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About Wotanin Wowapi (Poplar, Mont.) 1975-2007 | View This Issue
Wotanin Wowapi (Poplar, Mont.), 08 May 1975, located at <http://montananewspapers.org/lccn/WotaninWowapi/1975-05-08/ed-1/seq-3/>, image provided by MONTANA NEWSPAPERS, Montana Historical Society, Helena, Montana.
Wotaninwowapi Page 3 May 8, 1975 PARENTS DEMAND ACTION FROM POPLAR SCHOOL BOARD have not resigmei mma bees as intemtles of semlipdhgrat this moment.\ Bill Breen, *enter, tells the parent oemmittee that he he/ no intention of resigning even though he might be living in another state. FT. KIPP No. 1 SINGING GROUP FORT KIPP, MONT. - The Ft. Kipp sing- ers, led by James Blackdog Jr. won the national Indian singing contest for the fourth consecutive year at Eagle Butte, South Dakota. There were many fine sing- ing.groups from the surrounding states participating in this beautiful spec- tacle. It included contest pageants pre- sented by different Indian clubs repre- senting their individual schools. Con- test dancing with some of the top dan- cers in the Indian nations snowing the forms that made them champions. And mak- ing it all possible were the many fine singing groups singing their best songs. After it was all over, the Ft. Kipp singers were pronounced the winnery in the singing contest. Second place went to the Mandaree singers from North Dako- ta. Third place went to the Badland singers from Brockton and fourth place went to the Porcupine singers from South ------- FARMERS UNION OIL CO. always here to serve you Remember at the farmers union \THE CUSTOMER IS THE COMPANY\ POPLAR, MT. ••••••••••••••••ni Dakota. The Ft. Kipp singers include James Blackdog Jr., Gary Red Eagle, Archie Bearcub Sr., Jerry White Cloud, Archie Bearcub Jr., Clifford Young Bear, and Pat Adams. Congratulations to the Ft. Kipp singers.# Loretta Bearcub NO GAS. . .NO PIPELINE WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman John Melchor has told the Federal Power Com- mission that he and the other members of the Montana Congressional Delegation in- sist that any natural gas pipeline from Alaska crossing the state also provide Montanans with gas. Melcher has been joined by Senators Mike Mansfield and Lee Metcalf and Con- gressman Max Baucus as intervenors for the citizens of Montana as the FPC de- termines whether approval should be granted for a 4.5 -billion cubic foot/day pipeline to carry gas from Alaska's North Slope across Canada and Northeast- ern Montana and on into the Midwest. Known as the Alaskan Arctic Gas-Northern Border Pipeline, it is designed to tap estimated gas reserves of 33 -trillion cubic feat. In his statement for the delegation at the opening of pipeline hearings May 5th, Melcher noted that Montana now im- ports 62% of the natural gas consumed in the state from Canada and must be as- sured of long-term supply. He said that the way to do that is to allocate for Montana a portion of any gas transported from Alaska across the state. The statement said: \The Montana Congressional Delegation insists that, should the Federal Power Commission grant a certificate of con- venience for the Alaskan Arctic -Northern Border Pipeline, it must be conditioned upon making gas available in Montana to meet residential, commercial and indus- trial needs.\ The delegation also notes that the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes have stated they will not give a right-of-way for the pipeline to cross their Fort Peck Reservation as projected unless they are assured gas from the line. The statement concluded by saying that \Construction and operation of any pipeline or related facilities must be in full compliance with all Montana en- vironmental laws and regulations, in- cluding those pertaining to pollution control and major facility siting.\ Following Monday's filing, Melcher said he expects that the delegation will file a motion within the next few weeks to attach specific conditions to any ap- proval given for the Alaskan Arctic line. Said Melcher, \Construction of a pipeline to bring Alaskan gas to the United States is at least several years away. But now is the time for us to as- sure that any line crossing Montana also serves our people as domestic gas sup- plies dwindle and as Canada re-evaluates her own gas supply situation.\# JIM'S APPEIIMCE AVID RECREATIOn POPLAR MT. MERCURY ZENITH SKI DOO TAPES -RECORDS GENERAL ELECTRIC YAMAHA POPLAR -A committee of Indian parents, teachers, and interested persons demand- ed that the Poplar School Board take im- mediate steps to correct problems pre- sented in a four -page statement. The committee of approximately 60 people waited over an hour for the school board to end an executive session on Monday, April 28. Caleb Shields, committee spokesman, accused the school board of \apparent lack of concern of community involvement in education, and the lack of communica- tions between the school board and the Indian and non -Indian community.\ Shields demanded that immediate steps be taken to correct there conditions and gave the school board the rest of the school year and the summer recess to make the necessary changes. Be told the school board \if we in the communities are denied these rights, if we are continually manipulated and fooled and ignored and used, if the Board of Trustees and it's staff contin- ue to treat us as if we were untrustwor- thy and lawless, we will react accord- ingly.\ Shields presented the following de- mands to the school board: (1) \An immediate stop in the way the school board terminates teachers.\ The committee accused the school board of not renewing the contracts of teachers, even though they were viewed favorably by the oommunity, and doing that in an improper manner. The school board alleg- edly failed to notify teachers in writ- ing, before they issued contracts to other timbers, as called for in school district regulations, that their con- tracts weren't being renewed. The school board also \failed to inform the teach- ers, through evaluations, as to their progress in the school system and the improvements deemed necessary to contin- ue as a teacher in the school system.\ The committee questioned Jack Copps, high school principal, about the evalua- tion he performed on one terminated teacher. After giaing the committee a verbal runaround for several minutes, they finally pinned him down and he ad- mitted that he gave a positive evalua- tion of the teacher in question to the school board. The committee then asked the school board, which included Harold Iverson, Guy Nielson, Dick Ferich. and William Brown, Why they had terminated a teacher who had received a positive e- valuation from Copps. No answer was forthcoming as the school board effect- ively changed the subject by answering with questions on a different topic. (2) \A free hot breakfast program for those students who can't afford to pay, to be served in the school cafeterias.\ The committee felt that this would re- duce the high dropout rate in school. Board member Guy Nielson said they had tried to get a hot breakfast program for the last five years but were unsuccess- ful. Caleb Shields, prior to the meet- ing, told the committee that the hot breakfast program could be acquired through the Dept. of Agriculture by just asking for it. Shields later asked the board for authorization for him to set up the program. \Just give me the au- thority and I'll get the program.\ he stated. (3) \An explanation in writing of why a teacher, after removing her from Title IV payroll, was rehired under Title I funds.\ The Title IV committee requested the teacher be terminated because they were unable to work with her. The school board agreed with the Title IV committee at that time but later rehired her under Title I. (4) \An explanation in writing of why the school doesn't hire more qualified Indian teachers.\ (5) \An explanation in writing, dur- ing the last five years, the number of teachers that left the Poplar schools, the reason for and the number of teach- ers leaving this year.\ (6) \Phyllis Culbertson to be ap- pointed to the school board.\ A petition containing approximately 250 signatures called for Phyllis Culbertson to replace William Brown after he resigned. Brown was supposed to have resigned because he was moving to another state. At this point, Brown stated, \I have not resign- ed and I have no intention of resigning at this moment.\ He said that his em- ployer, Murphy Oil, had contacted him that morning and told him that he might be in Poplar indefinitely. He also said that, even though he might be living in another state, he would come back for board meetings and would stay on the board until state law required him to get off. \I probably have more interest in this school than anybody here, the simple reason being that my company (Murphy Oil) is the major taxpayer here,\ he stated. A member of the com- mittee, Helen Ricker, asked him why, if he was so interested in the school, didn't he resign and let somebody who was in the community all the time serve on the school board. This he did not answer. (7)\The school board to provide an a- genda of future meetings to be mailed out two weeks in advance to parents.\ (8)\The right to know the rules.\ The committee wanted a booklet, at the be- ginning of each school year, which out- lines the rules that the parents, their children, and the school staff are to follow. (9)\The school board minutes of meet- ings published and to be available for easy access by interested parents.\ (10 )\The school board and administm- tion to work more closely with the JOM and Title IV committees to alleviate mistrust and a poor working relation- ship.\ (11)\Suspension regulations and a Bill of Rights for students.\ Establish- ment of a committee of parents, teach- ers, and students to determine and de- fine responsible pupil and teacher be- havior. Adopt and publish a behavior code on the committee recommendations. (12)\A written reaction to these de- mands to be received before our next general parent meeting in May.\ This was requested to be prepared no later than May 15. During much of the presentation, the school board remained silent and unres- poneive to the committee's questions. Shields stated that \the school system is not able to function today because the parents DA longer believe in it. The community has lost it's trust in the schools.\ Shields added that \if the educators want parents to cooperate with them, if they want the community to support and promote the schools, then they must 'buy' our trust. They must establish a climate in our schools where parents are respected and not snubbed; where our contributions are welcomed and not dis- regarded; where our questions are ans- wered and not ignored. Maybe if this happens, our schools will begin to change for the better. For maybe then the schools will begin to serve the children—instead of the system.\ Shields noted that Poplar has high dropout rate of Indian students and a lack of adequate reading ability by the students which was evidence that the school was not doing it's job. Dick Ferich said that some mornings during school hours he sat looking out his win- dow at home and noted that a large num- ber of Indian children were passing by. \I don't know why they don't go to school,\ he stated. Several members of the audience cal- led for more real= studies and better Identification for Indian students such as pictures in the schools of Indian leaders, professional people, etc. Board member Guy Neilson claimed that \Indian Studies is a priority here.\ The committee called Tor another meeting on a Friday to discuss the de- mands further with the board. This they agreed to, after some hesitation. The date was set for May 9, however, they decided to meet alone May 5 to disown the committee's demands. The school 'board at first told the committee they were going to adjourn at 9:30, however, it was 10:30 before they had a chance to adjourn. The meeting on Friday, May 9, will be held at the Pop- lar Grade School at 7:00 p.m. At this meeting, the school board will answer the demands of the committee.# ON THE COVEli: 'Peace & Happiness To All Who Enter Here:' Poplar Grade Schoolers enjoy a cool May morning without rain.#
