Polson council vote important

To the editor,

We should elect SuSan Lefthand- Dowdall because she's the only candidate who has ever fought the tough political challenges and stood for all tribal members, when others have remained in their safety zones! The two most important being; She fought for reinstating cultural leave into ordinance 69B. And she made the case that no council member should lead a cause then be able to vote for its passage, because it's not fair to the membership, when they use their council positions, to attain inside information and tribal attorney advice, to further their cause. It puts the opposing side of an issue at a great disadvantage.

She made the case that council members, of especially damaging issues, that go against Salish, Pend d'Oreille and Kootenai People, should have to leave the room, when a council vote is required. They should have to leave in the same manner, as those council members whose relatives request council decisions. I witnessed only SuSan Dowdall make a press statement to the Leader for the removal of those council who have been guilty of such practices.

SuSan is full-blood and therefore can't take her hat off and therefore she's always genuine. She attends our Indian Families in their times of crisis.

SuSan advocates for cultural relevance to be built in to our childrens' education and helps families build it into their home life, as a deterrent to addictive behavior. She has assisted with bringing our celebrations to the Polson School district to promote cultural diversity. It should be required of all our tribal personnel to make their presence in the public school system.

Unlike the other candidates who seem only to be running because, they, like the rest of us, need a livable wage, SuSan is running because she cares and will work to ensure more opportunity is created for all tribal members.

SuSan's win is our win. Vote February 19th.

Lois Friedlander

Polson