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Mumpower’s insults of tribe will cost him

By Joseph Martin
November 1, 2007 12:15 am

Carl Mumpower can be congratulated for one thing, and it’s something
Principal Chief Michell Hicks has yet to do. He created unity among the
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ community, at least as far as the race
for Congress is concerned. After a highly controversial and contentious
tribal election, that’s no easy feat.

Mumpower basically insulted the tribe’s members and belittled the
sacrifices made by their ancestors to further his political motives. He
called the tribe a “corrupted special interest.” He even suggested
“obtaining a fake ID, crossing the Qualla Boundary and seeing if (he) can
join the race to use versus uplift America.” His anti-sovereignty rhetoric
was reminiscent of anything seen from notorious “Indian fighters” former
Sen. Slade Gorton (R-Wash.) and former Rep. Ernest Istook (R-Okla.).

He’s accused the tribe of using “us” versus “them” tactics, yet his press
release does just that, playing upon the racially-inspired resentments
among a small and unworthy segment of his potential constituency. His
comment about obtaining a fake ID is particularly disturbing coming from a
vocal opponent of illegal immigration.

The fact is members of the tribe have been among the most patriotic.
They’ve voted. They’ve served in wartime. Some of them, most notably
Charles George in Korea, gave their lives in service to keep this country
free. They’ve been active participants of furthering and defending
democracy since they’ve been U.S. citizens and even before that.

The members of the Eastern Band are Americans. They pay federal taxes.
Those who reside and/or work off the Boundary pay state taxes. Everyone who
shops off tribal land, which is a significant number since the Qualla
Boundary offers limited retail options, pays sales taxes, much of it in
Mumpower’s hometown.

While Mumpower raises a valid concern about campaign donations and
corruption from tribes, it’s an issue that is and should be best addressed
tribally. To hit the whole for the actions of a few is unfair. The tribe
can take care of its own problems.

Mumpower should get to know the tribe rather than ostracize it. It has
become a voting bloc in this region, and that bloc cast its ballots for
Rep. Heath Shuler in 2006, the man he seeks to unseat.

Mumpower doesn’t have to like the tribe’s leadership or how it raises
revenue, but he needs the tribe’s members. They can and do vote.

Joe Martin has been editor of the Cherokee One Feather since 1996. He won
third place for Individual Best Editorial Writing at the 2004 Native Media
Awards from the Native American Journalists Association at the 2004 UNITY
Journalists of Color convention in Washington. He lives on tribal trust
lands in Cherokee County.