Linda Jeffers Coombs
Incumbent Council At-Large

I am running for re-election to Tribal Council this November.  My background is in museum work, through which I have become a knowledgeable historian and culture bearer.  I began my career in 1974, naively imagining I could learn everything that my ancestors knew.  Now, 50 years later, I have learned two things. One, our ancestors had a vast and incredible understanding of the Earth and how we should live upon her, both in our homelands and with all of our relations. Two, compared to their knowledge, mine would get lost on the head of a pin (but it's always good to know what you don’t know).

The ancestors lived intentionally, following teachings passed down over thousands of generations. We should keep the Earth as created, ensuring the circle of life continues.  Respect and responsibility were the foremost values of our traditional culture.  Our leaders were chosen for their strength of character, integrity, honesty, loyalty and love for their people, demonstrated through the structure of our society.

The colonization imposed these last 400 years has brought many unwanted and damaging changes.  Today, our tribal administration is not working in the best interests of the Aquinnah people.  Many issues go unaddressed, are flatly ignored, get convoluted or misrepresented – many times for years.

I am asking for your vote so that I can continue to work toward the positive changes necessary for our Tribal administration to function in its greatest capacity.  It has been far too long since our administration has been fully staffed and duly operational to best serve our community.  We greatly need change in our tribal governance to render accountability, transparency, and honest representation.  Only then will we achieve real progress that truly supports our community. 

Your vote can make that happen.