<+>=<+>KOLA Newslist<+>=<+>

[forwarded by Pat Morris. Thanks...]

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/025/region/Longtime_Wampanoag_leader_Russ:.s
html

Longtime Wampanoag leader Russell Peters stepping down
By Associated Press, 1/25/2000 16:05

MASHPEE, Mass. (AP) Russell Peters Sr., longtime leader of
the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council that he helped found
in 1974, will not run for re-election next month, largely
because of health problems.

''I'm not running again, but I don't love 'em and leave 'em,'' said
Peters, 71, who will run for tribe historian in the Feb. 13 balloting.

Peters, president of the council from 1974-80 and again from
1992 to this year, is recovering in the Spaulding Rehabilitation
Hospital in Boston from an infection he contracted after
undergoing diabetes-related foot surgery at the end of December.

''It was basically my health, combined with the idea that we've
got some good people there to step up to the plate, and they
should,'' Peters told the Cape Cod Times. ''I will continue to be
involved.''

Peters leaves the council at a time when the tribe is inching
closer to federal recognition.

The Mashpee Wampanoag are third on the Bureau of Indian
Affairs list for active-consideration. Recognition opens access
to federal money for housing and education aid and gives the
tribe the rights and powers of a sovereign nation in dealing with
local, state and federal authorities.

The tribal president presides over council meetings and acts
as chairman of the 13-member board of directors, leading the
tribe in its administrative workings and business dealings.

There are 1,001 eligible voters in the tribe.
 

<+>=<+>
KOLA Information: http://users.skynet.be/kola/index.htm
KOLA Petitions: http://kola-hq.hypermart.net
KOLA Greeting Cards: http://users.skynet.be/kola/cards.htm
<+>=<+>
if you want to be removed from the KOLA
Email Newslist, just send us a message with
"unsub" in the subject or text body
<+>=<+>