There
was a good forum yesterday bringing together candidates running for the
positions of Secretary-Treasurer and District 1 Representative of the
Leech Lake Business Organization (the Tribal Council--- LLBO).
One of the main issues to surface was the reactionary "At-will Employment" policy now part of the LLBO laws.
People want this anti-worker policy rescinded, and to be replaced by a "Just Employment" policy.
Based on comments from people and responses from the candidates it
looks like this very reactionary employment policy may be coming to an
end with very progressive employment policy put in its place.
LLBO just enacted the highest Minimum Wage in the United States--- $10.25 an hour.
Previously the LLBO voted to support the enforcement of Affirmative Action.
Progressives across Minnesota and the United States would be wise to
follow these examples of REAL CHANGE. Real Change resulting from
grassroots activists and working people speaking their minds.
All of this real change on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation was
initiated by grassroots activists forcing tribal elected politicians,
many every bit as bad and corrupt as state and federal politicians, to
act. Of course these corrupt politicians are facing direct opposition
from grassroots activists turned politicians, too.
There is a lesson for all of us to learn here.
It would be nice to eliminate the influence of corrupt money from
politics but as can be learned from the grassroots activities of the
people of the Leech Lake Indian Nation we can't wait for the influence
of corruption resulting from big-money to end.
There is a
reason why the mainstream media is not reporting on the political
developments taking place in the Leech Lake Indian Nation--- they don't
want others to learn how to educate, organize and mobilize for real
change.
Pass this post around; let your friends know "people can fight city hall and win" through struggle.