April 2023 Open Meeting Summary
Tribal Open Meeting Summary 4/7/2023 held at the tribal office and via Zoom
CMs Marion, Susan, Glenn, Marie, Chris, and CoC Dalton were present. Elders Becky and Ronnie were present. Chief Hatcher, VC Cheryl, and 2C Alan were present.
Members present by Zoom included: Aaron F, Rebecca F, Cody F, Jennifer R, Elder Larry J, Nancy J, Clayton G, Carol H, Kevin D, Starla C, Jeanie W, Lisa L, Joshua W, David B, Susan B
Financial Report (as of 4/7/2023 at 12:12 am)
General Fund: $29,050.25
Building Fund: $3267.00
Cemetery Fund: $407.00
Old Business
Online Votes
3/14 Whiteboard and Table for PFAS during Water Week at the Horry County Museum
Susan-absent, Marion-yes, Marie-yes, Glenn-yes, Chris-yes, Dalton-yes
3/17 Approve March Open Meeting Summary with change
Change 4-b-i-5: Martin Service to Martin Sarvis
Susan-yes, Marion-yes, Marie-yes, Glenn-yes, Chris-yes, Dalton-yes
New Business
Receipts
Fuel: $43.50
Susan-yes, Marion-yes, Marie-yes, Glenn-yes, Chris-yes, Dalton-yes
Glenn will pay with the B&G card
Committee Reports
Buildings & Grounds: Glenn
Dirt: not heard back from Sarvis since we got a price
No work day on 4/8 due to the Easter holiday
Cemetery: remove old fencing and put it up where it should be
Marion: All chairs were put together
Art & Crafts
VC Cheryl: there is a bill in the legislature to revise the Indian Arts & Crafts Act
We need people to write their congressman
It will specify the term Indian to be just federally recognized tribes and its effect on the rest of the Natives
The deadline to comment is 4/14
Chief Hatcher: Caro lH has a lot to donate and Jeff will go get it, but he wants one of the lawnmowers she’s donating
CoC Dalton: what are their condition?
Carol H: both are in working order; one has new blades
Chief Hatcher: is there a particular time to come?
Carol H: come at your convenience
Chief Hatcher: are you going to be part of the Arts & Crafts Committee?
Carol H: I hope so
Susan: Must have 3 items to show to get certification
Susan motioned for Jeff to go get the donated items, including lawnmowers, and allow him to keep one lawnmower; Marie seconded
Susan-yes, Marion-yes, Marie-yes, Glenn-yes, Chris-yes, Dalton-yes
Grants
Michelle: waiting to hear back from SCAC on the School Day grant
VC Cheryl: we received notification that we got the CCU $10k grant
For the longhouse, signs, gardens
VC Cheryl: we are working on another $25k grant through Earth Design
For charrettes, plant identification, design
Pauwau
Working on budget
Need a story on the history & traditions of the drum for the program book
Discussing sending people on the Gate Pass List wristbands ahead of time to indicate they have paid
Requesting Junior HM/HL attend a pauwau meeting to know what is expected of them
VC Cheryl: Trevor spoke to a Pepsi representative who wants to be our official sponsor
We would get drinks at wholesale prices
Marion: How many cases did we buy?
Glenn: 25 Pepsi, 25 Mountain Dew, unsure of rest
Pepsi also has Aquafina water
Files: Marie
No meeting on 4/8 due to the Easter holiday
Susan: we need to decide on a renewal fee
Marie: it should be covered up front too
Marion: motion to charge a $10 ID renewal fee; Susan seconded
Susan-yes, Marion-yes, Marie-yes, Glenn-yes, Chris-yes, Dalton-yes
Newsletter: Susan
I’m talking to Lindsey
The next newsletter is due in June
2C Alan
Statehouse emails from the Chief: write your state representatives and senators
VC Cheryl
When is the best time for Indigenous Lobby Day at the statehouse?
I need to check the legislative calendar
It could be done through the SCIAC
It also gives us a chance to introduce new things
Chief Hatcher
3 bills at the statehouse
Columbus Day- statewide, it would no longer be a day
Free hunting and fishing licenses to tribes and groups
Your ID card would act as your license
Susan: one to stop the SoS from claiming new Indian tribes that have not gone through the CMA process
Contact your state senators and representatives
Susan
4/20: CMA is meeting at the tribal grounds with Council, Elders, members, etc…
4/19:CCU movie viewing of Beans
Last year CCU did an interview with Steven Capparelli (sp?)- Horse movie
Beans is about a 78-day armed standoff in 1990 Quebec
2 Mohawk Indians vs the government
Panel discussion with the director (Tracey Deer) from 5-6 pm in the Singleton Ballroom
VC Cheryl
4/11: I’m speaking on a panel at CCU: a sustainability symposium at 2:30 pm
Intersectional Environmentalism: shows how we’re all connected environmentally
Last month: I had the opportunity to present at the PFAS talk until we got the section saying SC does NOT regulate PFAS
99% of the people in SC have been exposed to PFAS through groundwater and drinking water
There is an increase in cancer, autoimmune diseases, infertility, and a decrease in vaccine efficacy associated with PFAS
European Chemical Health Agency (ECHA): https://echa.europa.eu/
They are about to ban 10k items; the US is only banning 6
Facebook group: Clean Water SC: https://www.facebook.com/CleanWaterSC
An educational site
DHEC, Waterkeepers Alliance, Riverkeepers
All rivers in SC are contaminated and some are very high
Chief Hatcher: What do we do about this?
VC Cheryl: tell the legislators at the state level that we want to set limits and we want clean water
Chief Hatcher: draft me a letter so we can get it out
Stop the use and manufacturing of the items and hold people and corporations accountable
Susan: I was told to talk to my VA doctor. I did and they gave me a paper that said I needed to see my VA doctor
VC Cheryl: we need education first
Get people motivated to contact their state government
4/22 is Earth Day
I encourage all to watch the movie Dark Waters
CoC Dalton
For those who didn’t know, VC Cheryl was quoted in a White House press release