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8 chairman hopefuls take part in Crow candidate forum
By SUSAN OLP
Of The Gazette Staff

CROW AGENCY - Eight candidates for chairman of the Crow Tribe 
gave their thoughts on key issues at a forum Friday in Crow 
Agency that drew about 200 people.

The two-hour event was sponsored by the Little Big Horn College 
student government. It took place in the multipurpose building, 
the same spot that three weeks before had hosted a memorial 
service for deceased Chairman Carl Venne.

The eight speakers included one late entry in the race - Sharone 
"Papooski" Curly - while a ninth candidate, Edwina Little Light, 
did not take part. Other participants included interim chairman 
and candidate Cedric Black Eagle, Adrian Bird Sr., Leroy Not 
Afraid, Burton Pretty On Top Sr., Larry Pretty Weasel, Wallace 
Red Star and Vianna Stewart.

The audience was asked at the start of the forum to refrain from 
booing opposing candidates. They complied, instead applauding the 
candidates after hearing a particularly welcome answer. All of 
the speakers were given two minutes at the beginning and at the 
end of the forum to make a statement, and then two minutes for 
each question posed to them. Those questions, culled from 200 
e-mails submitted to the student government, focused on the 
candidates' qualifications, promoting Crow-owned businesses on the 
reservation, water rights and education.

Red Star said he was qualified because he runs a ranch and runs a 
business. Pretty Weasel, now retired, told the crowd that as a 
supervisor for a roads program, he managed a budget without any 
shortfalls in all the time he was there.

Pretty On Top, who called himself a traditionalist, touted his 
national and international experiences and said he had the oratory 
skills necessary for the job. Stewart said her 23 years with the 
Bureau of Indian Affairs has helped her develop the skills to 
manage the business of the tribe.

Not Afraid, justice of the peace for Big Horn County, cited his 
work as a Crow legislator, as chairman of the Lodge Grass School 
Board and his two terms on the Montana Consensus Council. Black 
Eagle cited the knowledge he has gained in the past four years 
as vice-chairman of the tribe.

Curly said he was qualified for the post through his work as 
Venne's legislative liaison for the last four years, as well as 
his work as a contractor handling million-dollar projects and work 
in other Crow-related organizations. And Bird said his experience 
as a landowner would help equip him for the task.

In regard to business, several of the candidates said one way to 
enhance small-business development on the reservation would be for 
the Crow people to open their own bank.

Black Eagle concurred, saying the tribe has an economic development 
office but needs its own financial instituteon. He pledged to work 
to make that a reality.

Pretty On Top said he would be willing to accompany members who seek 
loans off the reservation.

"I as chairman will be willing to walk in a bank and provide support 
to them to be able to get loans and start their own business," he 
said.

Stewart suggested hiring an expert to help potential entrepreneurs 
put business proposals together to start their own companies. Not 
Afraid suggested teaching young people to believe in themselves 
would be one step toward helping them reach their full potential, 
garnering a round of applause.

As for water rights, many of the candidates agreed that the Crow 
people did not have enough information about the crow Tribe Water 
Rights Settlement Act of 2009, saying the current tribal administration 
did not make enough of an effort to educate members. They questioned 
whether the tribe would revoke its sovereignty in regard to water.

Black Eagle suggested that over the past 10 years, public hearings 
have been held on the matter and information is available through 
the tribal attorney or online. He added that if the bill before 
Congress passed both houses, the Crow people will have the final 
say in the matter.

On the issue of education, Stewart said a partnership with Little 
Big Horn College is crucial, and suggested the idea of seeking 
business partners willing to offer scholarships and then jobs to 
graduates. Burton agreed that funding is crucial, and added that 
vocational education would be a valuable addition for students who 
don't want to go on to college.

Not Afraid said reintroducing the Crow culture into schools would 
be critical. Curly said encouraging student success starts at home. 
Wallace suggested hiring Crow children already educated who have 
not yet found jobs. Bird called education "the most powerful 
weapon."

After the forum, Tim Falls Down, student body president, said he 
felt the forum was a success

"We're now able to have transparency and to to know how the candidates 
stand on the issues," he said. "There were so many candidates and there 
were many questions, but the questions were relevant to the future of 
our nation."

After the March 28 primary election, student government officials 
intend to hold a debate between the top two vote-getters before the 
April 18 general election, Falls Down said.