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I've given each of the Omak District Tribal Council, and the new candidates running for Council copies of the petition with names of tribal members’ signatures. The petition is requesting 50 percent of the 193 money.

I went to all three HUD sites in Omak, the HUD sites in Malott, Homested Trailer Court, covered the East Omak area and all along Hwy 155 to Disautel Pass. I knocked on each and every door, and was able to get over 300 petition signatures.

All the tribal members were eager, and willing to sign the petition. All the tribal members are very upset with the Council because “We the Tribal Members were not given a voice, or opportunity for input Before the decision was made by the Council to give the membership such a small portion (20 percent) of the 193 money.”

Going from house to house, meeting and talking with the tribal members, I saw no wealthy or rich tribal members. A very few were what might be called middle class. Most households live from paycheck to paycheck, struggling to make enough money to pay monthly bills. Many households are receiving Public Assistance to survive.

The signatures on this petition are mostly from the people who live here in the Omak District. When the Council decided, agreed, and voted to give the members 20 percent, the council was not representing the will, wants or needs of the tribal members and that's why these 300-plus signatures appear on this petition.

Will the Omak District Council stand with the members, or be in opposition to the Omak District tribal members?

Bruce Marcellay

Omak