Indian Center director resigns amid criticism
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BY KEVIN ABOUREZK / Lincoln Journal Star
The executive director of the Lincoln Indian Center has resigned her job amid criticism from members of the Lincoln Native community.
Myron Long Soldier, president of the Indian Center board of directors, said the board accepted Mona Bearskin's resignation Nov. 17.
"She's a strong, independent woman, and she'll make a good leader for some other organization," he said. "Here at the Lincoln Indian Center we're looking for progress."
He said he has seen no new programs and little improvement in the center's financial stability since Bearskin began as executive director in April 2003. Still, the center's leadership has learned to work as a team, a fact he attributes in part to Bearskin.
He said criticism from Lincoln's Native population may have motivated Bearskin to resign. Some in the community alleged Bearskin favored certain tribes in her work, Long Soldier said.
It is a common criticism of Indian Center leaders, a criticism Long Soldier said carried little merit.
"She tried to treat everybody equal," he said.
Bearskin could not be reached for comment.
A search committee has been formed to begin searching for Bearskin's replacement. The center's housing director, Bobby Robinette, will serve as interim director.
Her resignation marks the third of an Indian Center executive director in nearly four years. She had succeeded Kay Bursheim, who resigned in December 2002 amid allegations she lied to the center's board about her qualifications.
Long Soldier said Bearskin's resignation highlights the Lincoln Native community's lack of unity.
"We need to come together to make something good out of that Indian Center," he said.
A Winnebago tribal member, Bearskin had previously served as human resources director for her tribe's casino and as dean of institutional research for the Winnebago tribal college.
Board Treasurer Peter Katt stressed Bearskin's success in improving the center's leadership through board training workshops.
"The Indian Center is stronger today than when Mona came," he said.
Katt said he would like to see the center's next executive director be someone with an ability to work with Natives and non-Natives alike.
"We're hoping we can find someone that has the ability to work with the human service community," he said.
Reach Kevin Abourezk at 473-7237 or kabourezk@journalstar.com.
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