 USC 1152

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Political Allegations of Wrong Doing

March 10th, 2016

Delaware Tribal Members,

Attached you will find a summarized letter of the allegations I have made against Delaware Tribal Councilman Nate Young, and Delaware Tribe Assistant Chief and Councilwoman Bonnie Jo. Griffith.  I will be bringing forth categorized evidence in subsequent blog entries, and expanding both the posting of evidence and the letter as research, time, and evidence allows.  Please keep in mind this is not the entirety of allegations or evidence, but merely the initial overview as there is such a large quantity of Federal and Tribal documents to review while I continue to investigate.  I merely wanted to get some of the information I presently have out to the public.   I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to read and decide for yourself on whether or not you find merit in the petition for recall and removal of these two tribally elected officials.  If any of you would like to contact me to further discuss these matters please do not hesitate.

Sincerely,

Karla Michelle Vernon

Delaware Tribe of Indians Member

Founder of Delaware Accountability (D.A.) – a Delaware (Lenape) tribal membership grassroots movement to hold accountable all Delaware Elected Officials, all Delaware Tribe of Indians employees, and all Delaware Tribe of Indians affiliated businesses.

Summary letter of allegations

 

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Code-of-Conduct

 

Fall 2014 AutoBio for Candidacy for Chief

Former Candidate for Chief of the Delaware (Lenape) Tribe of Indians

I believe this quote by Warren Bennis best speaks to my desire to run for Chief of the Delaware (Lenape) Tribe of Indians. In the past the Delaware (Lenape) were thought of as “grand-fathers, mediators, and wise council” by many Algonquin tribes in their region prior to European contact. I desire to see my vision of the Delaware (Lenape) reassuming those roles and establishing themselves as innovators and “wise council” within all Native and non Native American communities. I believe that in order to see these visions come to fruition I must be the change that guides the Delaware Tribe.

Having lived on several reservations throughout the United States, I believe I have a wide perspective and understanding on the needs of Native people. Fundamentally, I have learned that it is crucial to learn from our elders, guide our children, and invest and share with future generations. I have a history of volunteering with the following organizations: Rock the Vote, Native Vote, community libraries, and tutoring elementary – university, and mentoring at risk youth.

I’m a motivated professional with multiple college degrees, and a successful work history of producing results while striving for excellence. I am poised, versatile, and competent with a demonstrated ability to excel within a diverse environment. I excel with leadership, personal accountability, integrity, team-building, customer service, and establishing goals and achieving results.

I look forward to recieving your vote, representing the Delaware Tribe, and guiding positive change for our people. Stay tuned for my thoughts on tribal development, and where I would like to see the Delaware Tribe in 4 years, 8 years, and 12 years.

Thank you,

K. Michelle Vernon

former Candidate for Chief of the Delaware (Lenape) Tribe of Indians

Tribal Council Elect & Tribal Chief Elect 2014

I wish to thank all those who voted for an unknown Lenape young woman, and to thank those who believed in my vision for the Delaware (Lenape) Tribe of Indians.  I have thought upon continuation of my blog post election, and have decided to continue it.  I believe if I have inspired at least one individual to investigate and self educate for themselves any of the following: their tribal government, legislation pro and against native issues, tribal candidates and/or tribal platforms, then I have accomplished my goal of making a positive change for native people.  I humbly wish to congratulate all new Tribal Council Elect Members, new Tribal Chief Elect Chet Brooks, and our new Tribal Judicial Elect Members.  I am looking forward to what this new administration has to offer.

I personally would like to challenge all new Tribal Elect Members to unmask and bring to light ALL transgressions, misdeeds, and  abuses of power from the current/former administration and provide as much evidence and charges at General Council 2014.  I believe it is essential for Lenape people to have access to accurate information and to be made aware of negative behaviors from past administrations.  Below you will read upon areas I believe that need addressing,

1. Rewrite or rework of Tribal Constitution that promotes a check and balance system within our Tribal government.  I believe it is of utmost importance to protect General Council from ambitious and/or corrupt individuals.
2. Freedom of Press.  I believe the Delaware Indian News (DIN) needs to be managed and edited by non-political tribal members.  I disagree with the DIN being utilized as a means of mass distributing propaganda to tribal members.  I would like to see the DIN be utilized as a means to promote and educate tribal members on up and coming native leaders, legislation, tribal events throughout the country.
3. Tribal Freedom of Information Act.  I desire to see all tribal members have access to request tribal information via internet, in person, or U.S. Mail.  I believe Tribal Council needs to establish legislation that prohibits Tribal Administrations from locking tribal members out of information utilized for self education.
4. Establishment of Communication/Public Relations department.  I believe there is significant reason to have a Communication/Public Relations Department established as soon as is feasibly possible.  I disagree with any elected official past or present making generalized blanket statements for Tribal Members, Other Native Tribes, and people as a whole.  I believe it is egoistical and utterly unacceptable for past or present elected officials to self appoint their selves as the voice of ALL natives, and that individuals found to be in breach of overstepping their elected office be held accountable.
5. Strengthen Tribal Judicial Branch.  I believe there is great importance to having a Tribal Judicial Branch that is non-dependent on Tribal Council financially.

I will be bringing forward additional areas I where I feel the Lenape people could most benefit from change. Thank you.

My Vision for the Delaware (Lenape) People 4 years

When elected as Chief of the Delaware (Lenape) Tribe of Indians I have very specific goals and visions I would like to accomplish and make realities for our people.  Initially, upon taking office I will require an audit be performed upon all departments by an independent accounting firm.  I want to determine realistically how much money the tribe has, how much money each individual department requires to complete day-to-day operations,  what each departments annual budget is, and where money has in the past been spent.  I believe it is of critical importance to determine if the tribe is running into any financial areas of opportunity at the beginning, and establish an appropriate plan of action to address any issues.

During my first year in office as Chief of the Delaware (Lenape) Tribe of Indians I plan to address constitutional reform.  I believe it is of paramount importance to establish a constitution that protects all tribal members by establishing a check and balance system.  I believe the Delaware (Lenape) people deserve nothing less than to have elected representatives and tribal employees, who serve the people, and are held accountable when their actions are deemed unsatisfactory, illegal, or immoral.  I would like to strength the Judicial Tribal Courts and the Trust Board;  by encouraging those branches to have equal opportunity to work for the tribal members.  I would like to research having the Judicial branch research all legislation prior to being presented to Tribal Council for vote for a fee, and Judicial officers becoming mediators in inter-tribal legal cases.  I believe it is extremely important that we utilize these legal minds to ensure that all proposed legislation is constitutional prior to discussion in Tribal Council Meetings and votes .  Additionally, during my first year in office I would like to propose the following changes be reviewed for legality and establish a plan of implementation:

1. Drug Tests (Random, Upon Return from Events, and Under Suspicion)  for all tribal employees, representatives, and elected officials.
2. Request for Information Act enabling tribal members to make written requests for information.  The Request for Information be reviewed by a Request for Information committee within 7 business days, and the request to be approved or denied in writing within 14 business days.  If departments fail to follow the above specifications the department in question will be investigated, fined if applicable from their annual budget, and the fines be placed into an educational scholarship fund for tribal members.
3. Establish a written amendment to the constitution with regards to prohibiting individuals from serving on both Tribal Council, Trust Board, or Judicial Branch at the same time.  Thereby eliminating the possibility of confidentiality breaches, one individual having excessive influence of the tribe, and prohibiting corruption.
4. Promote embracing our historic tribal culture, but recognizing and appreciating its ever evolving dynamics.
5. Promote open meetings whereby tribal members can receive information, ask questions, and make their opinions known to on issues Tribal Council is considering.
6. Promote developing a weighted hiring scale where education and experience are heavily weighted at 10 points each, and Delaware Tribal Membership weighted 5 points, and any other Tribal Membership is weighted 2.5 points.  I believe the Delaware Tribal members deserve a Human Resource department whose purpose is to ensure the Delaware Tribe is hiring, managing, and mentoring individuals to departments most suited to their skill sets and desired career paths.
7. Promote opening a position on Tribal Council for a Youth Representative.  The youth representative would attend quarterly Tribal Council meetings,  and report issues and areas of concern for the youth.  I recommend establishing a scholarship fund for the youth representative.
8. Research innovative economic development opportunities within our communities such as these ideas:
   1. Establishing a tribal food co-op, enabling Delaware Tribal Members, Non-Delaware tribal members, and non natives for a small monthly fee access to fresh fruits and vegetables encouraging a healthy and nutritious lifestyle.
   2. Establishing a tribal agricultural business utilizing land in Kansas, Bartlesville and Chelsea, Oklahoma to grow organic chemical free sacred herbs for sell to other tribes for ceremonial use.
   3. Establishing a youth shelter encouraging youth to work on healthy skills to deal with trauma or any life threatening situations within the smaller communities.
   4. Establishing a homeless shelter to foster individuals opportunity to get back on their feet, join the work force, and again become viable members of society and our communities by offering a safe shelter, financial education, resume and interview skill building, and group settings to work on individual areas of opportunity.
9. To require all tribal departments, committees, and tribal government elected and appointed officials adhere to their tribal written policies and procedures, and in applicable cases adhere to federal written policies and procedures.
10. Research implementing real-time tribal meetings via the internet encouraging and enabling non-local tribal members access to participate in the tribe.

During the years following my first year in office I wish to promote diversification of our Delaware economic opportunities.  I wish to establish businesses that will be self-sustaining and of a nature that will assist tribal members and non tribal members within a given community.   I believe by educating, investing ones self and time, we can strength our tribe, and our communities.  I believe being elected by you the people, that I will do my best to always maintain and remember that I am your servant, your representative, and will carry myself with dignity as I strive to bring growth, awareness, and positive inter-tribal relations.  Please revisit my website as I will be adding my visions for the future 8 and 12 years.

 

I thank you for taking the time to read my visions for the tribe in the next 4 years under my leadership.  I humbly ask for your vote, and wish blessings upon you and yours always.

 

Thank you,

K. Michelle Vernon

Candidate for Chief of the Delaware (Lenape) Tribe of Indians