What Makes David Bean Who He Is?
Progress is what you call it. Since David Bean has been on council we
have seen nothing but progress, I.e., an elders center is about completed, a
youth center became reality, there have been several ground breakings for much
needed services for tribal members and was active in
creating language classes to bring our traditional language back to our
people — which is extremely valuable.
David is very visual in the community and is always present
in all youth activities. He created a program entitled "Youth
Summit" three years ago for Chief Leschi students and I had the honor
to sit in on the last Youth Summit break-out sessions, sit in on open and
closing events and listen to a very talented Native American
rapper.
David Bean and James Miles spent the whole day speaking to youths,
encouraging them to continue their education, lifting their spirits
and praising their every positive effort. I sat, watched and observed
these youngsters walk into the room tired and dragging, like they didn't want to
be there. Thirty minutes after David and James addressed educational
issues, hope, despair, fear of the future and general apprehension I observed
these youngsters respond positively. They had a little hip hop to their
step, they were smiling and laughing, they thanked David and James and left with
a definitive sense of being and the positive attitude that "YES, I can go on to
college or trade school and be the best I can be." That is progress.
When they left the room I saw them as little fire flies, sparkling, beautiful
and full of life.
Historically children and elders have been put on the back burner. David
has made them first priority. These youths hold our lives as elders in
their hands . They are our future.
David has faced much adversity, false accusations and threats yet he
holds his head up, smiles and helps even his accusers. He is always
available to speak with tribal members. I know when I have an issue and
speak with David when I leave him I feel like I can make
it, that all is not lost and I have the strength to go on.
I have many quotes stuffed away in boxes, drawers, in my purse and all
over my office. I found one the other day which must have been
written with David in mind (if that is possible) It reads as
follows:
The ultimate
measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort
and
convenience, but were he stands at times of challenge and
controversy.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Verna Marie Bartlett
I am really disappointed in how some seem to be so slanderous. I got a letter today about David Bean and those that are trying to have him removed from Tribal Council for something every other smokeshop owner has been thru is they have been selling cigarettes for any length of time. i see that the letter besides not being signed by some un responsible person did not even give you all the information in the constitution. He has not committed any crime while being in office. Do we suppose any tribal member that has been convicted of a felony crime when it comes to fishing or any other treaty right should now be kicked off council. Maybe the membership should focus on the Council members that if your tribal member employee get your raise now! Or if your on my side I will bend and waive tribal law for you. Tribal Council started to make some great changes but there are too many old school members that want the prestige and perks that go with being in their office; they don't want to be good leaders but good takers and its for them and their family and friends. Its time to think about the whole membership. We can all tell that it is election season; Council Members that have now figured out you may have to put in more time than the years of 2.5; Of course the doors that were open in the past are now all closed working on personal attacks of others including their own; Chaos is not what out tribal government needs;
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I agree with the above person who hit the nail right on the head.The reason I'm saying this is that our 1st peoples of every Tribe,Nation and Bands of Tribes have been fighting for our rights ever since first contact of non-natives tried to destroy us.There has been many issues our people have faced because of who we are some of these issues are still in the courts.the water rights,land rights,fishing rights being alive rights,in the boarding schools u name it our Native peoples have survived everything thrown at us. We are strong people we have suffered enough.we dont need turmoil from our own people. Wake UP U OUT THERE you with the petitions look before you leap before you jeopardize all of our people it isnt against the law to be NATIVE and that is the only crime I SEE HERE ONCE AGAIN. we need to have people in our Governments with educations who are there for our Native Peoples best interest in heart mind and soul. My children and grandchildrens future is at stake and I know that David Bean will protect the future of our people.you out there have worked on destroying this person You know who you are and so does everyone else in this community help bring the people up, and If you see the scale it is pretty lop sided towards the good of the Tribe.Many accomplishments have been achieved and good things are still happening. I was born and raised here I'am an elder and know that ever since I can remember everything a native does is illegal we go to prison for catching a few fish for our families we go to prison for catching a whale now we cant even have a business then we are treated like criminals in whose eyes the Non-natives eyes.Our elders have fought for our rights through different entities since the tribe was established what makes this situation any different. We are individual Nations and need to be together at crucial times like this. We have our own laws !!!! we are a PROUD PEOPLE!!!! dont embarrass our native people because of what? Is it called jealousy or envy or even hatred well the teachings are simple u love & respect yur brother and sister those are the most -BASIC TEACHINGS Some people have gotten so far away from taking care of one another, but instead they want to try and destroy one another. We dont have to be cruel.Remember Elvis Presley DONT BE CRUEL !!!! The one writing & spreading vicious words do you know what KARMA MEANS evidently not because you would not be acting the way you are IS YOUR CLOSET CLEAN DO YOU HAVE A CLEAN SLATE I DONT THINK SO.you are not the judge. I pray for our future generations and we all know who has worked for our children & elders with a good heart yes we all know David Bean has been there for the people and I know he will always be there for our NATIVE PEOPLES it is in his TEACHINGS but most of all his HEART.
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To the above with great respect, I attended the Thousand drum gathering 5/29/2010. Let me start by saying that my great grandfather was 100% Cherokee, and therefore I have Indian blood, but I am now seeking the wisdom, and history of the Indian ways. With the utmost and deepest honor of the above comments, I must say, I felt shunned, and almost despised as I walked through the crowd because I was white. I saw lots of people sitting there in there groups, and no happiness on their faces, and many kept to themselves. I thought this was odd because the Indians have come quite far from the days of old. The casino's bring lots of money to the members, and non-natives must pay taxes, but not the Indians. I just don't understand why you feel so depressed. You have come along way , and you should be proud of your achievements. I grew up with the Bean family in our neighborhood, and they were the most caring people of them all (in our neighborhood). You never saw them doing wrong, but were kind people. I can only say that I believe that if a family has that much respect for others, then they taught their children well. I hope to someday understand the way of the Indian people, but the struggles of the past are history( with respect).If you want people not to be cruel, then please smile at them as they pass. It sure leaves an awful felling with that person that you hate the white person still, but your glad they come to the Casino.
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Not every smoke shop owner has been through this! Not every smoke shop owner has asked Tribal Members he knew to sell his illegal cigarettes.
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have u done your homework in indian country ms chapman do u know how many families were affected in the united states because of the treaties being broken our indian people have been fighting for the right to even live let alone help the people by saying we r tribal nations do u follow the status of what have happen to our tribes in every way we try to get ahead people they come up with another made up law for their own pockets again havent they taken enough like i said read up on all the cases our indian people are in court with the U.S. when you read those cases and studied what have happen to our people maybe you will be able to understand we stick together as indian people not pull each other down u know like the crab pot syndrome so hope u learn to b with our indian people so our ancestors know they didnt die in vain TAKE CARE OF YOUR SELF NOW U HERE
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Does Money Laundering fall under the same catogory as cigarettes and fishing?
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You should be less concerned that the US Government get it's tax money, and more concerned how Tribal Council (not David James or Nancy) continues to siphon the Tribe's money to their friends and families.
It is clear this campaign against David is run by the same greedy people that want to continue to profit from the from their Gravy Train at the expense of everyone else.
GIVE ME A BREAK!
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I'm glad to see this has inspired comments to be made; Our Council needs to stand together for the betterment of the membership and the growth of the Tribe. Decisions should not be made because of who you are but the merit of the decision; One should net feel they can stomp out of a meeting because they don't want to hear.... what is being said; it's sad that he Tribe works on rumor and not fact. We all need to pull together for the tough times but our Tribal Council needs to do the same and not be at odds just because of who they are.
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WELL ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL DAY WE ARE HAVING HERE IN TACOMA HAVENT HEARD TO MUCH BUT THERE ARE SOME DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES GOIN ON WITH THE CANOE SOCIETY AND POW-WOWERS THIS WEEKEND AT SQUAXIN SO I HOPE ALL OF OUR PEOPLE WILL SEEK OUT GOOD NETWORKING SKILLS FOR OUR PEOPLE AND FUTURE GENERATIONS TO SEE HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER IN BRINGING BUSINESS TO OUR PEOPLE LIKE SUPPORTING BUYING NATIVE THERES MANY DIFFERENT THINGS TO DO OUT THERE THAT ARE HEALTHY ACTIVITIES. I FEEL THAT THE PILL SITUATION IS VERY CRUCIAL HOW CAN WE GET RID OF THIS EPEDEMIC IT IS KILLING OUR PEOPLE OUR YOUNG PLEASE SEE HOW WE CAN GET OUR TRIBAL COUNSELS IN EVERY RESERVATION UP AND DOWN THE COAST TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER FAST AND QUIT PUSSY FOOTING AROUND SOS SOS SOS HELP R PEOPLE
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gud morning to the community thinking about what is goin on about the pill problem it is so heavy up in columbia projects people doin heroin, selling pills i cant believe all the hiding is so good that they are still destroying are children what is anyone goin to do about this its hurting a whole generation There should be UA's taken and unless there clean they shouldnt be allowed in the housing destroying other families i hope & pray this will be taken care of & we quit sweeping it under the rug S.O.S HELP OUR NATIVE COMMUNITY GET WELL WE KNOW ITS A HUGE HUGE PROBLEM IF NO ONE STARTS TO DO SOMETHING HERE MAYBE WE NEED TO GO FURTHER UP LINE TO HELP OUR PEOPLE. BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A ISSUE POLITICS GET IN THE WAY & NO ONE WANTS TO TOUCH THIS ISSUE I DONT BLAME THEM CUZ WHEN YOU HAVE A CUSHIONED JOB WHO WOULD WANT TO LOOSE THIS TO HELP OUR PEOPLE HUH? WELL I HOPE WE CAN START SOMEWHERE ITS HARD SEEING OUR PEOPLE DESTROY THEMSELVES WITH THE VICIDIN,PERKS AND OXICOTINS THEY ARE BEING SOLD IN THE COLUMBIA & T ON THE EASTSIDE IN THE HOUSING SO WILL SEE IF SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING THIS WEEK AND IF NOT WERE GOIN UP UP UP UNTIL SOMETHING GETS DONE GRANDRMAS WHO WANT TO SAVE THEIR CHILDREN & GRANDCHILDREN& GREAT GRANDCHILDREN WERE GOIN TO MAKE A STAND !!!!!
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