Tribal chief taking steps to consolidate programs at Sipayik

Passamaquoddy Chief Fred Moore of Pleasant Point has taken action during the past week to consolidate tribal programs on the reservation, following the tribal council's authorization, at a March 9 meeting, for the tribal administration to relocate the tribal government offices. The housing authority and census departments are the first two programs affected by the actions. The chief also has put forward business proposals for the Beatrice Rafferty School building once a new school is built.
In a letter to tribal members, Chief Moore writes, "In anticipation of the planned demolition of the Pleasant Point tribal office building to make room for a new school, we have begun preparations for the relocation of tribal government. Prior to commencing with relocation, an internal assessment and review of programs under authority of the reservation has been undertaken for the purpose of evaluating efficiency."
Chief Moore states that the Pleasant Point Passamaquoddy Housing Authority is being placed under the supervision of the Pleasant Point tribal government. While the housing authority's board of commissioners will continue to select candidates for occupancy, the board of commissioners "shall retain no administrative or management responsibility over the housing authority executive director."
The executive director, Alberta Newell, says that last week she was given a letter concerning the action, which states that the housing authority is to operate under the fiscal management and administration of the tribal government. At a meeting with tribal government officials, though, she was told that the tribal government is not "taking over" the housing authority, so she is not sure what the action means.
Last November the tribal council voted to take back four programs that have been administered by the housing authority for the past five years -- the Housing Improvement Program (HIP), the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the Citizens Energy heating assistance program and the scattered sites program, which provides wells and septic repairs and installations. There also were reports that the tribal government would be closing down the housing authority and taking over its operations, but that did not happen then. The housing authority is a tribally designated housing agency under the umbrella of the tribal government, but it is semi-autonomous, with its own board of commissioners.
In his letter Moore also announced that effective March 20 all evictions would be temporarily placed on hold, pending a review of eviction policies in relation to tribal laws and customs. "Those occupants who owe rent are encouraged to continue paying whatever you can afford while we consider alternatives to eviction, which will include employment opportunities for those struggling economically."
Newell says that the housing authority operates under a fair housing code that was adopted by the tribal council and works with tenants to avoid any evictions. In the past five years only four or five evictions have taken place, and four possible eviction cases that were being considered were all settled last week.
Chief Moore also announced that the tribal government's census department program functions will be consolidated within the Sipayik tribal clerk's office under the position of an assistant clerk for membership. "We will recommend elimination of annual certification requirements to a more efficient use of tribal member's time and resources by requiring written notification of a change in legal address." The census department has not had a director for a number of years, and the assistant director, Marla Dana, was dismissed by Chief Moore last November.
In the letter, Moore writes, "While change will always be difficult for some, it is necessary in order to improve the lives of tribal members and future generations; we cannot operate under a business as usual model. Changes in the manner which we administer programs are needed in order to provide a higher level of service to tribal members."

Proposals for use of school building
Chief Moore also put forward some proposals for uses of the existing Beatrice Rafferty School, which will become the property of the tribe once the new school that will be built on the site of the existing tribal office building opens. The tribal government's planning department will coordinate a community input process to obtain suggestions for the building's use.
Moore states, "Currently we are developing plans to encourage entrepreneurial growth around economic and community development needs; this will commence with the establishment of a Sipayik community development corporation responsible for establishing requests for proposals."
He offers as examples for potential uses a restaurant/food service center in the cafeteria to be leased by the tribe, a child-care facility for tribal members and employees, and building supply, grocery, hardware, clothing and other stores providing supplies not currently available on the reservation. "These are only a few of the things we can do for ourselves; however, in order to successfully reconstitute our economy we must first work together in an effort to rebuild our community," Moore states.