Bismarck Tribune - North Dakota News - American Indian museum director had large travel budget

American Indian museum director had large travel budget

Dec 29, 2007 - 04:06:32 CST

WASHINGTON (AP) - The former director of the National Museum of the American Indian spent more than $250,000 in Smithsonian funds on first-class transportation and luxury hotels over the past four years, according to records obtained by The Washington Post.

During that time, W. Richard West Jr., was away from Washington for 576 days on trips that included speaking engagements, fundraising and work for other nonprofit groups. West recently retired from the director's post, but remains on the payroll until the end of the year.

West's travel often took him far from American Indian culture. There were more than a dozen trips to Paris, and there were also trips to New Zealand, Greece, Indonesia and Singapore.

West said all his trips were approved by supervisors and that part of his job was to be a global emissary for the museum.

"There is no point at which these activities were being carried on in anything but an open way and with the approval of the Smithsonian," he said.

Jacqueline Johnson, executive director of the National Congress of American Indians, defended West's outreach efforts.

"Under his nearly 18 years of leadership, the museum raised over $155 million for construction, programming, outreach, exhibitions and endowment," Johnson said in a statement to The Associated Press. "I think that record speaks for itself."

Smithsonian officials have been under scrutiny following accusations of spending abuses by Lawrence Small, former secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, which includes the National Museum of the American Indian. Small resigned last March amid the criticism.

At the time of West's travel, top Smithsonian officials were allowed unlimited leave with pay. That policy has been changed in the wake of Small's resignation.

West, a 64-year-old Harvard University-trained historian and member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes, was hired in 1989 to oversee planning for the flagship museum. He led a campaign to raise $155 million in private funds, which helped pay for the museum's construction and the Cultural Resources Center.

"I thought his travel would wane once the museum opened, but it didn't," said Ann Ruttle, a former financial specialist at the museum who worked extensively with institutional travel records at the Smithsonian's main office.

Ruttle said she believes West traveled more than any of the Smithsonian's museum directors.

West is on the search committee for Small's replacement.

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Comments

Online Editor wrote on Jan 11, 2008 9:03 AM:

" To To: L Lost: We don't allow name calling. "

dakotaboy wrote on Jan 11, 2008 6:59 AM:

" Did ANYONE read the sentence" some of the travel was for OTHER non-profit groups? This is the part that is wrong. These other groups should be responisble for the their travel costs!! "

To: Lost wrote on Jan 11, 2008 6:46 AM:

" Too many probably's in your comment. Any facts you have would be great. 1st class tickets for him and the people he was asking for money? It sounds like the meetings were held on the airplane. Why the need for 1st class hotels?
Dakotaboy "

enough already wrote on Jan 4, 2008 5:50 PM:

" geez, some of these comments are not even relevant. some people are commenting on things that have nothing to do with this story. stay focused. "

to dIJ wrote on Jan 4, 2008 3:24 PM:

" It's is true what you said, I agree with you and I am an Indian!! The only ones who can do anything about this is the people themselves. But alot of these street people are related to the very ones who are elected officials. This type of behavior was not tolerated years ago, ask the Indian communities to use the JTAC money to clean up their communities. BUT this is not the topic to respond to here, this colume has taken an 180 degree turn. "

To: dlj wrote on Jan 4, 2008 3:20 PM:

" awsome comment, there's alot of people who feel the way you do, I grew up on SR too, seen all the things you said plus more. The simple fact is, that people love controversary, especially the crowd from the logo situation. You can see how they bring that issue to this blog, everything and everybody is racist to them. Their main defense to everything is racism; logo, director, alcoholism, teen pregnancy, economic failure, etc. If we only get rid of this logo, all our problems are going to get fixed. "right", wish there were more people like you who see the bigger picture. "

right on wrote on Jan 4, 2008 3:06 PM:

" dlj is right on. we shouldn't assume but we do because of first impressions. "

Lost wrote on Jan 4, 2008 12:26 PM:

" dlj post should be removed now. Just because of the Lysol part. To much detail for kids. Thank you. "

dlj wrote on Jan 4, 2008 10:55 AM:

" Where does all of the racist and defensive remarks from the SRST posters come from. Where in this article does it mention that Mr. West is even an american indian. I assume he is but the article says American Indian Museum Director. This story is about the director that works for the Smithsonian. To me it is more about the Smithsonian allowing this to happen. It just happens that it is the Director of an American Indian Museum. Now there are people turning this into the UND logo story. If you people would spend as much time stopping the things that give others reasons to make racial comments, as you do looking for someone who had made a racial comment so you can destroy them it would be a better world for everyone. I am not making an excuse for the racist out there, because there are some people who are just racist no matter what. I grew up on a reservation and know what I saw every day. I saw the drunks walking on the streets asking you if you wanted to buy some commodities so they could go buy more booze, I saw the people buying lysol so they could get there daily high. These are the things that people off the reservation saw as well and they are left with a racist opinion of the reservation. Most people never see the good people that live on the reservation because of there first impression. Why don't those of you that are on here complaining about a meaningless little story like this spend your time to improve the first impressions of people who really don't know, rather than looking for them, to rip them and destroy them, because they really don't know anything more than what there first impression of reservation life is about. "

Lost wrote on Jan 4, 2008 9:33 AM:

" Well dakotaboy, as far as West's travel, he probably had to take first class to sit with the people that he was lobbing for money. As far as the luxury hotels, there are some places in this country and around the world. That when you go there that that is all they have is luxury hotels. So unless he packed along his tee pee. He probably had no choice.

Now about WSI and pomeroy. That is a non issue. Stupid. WSI is a state program period. He is our federal representative. That is why he went to Iraq. So he could judge first hand how it was going, so he would know how to vote on it.

And a week is to long to leave a story on the front page that is a federal issue. "

dakotaboy wrote on Jan 4, 2008 6:50 AM:

" F.Y.I. - I also think Pomeroys 4 or 5 trips to Iraq was a waste. If I was in the military, seeing Pomerroy would not help my spirits by any means. Why would he need to go to Iraq 4 to 5 times?, Its not like he has any power in Washington. I haven't seen many articles on his trips. Maybe he could spend the time looking at ways to improve W.S.I. "

tonto wrote on Jan 3, 2008 7:56 PM:

" 250k for 155 million, get real north dakota your small minds and outlook is truely amazing. "

SE Forty wrote on Jan 3, 2008 7:21 PM:

" Some people just have bigger travel budgets than others. Get over it. "

dakotaboy wrote on Jan 3, 2008 5:14 PM:

" Maybe if he wanted to do more for the people,he could have flown standard class and stayed in standard hotels and asked that the money be given to the tribe. Great concept..not even considered, my guess. "

dakotaboy wrote on Jan 3, 2008 5:11 PM:

" For those of you who think $250,000 isn't that much for travel, get a clue, do you read the words 1st class transportation and luxuary hotels, while working for OTHER non-profit groups. Maybe since he did so much for Standing Rock, maybe they can pay for his travel, when he's traveling on their behalf. "

Lost wrote on Jan 3, 2008 5:03 PM:

" To Delilah YB, Thanks for the info. This is nice to here. I have not seen either of these stories in our tribal newspaper. Hopefully someday they to will start covering some of the harder issues. But tell then we will have to take what we can get. "

to: Delilah YB wrote on Jan 3, 2008 2:35 PM:

" Good point, you don't see those stories here, you see alot of other places who see the good in getting those stories out there, like the one you mention. I wouldn't say bismarcktribune contributes to the hate that goes on in the state, maybe nobody sent them the article you mention. Maybe now that their aware of it, maybe they will print it. I would like to think that our state has progressed far enough to start printing positive stories about Natives... idk, could be wrong,,, guess we'll find out.... "

xit wrote on Jan 3, 2008 1:43 PM:

" you know when a story involves a n8tive the paper will run the heck out of it .this story has been running for awhile. the story bout the day care employee .who slapped that lil kid .only ran bout a day .an the judge who slapped him on the wrist to me that story was more importanta life is worth more then money what a sad newspaper "

Delilah YB wrote on Jan 3, 2008 1:30 PM:

" First Native woman sworn in as U.S. Attorney
First Native woman sworn in as U.S. Attorney
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Filed Under: Law | National | Politics
Now there was this article in Indianz.com and has been out there for awhile. Why couldn't the Bismarck Tribune have printed this one too. Personally, I feel the Bismarck Tribune contributes to the 'hate' that goes on in ND.
"Diane Humetewa, a member of the Hopi Tribe, made history on Tuesday when she was sworn in as the U.S. Attorney for Arizona.
Humetewa is the first Native American woman to serve as U.S. Attorney. She was confirmed by the Senate on December 13, having been nominated to the post by
President Bush on November 15. "
This was in Indianz.com as with the article about West.

Diane Humetewa, a member of the Hopi Tribe, made history on Tuesday when she was sworn in as the U.S. Attorney for Arizona.

Humetewa is the first Native American woman to serve as U.S. Attorney. She was confirmed by the Senate on December 13, having been nominated to the post by President Bush on November 15. "

Lost wrote on Jan 2, 2008 4:44 PM:

" I wonder why people come on these blogs, and pick on the messenger. Thanks for the information. "

Dougy wrote on Jan 2, 2008 3:08 PM:

" Why on Earth does the Tribune feel the need to publish this? $250,000 in 4 years is only about $60,000 a year. Those who are unfamiliar with directing a institution like this don't understand the amount of travel necessary to recruit money and interest in order to expand. It seems like a platform for ignorant people to give creed to their misguided views. Do you think he was the only one that the Smithsonian was buying first class tickets for? "

Yeah.... wrote on Jan 1, 2008 6:28 PM:

" ....I read this in another paper quite a while ago. Typical! "

MHA Nation Rezident wrote on Jan 1, 2008 3:27 PM:

" Sounds like Texx Hall!! "

PO3 wrote on Jan 1, 2008 10:37 AM:

" The school board in Twin Buttes wins this contest hands down. This guy is an has been compared to others when it comes to lots of travel. "

Just Think! wrote on Dec 31, 2007 10:38 AM:

" Standing Rock's Chairman beats this. How many times has he traveled to New Zeeland and California (trying to get into movies)? Did he bring in any money? No instead he is borrowing millions on JTAC or Casino funds and smiles like it's his money. Just think about the millions and millions of interest that your children and grandchildren have to pay back. Remember when your Chairman was put in his place by Senator McCain. He embarrassed Standing Rock by his arrogance. At least, Mr. West brought in money for the institute. Standing Rock has to pay interest forever. "

Just another example, wrote on Dec 31, 2007 8:28 AM:

" It seems to me that this story is just another example of the effects of the "hostile and abusive" UND logo on our society. I have to beg forgiveness from Unpoetic Justice as I now see the errors of my ways......Not. Nice article by how does this do anything to improve our issues here in the Dakotas?
"

south bismarck wrote on Dec 30, 2007 10:21 PM:

" Sorry I stirred up TO SOUTH BISMARCK but the thing is Mr. West did a very good
job, sorry to have upset you but since our own Chairman is trying to borrow up
to 12 million from a Denver bank speaks for its self. Sorry I offended you and
your chairman. "

curious wrote on Dec 30, 2007 3:14 PM:

" I thought this whole turtle island belonged to the indigenous people, funny how we don't think outside of the box. "

WHY?? wrote on Dec 30, 2007 3:07 PM:

" what an article come on let's write about what this man DID for the Nation Museum for the INDIGENOUS people of North America. I'm sure one has to travel for the purposes of raising funds. LOGIC!! "

From the Rock wrote on Dec 30, 2007 11:23 AM:

" Rick West is one of Indian Country's finest.He followed all the mandates and rules,while he built the NMAI,infant of 30 Smithsonian museums.The mandate of Indian country to return human remains to be buried.Followed congressional mandates for cost-sharing and created precedents for raising private sector $$.New Zealand,Austrailia & many other countries have indigenous peoples with unique and common issues of museum programs. NMAI represents the living culture concept--unique to Smithsonian concepts. "

to south bismarck wrote on Dec 30, 2007 10:00 AM:

" our chairman has brought in more money for Standing Rock than we know. The millions of dollars for Sitting Bull College, and lobbying in the Senate and Congress for our rights and making sure our social programs are still funded instead of being cut completely. I am proud of our chairman, he at least knows how to talk in Washington and around the world, representing SRST in the best way, not bumbling, stuttering and orally defecient or simple minded. The problems on the res are being addressed, funny yoiu can't see that from south bismarck, justn keep on living off the res and living away from the real problems south bismarck. Your choice location of living defines your true position in facing our problems on SRST. Put up or keep quiet. "

south bismarck wrote on Dec 29, 2007 11:50 PM:

" Mr. West and Standing Rocks Chairman have the same travel agenda only Mr.
West brought money in for Smithsonian and the Chairman just travels to travel
and stay away from the res. and the real problems. "

Expositor wrote on Dec 29, 2007 7:01 PM:

" The article doesn't accuse Mr. West of any wrongdoing. The way I understand it, he was doing the job that he was hired to do by the Smithsonian. The harder you do your job of traveling and promoting the museum all around the world, the larger the budget is required to do that. I think he should be commended. "

Notnek wrote on Dec 29, 2007 8:34 AM:

" I am very curious why the paper chose to publish this story. Are we too assume because he is an Indian, that Oh Lookie another redskin doing wrong???? This is Dec. 29th not one word that I can find about the ride from Standing Rock to Wounded Knee. "

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