BIA recognizes new leadership of Goshutes

In today’s Salt Lake Tribune: Skull Valley: Former leader out as Goshutes elect a new slate: Leon Bear defeated, but his uncle is elected in mail ballot; results must still be verified

After years of controlling the tribal elections and able to remain as the tribal leader as a result, Leon Bear is now out after a recent election voted in new leadership.

Leon Bear, the most ardent supporter of a nuclear waste disposal site in Skull Valley, has been shut out in the Goshute tribal leadership election, the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) announced Wednesday.
The preliminary count of 49 mail-in votes showed the new tribal chairman is Lawrence Bear, a former tribal chairman and Leon Bear’s uncle. Marlinda Moon defeated Leon Bear to become vice-chair; and Lena Knight has been elected committee secretary, according to a memo from Phoenix-based BIA spokesman Wendell Peacock.

But is this a good thing?

Margene Bullcreek, who has fought Leon Bear and other members of the tribe who supported high-level nuclear waste storage on the reservation 45 miles southwest of Salt Lake City, welcomed new leadership.
“I’m satisfied with the results,” she said, adding she hoped Moon and Knight would help stabilize tribal governance.
But the Deseret News reports that the new tribal leader Lawrence Bear supports nuclear waste storage.
Lawrence Bear has little to say about his recent election as chairman of the Skull Valley Band of Goshute Indians, but he did make it clear he supports a plan to store nuclear waste on the Tooele County reservation.
“I support PFS,” said Bear, who according to preliminary results was elected, the Bureau of Indian Affairs said Wednesday.
Margene was quoted in this article as well:
Margene Bullcreek, a band member who has long opposed the proposal, said Wednesday she was disappointed another supporter of PFS was elected chairman, but she saw hope in the other two officials elected. Marlinda Moon was elected vice chair, and Lena Knight was elected secretary, both are apparently political newcomers.
“Mr. (Leon) Bear had relied more on PFS and didn’t develop anything,” Bullcreek said.
Bullcreek was among those who have called into question Leon Bear’s leadership, claiming his opponents were cut off from the band’s coffers.
Bullcreek said the band’s government should also either develop a constitution and bylaws or strengthen its traditional form of government. She added that it’s possible the elections could be contested, noting the official change of leadership still needs to take place. Still, she seemed optimistic.
“I’m glad we have gotten to this stage,” Bullcreek said. “I feel satisfied with the people who got into these positions.”