Meet the 2023 Catawba Nation Election Nominees: Brittany Beck
"I believe I have the experience needed to understand important business issues, communicate with our people, bring a new perspective, and I have the heart to see our tribe succeed."
Update (May 10, 2023): Mrs. Beck is no longer running for office due to a scheduling conflict with the requirements set by the Catawba Nation Election Committee. Please direct questions and concerns to the Election Committee at election.committee@catawba.com.
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 - no edits have been made. 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 candidates 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.
Brittany Beck is running for the position of Executive Committee Member at Large. Check out her responses to our questions below:
What is the most important issue for your platform in this election?
Creating new programs/improving current programs to aid tribal citizens in improving their autonomy.
What do you believe qualifies you to be elected for this position?
I believe I have the experience needed to understand important business issues, communicate with our people, bring a new perspective, and I have the heart to see our tribe succeed.
What do you feel you can do for the Catawba Tribe?
I can provide transparency and opportunity to citizens. I feel that I, and the others elected this year, will be able to gain momentum on current issues facing the Nation, as well as working towards a more community based relationship between the Executive Committee and General Council. I would love to hear thoughts and ideas on where the gaps are in services and opportunities.
What steps would you take to build Citizen trust in Catawba institutions?
I believe the first course of action is to look at daily operations for each institution. There is always room for improvement. Evaluation on each institution should be done at least semi-annually to ensure citizens can receive reporting on what was noted as satisfactory and unsatisfactory. In these reports, there should be a plan on the steps taken to rectify any unsatisfactory action. This way, Catawba citizens can trust that these institutions are being held accountable for their service.
What do you believe is the best way for the Election Committee to stay in touch with Catawba Citizens?
I believe being available via phone and in person is important, but I have also enjoyed seeing the amount of citizens you can reach through social media. It is an amazing platform to keep people informed and engaged in what is happening around the community. I would love to see more use of the Executive Committee Facebook page being utilized going forward.
What's one policy or project you would work to implement during your time in office?
I would love to implement a project called Catawba Cares to provide access to different services to citizens that reside on or off the Reservation. I will share more information on what I would love to do with that project as we move further into the election season.
What is your favorite food?
Salmon
Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
Aside from quality services and transparency, I love health promotion. I have been so excited to see healthy foods being planted and grown to share with our citizens. I am always accepting of criticism and ideas. I hope that tribal citizens feel that if they voice a concern, they are not only heard, but action will be taken.