Post by Okwes on Sept 21, 2007 0:58:43 GMT -5
White Earth chairwoman seeks ouster of Gonzales
Erma Vizenor, chairwoman of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, said U.S.
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales should resign over his role in the firings of
several federal prosecutors.
Vizenor praised the work of former U.S. Attorney Tom Heffelfinger of
Minnesota. Although he was not ousted, he was targeted by Department of Justice
political appointees because he spent "too much time" on Indian issues, a former
aide said.
"Federal funds and resources are at an all-time low on the White Earth
Indian Reservation as a $600 billion war rages on," Vizenor said in a statement,
The Grand Forks Herald reported. "We need the Tom Heffelfingers."
Five of the eight fired prosecutors represented states with significant
Indian Country. All were members of the Native American Issues Subcommittee,
which Heffelfinger chaired. His successor in that post, Margaret Chiara of
Michigan, was among those who were ousted.
Erma Vizenor, chairwoman of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, said U.S.
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales should resign over his role in the firings of
several federal prosecutors.
Vizenor praised the work of former U.S. Attorney Tom Heffelfinger of
Minnesota. Although he was not ousted, he was targeted by Department of Justice
political appointees because he spent "too much time" on Indian issues, a former
aide said.
"Federal funds and resources are at an all-time low on the White Earth
Indian Reservation as a $600 billion war rages on," Vizenor said in a statement,
The Grand Forks Herald reported. "We need the Tom Heffelfingers."
Five of the eight fired prosecutors represented states with significant
Indian Country. All were members of the Native American Issues Subcommittee,
which Heffelfinger chaired. His successor in that post, Margaret Chiara of
Michigan, was among those who were ousted.