Where are the Ute Indian people of today? In response to Rose Jergens (Journal, Feb. 27), what ethical dilemmas do favoritism, cronyism, and nepotism present? Probably the biggest dilemma presented by favoritism is that, under various other names, few people see it as a problem. Connections, networking, family-almost everyone has drawn on these sources of support in job hunting on the Ute Mountain Reservation. And everyone can point to instances where cronyism or nepotism is an accepted fact of life in the political sphere, as well. Past and present tribal leaders, for example, appoint the same close associates to culture/religious leadership, high-salaried employment, and committee board membership, etc. Friends and family can usually be counted on for loyalty, and officeholders are in a good position to know their strengths. This had several effects: 1) Decimating reservations of able, productive working men and women; 2) Compounding poverty and unemployment on reservations; 3) Luring young people away from traditional lifestyles and teachings; 4) Breaking the link between elder and younger generations so traditional roles and teachings would not passed on; 5) Acculturating younger native people to mainstream society; 6) Encouraging assimilation into mainstream culture, including marriage outside the tribe; 7) Further diluting blood-quantum and tribal rights and membership.
Cheyenne Youngeagle
Towaoc