A portrait of the Tribal Liaison Program, 1987-2005 /U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Northwestern Division ; introduction by Lisa Mighetto ; oral interviews by Lisa Mighetto and Heather Lee Miller.

2005·13.5 MB·English

by  [Omaha, Neb.] :U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Northwestern Division

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Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2016 with funding from
University of Florida, George A. Smathers Libraries
https://archive.org/details/portraitoftribalOOomah
A
PORTRAIT OF THE
PROCRAM
TRIBAL LIAISON
1987 2005
-
Army Corps of Engineers
U.S.
Northwestern Division
INTRODUCTION BY
MICHETTO
LISA
ORAL INTERVIEWS BY
LISA MICHETTO AND HEATHER LEE MILLER

Foreword v
Preface vii
Introduction ix
Interview
1
Ismael Caballero, Bill Mellick, Kimberly Oldham, Mary Lee Johns,
Georgeie Reynolds, and Lynda Walker 1
Interview 2
Colonel Richard W. Hobernicht (retired) 39
Interview3
Jennifer Richman 51
Interview 4
Chip Smith 65
Interview 5
Colonel Mark Tillotson (retired) 85
Interview 6
David Vader 101
Interview 7
Pern Hall 117
Acronyms 135
Index 136

It is with great pleasure that we introduce A Portrait ofthe Tribal Liaison Program 1987 - 2005 for
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Northwestern Division. The program has evolved slowly
while enduring many set-backs, changes of policy, and shifting political climates. Throughout
the history of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Northwestern Division, there have
been individuals who supported and championed the development and maintenance of good
relationships with the sovereign Indian nations. In the mid-1990s, the climate was right for
a long-overdue change to an emphasis on executing management decisions that could be
concurrently legally, morally, and ethically correct. The movement toward this atmosphere has
been a slow and difficult one.
The oral interviews presented here reflect many facets of the liaison program. During the period
of time for these interviews, it was the Native American Program. The interviews are decidedly
personal glimpses, reminiscences of people, places, and events and may contain differences of
memory and interpretation, but the reader will be able to understand the program through the
stories and experiences of the individual tribal liaisons.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the district and division commanders as well
as the tribal leaders who provided support and direction for the program. The Northwestern
Division has come a long way, and much remains to be accomplished towards the final
goals. Interaction and communication with sovereign nations needs to become an ingrained
habit, needing no regulations, rules, policy, guidelines, or reminders for proper and effective
consultation. In the final analysis, a successful program is one that inculcates honesty, respect,
and provides comprehensive education for all it touches, encouraging both Corps officials and
tribal members to "walk in both worlds." Those liaisons in divisions and districts and other
dedicated individuals will remain steadfast and pursue these goals of the program.
As said by a tribal member in the mid-1990s, the liaison(s) "stand strong and proud in their
actions to improve and enhance the interactions with the tribal governments. We know it is not
an easy way of life for you, but the actions are appreciated by both the tribal governments, the
individual tribal members, and the Creator."
We hope this portrait will intrigue and educate the reader. Most of all, we hope that positive
change continues in the Northwestern Division and subsequently across the Corps of
Engineers.
Direlle R. Calica Lynda L. Walker
NWD NWD
Liaison Liaison
2005 to present 1995 thru 2004
V

The Northwestern Division and Portland District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
contracted with Historical Research Associates, Inc. (HRA) in 2004 to prepare A Portrait
ofthe Tribal Liaison Program 1987- 2005 by recording oral interviews with Corps liaisons.
Included here are the transcripts of the oral interviews and a brief introduction of the
overall events and changes in policies that brought about the creation of the liaison
program.
HRA
historians consulted with Vickie Tomberlin, Information Management, and Lynda
Walker, Native American Coordinator, in identifying individuals to be interviewed.
Interviewee selection was based on availability as well as familiarity with the program.
There are many persons who were referenced, and not interviewed due to situational
and time constraints, that remain equally talented and served as catalysts to growth of
the division.
The division acknowledges those current and former Northwestern Division tribal
liaison appointees at Northwestern Division Headquarters and the five district
locations for their input offering a balance ofbusiness and personal information. The
division would like to thank Mr. Charles Smith, Assistant for Environment, Tribal
and Regulatory Affairs - Office of theAssistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works),
and Dr. Georgeie Reynolds, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Tribal Liaison Program,
Headquarters, Washington, DC for participating in the project. The division would also
like to thank Dr. John Lonnquest, Office of History, for reviewing the history.
The division ends with acknowledgements to Ms. Carol Hastings, graphic designer of
the Portland District Visual Information Branch, for providing invaluable assistance
with the design, layout, and production of this publication.
All photographs, maps, and illustrations used in this book are from the U. S. Army
Corps of Engineers unless otherwise credited.
Vickie Tomberlin
Records Manager,
Northwestern Division
VI