Chairman Anthony Johnson Shares His Leadership Views and Education

By Agnes L. Weaskus

“I was elected to the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee in 1999. This is the first year of my second term and my first term as Chairman, about seven months now,” said Chairman Anthony Johnson in an interview.

Chairman Johnson has a lot to say and has many issues in mind as it relates to the Nez Perce Tribe and what is happening in Indian Country. “As Chairman, I am put into a different level than when I was a chairman for various NPTEC Sub-Committees. I serve as the official spokesman for the Tribe and lobby on behalf of the Tribe for appropriations on the national level ” Chairman Johnson said.

“Tribal issues are discussed at the sub-committee level then brought for action at the NPTEC table. It is a challenge to keep up on all the information, but I rely on the leadership of the NPTEC members to fill in the information necessary to make decisions”, said Chairman Johnson.

“I benefit as a first time chairman from the guidance of the NPTEC members whether it be Scotty’s experience! Jake’s knowledge in the Law & Order Subcommittee arena! Jennifer’s diligence as the Treasurer! Jerrid’s desire to learn and serve! Julia’s years of advocacy in the area of health! Bill’s commitment to our youth! Allen’s traditional knowledge and Natural Resources commitment! Sam’s years of experience and knowledge as chairman! I believe each member brings a strength that negates the weaknesses of any one of us to provide effective leadership for our people!”

“I do a lot of reading to keep up on world and Tribal events. Right now I am reading a document from the U.S. Commission on Human Rights, called ‘A Quiet Crisis- Federal Funding and Unmet Needs in Indian Country.’ It makes for some very interesting reading. It helps me to better identify unmet needs locally and better prepares me for representing tribal funding shortfalls and for providing testimony on behalf of the Tribe,” Chairman Johnson said.

“What is needed for Tribes is appropriations sufficient to meet our needs,” said Chairman Johnson, “As is the case with all Tribes, we are appropriated inadequately by the Federal Government. According to the report I mentioned previously, there is a 7.4 billion dollar unmet need in Indian Country. As funding shortfalls have been the case since the beginning of “Trust Responsibility” we have to commend the leadership of the past for getting us to this day. The realization that we have come from a NPTEC and a few employees in the beginning, to 900-1000 plus employees is definitely a true testament of leadership provided to our people!”

“I have read our Tribal minutes from 1948 and I am up to 1992. I will eventually tie in the history at least to the point of when I first walked into NPTEC. As I have read someplace or have been told, we must look at our past in order to help guide us where we want to go. Example, today we face a Federal Government aligned as it was in the1950’s Termination Era. Then the State of Idaho attempted to enforce state laws on reservations regarding treaty rights of our tribal members. Tribal members and NPTEC took action that affirmed our hunting and fishing rights. Our Tribe took action to oppose all dams under consideration. “Today the issue of breaching dams to save salmon should be considered”, stated Chairman Johnson.

“Whether it be yesterday or today, termination or diminishment, our opponents desired end result is the same and the battle continues. I am encouraged that many of our efforts are improving relations with the local communities at least to a point of agreeing to disagree as the Intergovernmental Work Group has accepted.

“When I think of leaders (outside of our Treaty negotiators), I think about the 50’s not to discredit any generation including our own; however, facing poverty brought on by oppression our veterans and others returned from World War II, stood against injustice on all fronts from education, health care, to treaty rights. True, each generation has faced these battles, however, these leaders ensured our sovereignty would exist in the “modern era”.

“When we look at our history, I see that we have truly advanced. We owe respect to all our past leaders and must be committed to continue the ongoing work of bettering our nation.

Tribal governments have made more advancement for themselves in a shorter period of time than the federal government was able to do when they were in control of tribal lands, resources and programs.

“Advice I can give to new Council members is to serve on all of the sub-committees in order to understand all of the Tribal issues and how the sub-committees work together with the tribal government and tribal programs. This helps to understand how they all flow and work together. It is the best way to get educated on the tribal issues and how things get done,” said Chairman Johnson.

When asked if he has a favorite motto he likes to use Chairman Johnson offered this comment, “STRAC, it is a military term and it is a ‘state of being ready.’ As I use it today it stands for Sovereignty, Trust Responsibility, Appropriation and Consultation. Our issues are affected by the shortfalls of the government in recognizing or providing any of these.