Johnny Lefthand and Abe Samson requested to attend our executive committee meeting. Abe is one of the Tribal Councillors.
"It's time we listened to you young people," said Johnny, "We'd like the six of you to attend a Council meeting and tell us what is on your minds."
They also left us a few copies of the Tankosin Reservation Financial Report. "You guys might find this interesting," they said. Then they left.
That request kind of surprised us.
And we had all sorts of opinions on this matter. We talked and talked and talked. It was almost fun pointing out things that were wrong. We could hold the Tribal Council down for several evenings if each of us spoke our minds.
Eventually I felt I had to bring some sense of order to our deliberations.
"When the Riverbend TDG makes their voice public, they get the unanimous consent of the executive committee. I think we should strive for the same."
Zach said, "That'll cut down our long list of suggestions."
Justine added, "I think the Council will listen to three or four things better than thirty or forty."
Then I remember reading something about brainstorming: "Let's make a list of all the issues we talked about. Let's not evaluate any one of them right now. Just get them on a list."
Johnny Jr. brought out a portable whiteboard. Sharilee started writing issues down.
It took us about an hour to put that list together: 51 issues!
"Here's a little rule we can use to help us out. There are six of us. Let's just say that if two of us don't think we should bring an issue to the Council, that is a sign that we probably aren't going to reach consensus easily. Let's just cross it out." I seemed to have got agreement.
So we went down the list and had a little discussion on each point. If two voted against an issue, it was crossed off.By 11:30, we had 11 issues remaining: our longest meeting ever. But so much fun, with everyone speaking civilly and honestly. I wished Sky was here.
"I think we still need to get to three or four," said Justine.
"I suggest that we leave these 11 items for our next meeting," I said.
∞
Sky asked, "Eli, why were you so late?"
I said, "We just had the most wonderful meeting. Got so much done. It was almost like a spirit presence was guiding us. Even better than our constitution meetings six years ago. Magic. I wish you'd been there."
"But I was. I helped set the culture for you guys to have that meeting."
