Letter to the Editor: 'Rocky Boy election board asked me to vote'

Editor:

I would like to correct an article written by John Paul Schmidt in your May 22 edition titled “Rocky Boy council sworn in after half-year wait.”

I was given an honorary membership in the Chippewa Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy in June 1996. All these 19 years, I never voted because I was aware voting was not a privilege of the honorary membership. Your article states I was unaware of this and that I said this in tribal court. I never said anything in tribal court, nor was I asked to say anything in tribal court about this matter ,. I don‘t know where you got your information.

Six months ago I was invited to vote in the tribal election by the election board. I was told by the election board that all I needed was a valid tribal ID. Each election board member looked at my ID and still invited me to vote. I hesitated at this invitation, but went against my better judgment and voted.

I just want to clarify this information stated in your article.

Father Peter Guthneck

Box Elder