Papago Indian news., December 01, 1963, Image 1

About Papago Indian news. (Sells, Ariz.) 1954-19??

Image provided by: Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records; Phoenix, AZ

                
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PUBLISHED MDNTHLY AT SELLS, ARIZONA, BY THE EDITORIAL BOARD OF PAPAOO INDIANS
' VOL. X NO. 8 - REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION RATE: SI,OO PER YEAR.. , „DECEMBER 1963
TRIBAL COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS DECRYING DENIAL OF UNEMPLOYMENT
INSURANCE, URGING IMPROVEMENT OF SANTA ROSA SCHOOL CONDITIONS,
AND ASKING FOR RESTORATION OF FULL STAFF FOR SELLS INDIAN HOSPITAL
Declaring that Papago claimants for unemployment insurance have been found ineligible by the
Employment Security Commission of Arizona on grounds which are ’'beyond the bounds of reason
and of common sense,” the Tribal Council has passed a resolution asking the ’’proper public
officials to commence an investigation into the reasons given for the denial of insurance
benefits
Men so affected by the ruling were formerly employed by the BIA in the accelerated public
works program of 1962-63° As the money was spent, the men were laid off and later became
eligible for unemployment insurance. However, the insurance has been denied for such reasons
as ''residence of the claimant in a remote area,” "failure of the claimant to apply in suffi
cient number of instances for employment," and "inability of claimant to look for the right
kind of work.”
The resolution points out that the failure to receive the unemployment insurance has brought
hardship to claimants and their family as well as adversely affecting the economy of the re
servation. Copies of the resolution have been sent to public officials on local, state, and
federal levels who deal with unemployment insurance matters.
In one instance, a claimant had applied' for work. in .13 different places, according .to Tribal
Administrative Assistant Edward 3,* Sullivan.- He has investigated each, instance of ..denied
insurance for men laid off as the public works program was completed. He reported to the
Tribal-Council, that the claimants "had sincerely and conscientiously sought employment and
had had...sufficient transportation to take him...in search of work."
The instances of denied insurance have taken place since August, Sullivan points out. Some
, of the cases have been appealed from the first-level ruling. About half of the decisions
have been reversed, he reports. After considering the resolution, the Council voted 22-0
for its passage.
Based on a report from Gu Achi district that over-crowding of classrooms and lack of suffi
cient teachers are holding back education of youngsters at the Santa Rosa day and boarding
► school, the Tribal Council has passed a resolution asking that the matter be investigated and
also reported to local agency and area officials of the BIA.
Tribal Chairman Eugene J. Johnson and Robert Mackett, of Sells district council, visited the
the school later. Johnson declares the conditions to be as reported.
► The resolution reports "many teachers have two or more grades to teach,"...and "more class
rooms should be made available for teaching”...Area Director Wade Head and Papago Agency
Superintendent Thomas H. St. Clair are asked "to take immediate steps to remedy the situa
tion and to place the school in such condition that each and every student attending there
will have a full and ample opportunity to attend all classes required," according to the re
solution.
In another resolution passed at the November meeting of the Tribal Council, the group appeal
ed to Public Health Service, Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall, and Congressman Morris
K. Udall to restore the full medical services previously available through the 61-member
staff of the Sells Indian hospital. A recent order declared that 10 members would be dropped.
* Transportation from villages to the hospital may be curtailed, it was pointed to councilmen
by Dr. Lewis Patrie. He also said that the reduction in personnel will place the hospital
"below what is considered an average staffing.”
The vote on each of these resolution was 20 for the measure, 0 against, and 1 not voting.
Councilman Salvador Lopez left the meeting before these two items were acted upon.