Tyler, Matsaw, Edmo & Murillo elected to Fort Hall Business Council
From left, Lee Juan Tyler, Sammy Matsaw Jr., Ladd R. Edmo and Nancy Eschief Murillo.
By LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Lee Juan Tyler, Sammy Matsaw Jr., Ladd R. Edmo and Nancy Eschief Murillo were all elected to the Fort Hall Business Council in the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes General Election May 29.
Tyler received the most votes with 367, followed by Matsaw Jr. with 361, Edmo with 329 and Eschief Murillo with 236. The other candidates and the votes they received were Roland Marshall 228; Jessica Lanae James 225; Devon Dwayne Boyer 222 and Elma Thompson 162.
Laurie Marie Kniffin was elected to the Land Use Policy Commission with 289 votes. Jacob R. Caldwell received 145 votes; Lorrie Ann Galloway 88 votes and Willowcahill W. Kipp 80 votes.
Concerning the tribal attorney vote, Bill Bacon retained his position as lead counsel with 387 yes votes and 189 no votes. Monte Gray also retained his position with 363 yes votes and 180 no votes. The question whether the tribal attorneys be employed as contracted attorneys was voted down with 206 yes votes and 353 no votes. The question regarding whether the attorneys should remain as tribal employees with benefits was voted in favor with 376 yes votes and 191 no votes.
Ladd Edmo said a thank you to everyone for voting, “Thank you all the candidates, if you hit the campaign trail in every district — it was well worth it to continue that journey of leadership — it’s been something that I look forward to. I’ll continue to carry that torch for our people, for our treaty, our rights, our tradition and our sovereignty and for our prosperity moving forward to do the best we can for everyone.” He thanked the election committee, the board, the enrollment department, the observers and all those that participated in the election.
Sam Matsaw Jr. also said thank you to everyone who voted and supported him, “It’s a tough road – a tough time getting here and a good test to know and have the heart to be here.” “But I also spoke to some of the things I bring as a quality here, who I am, a scientist, a researcher and someone who thinks a lot,” he said. He said he listened to his elders and they said go away to school and come back. He also followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the military and did that for a while being a combat veteran and came home. He came back to participate in ceremonies to help him get through. “Now I’m here. I’m hoping to be a really good leader for everybody and do the work that needs to be done,” he continued. “I said this a couple of times out there I’m really sick and tired of growing up with all these disparities and deficits that people think. We ought to really look around — I see really wonderful people, lots of intelligence — things that help me succeed in life so I want to give all of that back.” “I want to thank everyone that supported me, those doing all the work out in the lodges – the election committee making sure all the votes are counted, making sure people get to exercise their right. We will see what’s next,” he concluded.
Lee Juan Tyler said he appreciates everyone in every district there were a lot of people who voted. He said there’s so much to talk about and think about to help our people — think about the old people, our treaty, the past, our leaders, “Need to protect all aspects of life, the environment We have a lot of things going on and we have to work together. He said he also appreciates Nathan Small as he’s retiring.
Nancy Eschief Murillo tribal membership thank you for the votes for putting me into the tribal council, “I ran on the basis of working for the people and I intend to do so. There needs to be a lot of changes to make to the tribal government, Enterprises and Gaming up to the level of customer friendly, be employee friendly and tribal member friendly.” She said there needs to be better management practices. “I appreciate your vote.” She encouraged tribal members to get in touch with her with some of their concerns such as employee issues and Tribal Court issues regarding unfair treatment. “We need to resolve it together so feel free to get a hold of me 208-339-4883,” Eschief Murillo concluded.
The elected candidates will be sworn into office June 13 when they will elect officers from within the council.
