Complacency about Yurok Tribal Council helps no one

Once again it's time for all voters around the country to cast their votes. Voting for the person that we personally feel will best represent the issues we believe are most important for our future.

I have come to the realization that "yes, it is time for change," not just on the national level, but also on the local level. In particular, I speak concerning our upcoming Yurok tribal elections.

For the past several years the extent of my involvement with my tribal government has been relegated to family/friends conversations, reading the tribal newsletter and brief greetings or simple conversations with tribal representatives. I have made the choice to keep it simple, no drama.

On that note I would like to pose this question to other tribal constituents. Over the past several years have you growled or complained that nothing ever changes? If so, have you considered what your role as a voter has been for this lack of change? If we, and I include myself, continue to vote the same people into office term after term simply because we are friendly with the representative or because we ourselves are simply apathetic to the whole process, then are we not the cause and effect for what it is that we growl and complain about?

What we have to remind ourselves is, had the generations before us given up or simply quit caring, this generation would not have the opportunity to vote for their own Tribal Council, let alone, fish, hunt, harvest our timber, provide tribal schools, employ our own people or create programs that will benefit our children's children.

It is our gift to our children to vote responsibly. I have been complacent, tired of hearing it. As the world around us is experiencing significant change, prices are soaring and the economy sinking, it is time for us to protect our sovereignty by voting responsibly. Electing leadership that will bring fresh insight to old issues, roll up their sleeves and get to work. It truly is time for change!

If we could vote for term limits, I would vote yes. Why? Because while I believe experience is a great tool, complacency prevents the job from getting done.

I will cast my vote for change to Jack Mattz, a lifelong community member who understands the trials and tribulations of working through issues and resolving them.

Kim Yost

Crescent City