Staying Involved Matters
One thing I’ve learned over time is that strong communities require involvement.
Not just from leadership—but from all of us.
I’m not a fan of bashing our people or tearing each other down. That has never been my approach, and it never will be. But I do believe in accountability, and I believe accountability starts with being engaged and involved in our Tribe.
Showing Up Matters
Over the last year, I made it a priority to attend Tribal Council meetings consistently.
What stood out to me was not necessarily what was discussed—but how few Tribal Citizens were there to hear it firsthand.
In many cases, the turnout was very low. Even among current candidates, outside of the two incumbents, attendance was limited.
That concerned me.
Not because I believe people don’t care, but because I believe many people may not realize how important involvement truly is.
Staying Informed Is a Responsibility
It’s easy to become frustrated with decisions when we feel disconnected from the process.
But part of strengthening our community is making sure we stay informed and engaged.
Council meetings matter.
Community conversations matter.
Voting matters.
The more informed we are, the stronger our voices become.
Accountability Goes Both Ways
We often talk about holding leadership accountable—and we should.
Leadership should absolutely be transparent, accessible, and willing to answer tough questions.
But accountability also works both ways.
As Tribal Citizens, we also have a responsibility to stay engaged, ask questions, attend meetings when possible, and participate in the future of our community.
Because when involvement decreases, connection weakens.
Why I Chose to Stay in the Race
One of the moments that helped solidify my decision to keep my name on the ballot was attending these meetings and recognizing the need for greater engagement.
I believe our General Council should be more involved, more informed, and more connected to the conversations shaping the future of our Tribe.
Not just during election season—but consistently.
Because the future of our community should never rest on a small number of voices.
A Stronger Future Through Engagement
I believe we have an opportunity to strengthen communication, increase involvement, and create a culture where people feel informed and encouraged to participate.
That starts with:
- Transparency
- Accessibility
- Open communication
- A willingness to listen and engage
When people feel informed, they become more invested.
And when people become more invested, communities grow stronger.
Moving Forward Together
At the end of the day, staying involved is about more than meetings or politics.
It’s about ownership.
It’s about caring enough about our community to stay connected and engaged in the direction we are heading.
We all have a role to play in shaping the future of our Tribe.
And that future becomes stronger when more voices are part of the conversation.
— Rusty Martin
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