Manataba Messenger

Page 13 CANDIDATE FOR TRIBAL COUNCIL ANTHONY STONE, JR. CANDIDATE FOR TRIBAL COUNCIL TOMMIE MILLER Hello, I am Anthony Stone, Jr. I am 52 years old and a full-blooded Mohave Indian from the Nyoolch clan. I have been married to Tonia Stone for the past 20 years. We have 9 children and 10 grandchildren. My daughter, Nokomis Stone, holds the title of Miss CRIT 2019-2021. My parents are the late Anthony Stone, Sr. and the late Viola Korems Stone. I have 5 sisters and 1 brother. I was born, raised, and have lived on the CRIT reservation all my life. I have been employed with the CRIT cemetery for the past 10 years and have taken part in many ceremonial rites for our deceased. I have also worked for the CRIT HIP Department and CRIT Housing Department for many years. I decided to run because I am tired of how things are being handled. I told myself it’s time to stop bi$%&*, and it’s time to wake up, speak up, stand up, and be heard! The list below is just a short overview of my concerns that need to be addressed. I will not go into great detail about these issues at this time. Concerns: a. Our youth b. Our elders c. Preserving our native language d. Ceremonial rites e. Financial matters f. Actions as a Council member g. Councils voting choices h. Emergency medical needs If any questions arise regarding my concerns, feel free to ask me if you see me or stop by my home. Thank You!! s/ Anthony Stone, Jr. My name is Tommie Miller, a four-year candidate for a seat on the Tribal Council. I am 45 years old. I am of Mohave and Chemehuevi descent. I am honored to be a descendent of the late Chief lrataba. I am the Grand-daughter of Gertrude B Van Fleet. Daughter of Michalene Miller, my siblings, is Tracey Quillen and Robert Andrew Quillen, I am the mother of Jennifer Carter. I was Miss Colorado River Indian Tribes 1992-1993, and this is where I began to learn more about my culture and Tribe. I have led my life to be an example and an inspiration for our people. A council member should always have pride in their culture, be upstanding, honest, and hard-working for the people. It takes a good per- spective, compassion for the people, knowledge of agriculture and business trends, and insight to improve or develop laws or policies to make way for The Tribes' future successes. I have that in me, and I know I can make a positive difference. I graduated from Parker High School in 1993 and went on to graduate from college with an emphasis in the medical field and gaming management. I worked for the Blue Water Casino associate for 7 years, starting as a Slot club representative and promoted to Supervisor position. I even worked outside of the reservation for Gila River Indian Casino as a supervisor. I have seen how gaming works and its intricacies to run a casino with controls and auditing to comply with the law. I returned to the reservation in 2010, where I started working for the Colorado River Indian Tribes Accounting Dept as an Accounts Payable Clerk. I overlooked up to 12 tribal departments, performing accounts payable, processing check requisitions, and purchase orders. In addition, I processed work through our Administrative processes and seen what works and what doesn't. In 2015 I transferred to Enterprise Accounting as an Enterprise Bookkeeper. I work with 15 of the 25 enterprises of the tribes reconciling daily sales reports, maintaining each budget, inventory, financial statements, working with vendors, assessing late fees to customers, maintaining records for audit purposes, and worked with the Business Enterprise Board. My insight into the Tribal Administration, the Accounting processing, and the Business Enterprises of C.R.I.T. have allowed me to see the problems. I have solutions to improve them to where they can do better. The enterprises can make money and be seen as real businesses. During these 10 years with the tribes, I have volunteered during the crisis situations on the reservation, such as the big water break going door to door handing out notices, water, toilet paper, and hand sanitizers to members. During the power outage, I volunteered again, handing out supplies to the members and R.V. Parks affect- ed on the reservation. Through this experience, I have seen first hand what needs to be done and expected as a council member when emergencies happen. I have seen and experienced first-hand issues facing our fellow tribal members, specifically educational support and resources, housing shortage, social service resources, and guidance for our youth. I have seen employees who are valuable to the tribes and want to see them utilized instead of outside contractors. We have value and power in our people, our land, and water. I am going to be there for the people on and off the reservation. Are the departments assisting members? I would like to see these departments working with the mem- bers to their full capacity and communicating. Working with the enterprises, we have had to come up with ways to operate under the COVID-19 precautions, and we can continue to prevail. I want to represent you. I am committed to the Tribe. I am asking for your vote this December 5, 2020. Please get out and vote and encourage others to do the same. I am trustworthy, a hard worker, an independent thinker. I come up with solutions to a problem, big or small. I think outside of the box. This is my home and can lend a new perspective. s/ Tommie Miller