Meet the 2023 Catawba Nation Election Nominees: Brian Harris
"It takes a community to raise a community."
Update (May 10, 2023): This and other articles has been updated to reflect the title of “nominee” rather than “candidate”. Sources from the Catawba Nation Longhouse have advised that the final list of candidates may not be available until late May 2023.
Editor's Note: Catawba Future is publishing these statements word for word as received through our Catawba Nation Election Candidate Survey. Due to technical difficulties with our survey system, minor corrections have been made and subsequently reviewed and approved by the nomine. Our goal is to provide transparent insight directly to Catawba Citizens from Catawba Nation election nominees independent of the Catawba Nation tribal government. The nominee responses have been verified by phone to ensure they are straight from the source. The responses of the nominee represent their own opinions and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or opinions of the Catawba Future team. This article is not intended nor should be interpreted to endorse any specific nominee or candidate.
Brian Harris is the second nominee for the office of Chief to respond to our survey. Check out his responses to our questions below:
What is the most important issue for your platform in this election?
As our tribe progresses, I feel that there are multiple issues - not just one issue - for me they need to go together simultaneously. We need to revamp the senior program with more input from them. They know what’s best and what works for them not people on the outside looking in. I believe there is a huge black hole in our housing program that needs to be filled by first educating all involved on NAHASDA over HUD because I find that if you do not do your research, due diligence, and study the regulations that relate accordingly you will mistakingly go by HUD guidelines and not NAHASDA and I feel like this is happening by the complaints I am getting. We need to enhance healthcare and support it with revenue generated from gaming activities and other revenues that are generated to provide for more services and medicines as needed. The Constitution needs to be upheld and Indian Self Determination must always be first and foremost as we Interpret our constitution. The General Council wishes needs to be upheld every time and anytime with transparency that meets the needs of our people. We need to unify as a nation, however you cannot have unity without verity.
What do you believe qualifies you to be elected for this position?
Through the many years I have served our tribe through numerous voluntary positions and paid positions, I have developed the aptitude, attitude, knowledge, and experience along with resolve to maneuver around the political incorrectness and grandstanding to get things done in a timely manner. I know what is needed to absolutely change things from the inside out because I was once apart of the inner circle. I didn’t agree with it then nor do I agree with it now. Some of my accomplishments are as follows:
Served on the Economic Development Board
Served as Chair / vice Chair of the Oversight Committee, helped establish and create bylaws and got them approved by the General Council
Served as Chair of ISWA Housing Board
Served on Veteran Committee USET
Housing Board attendee USET
Served on the Catawba Corporations Board
Served on the Executive Committee
While serving on Executive Committee I was liaison to:
Social Service Department
Housing / Headstart
Culture Center
Economic Development
EPA
ICWA spokesperson for the Tribe
Served on PRC Committee Catawba Service Unit — purchased and referred care
Served as procurement officer for the Catawba Service Unit. Background check with a public trust endorsement to have two government credit cards issued in my name.
Served as Contracting Officer — Catawba Service Unit
Was instrumental on the initial phase of courts/ Justice with Elizabeth Harris
Instrumental in gaming — debating best deals / contracts possible at that time
Employed as Housing Director Employed as Administrative Officer Catawba Service Unit
Currently serve on the Judiciary Committee Recipient of many awards and certificates packed up in a box in storage from all things listed above
York Tecnical College — business
Faulkner State — business
All things listed above were 100% volunteered except for employment listed and Executive Committee.
What do you feel you can do for the Catawba Tribe?
With the experience, knowledge, know how, extensive training in contractual negotiations along with the resolve and ability to see predatory contracts, I feel I can help lead our tribe and thread the financial and economic needles that have always been an obstacle for us, while also adhering to transparency. I also know I’m the person along with a new EC to plan and develop the Green Earth property and the Green Earth Zone so that our Economic Development Arm of the tribe can take off. This will include infrastructure, power, and hopefully finishing the Bridge that Denise Williams has secured the money for and see it finalized. If at anytime I see the need along with the rest of EC members to seek help, that’s exactly what will be done.
What steps would you take to build Citizen trust in Catawba institutions?
I will introduce integrity along with accountability and transparency which in turn will make corrupt policies and long lived practices null and void. These will be replaced with commitment , collaboration to design new strategies , procedures for the times we live in. The good ole boy system will no longer be detrimental to the average citizen.
What do you believe is the best way for the Executive Committee to stay in touch with Catawba Citizens?
I will use my father, my mentor, and my grandfather as an example. There was not a time I can remember that tribal politics wasn’t mentioned on a daily basis in our home. I grew up with it daily. David A. Harris served his people not only in an executive role, but by just being who he was. He grew huge gardens and we rode around on The Weekends in a blue Ford F100 with chicken wire as the grille and gave out food. He would hand people vegetables then talk politics. He taught me how to deal with people, he taught me not to wait for things to happen, and to be a go getter. He taught me to stand on my own feet, not to waiver or to ride the fence. Tell people what you mean and mean what you say. He taught me how to be a warrior and he taught me mercy. He would give people what he had , the shirt off his back. I will use these life lessons to once again get out into the community like I have done before, show more involvement, become active and in step with the wants and the needs of our people. I will try to influence the rest of the EC with these beliefs and traditions and hopefully they will see the value also in doing so.
What's one policy or project you would work to implement during your time in office?
Within four years of gaining office I would love to have completed a Healing / Wellness facility for mental health. Credit Union for tribal employees and tribal members , this is very easy to do. A program for tribal members who need legal assistance, a tribal defender office if you will, staffed with a Lawyer. An enhanced foster/guardian/adoptive program including a home were are children can feel safe until they are back with their families and more financial assistance for tribal members who would like to be foster/adoptive parents. It takes a community to raise a community.
What is your favorite food?
Country Style steak with buttermilk gravy, mashed potatoes, homemade macaroni and cheese with biscuits.
Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
Yes!!! Vote Brian Harris for Chief: The right person , at the right time , for the right reasons!!!