The MHA Nation Tribal Business Council is responsible for a multi-billion dollar tribe and its assets generated by oil and gas revenues, federal funds, and tribally owned business ventures. Randy Phelan, Frank Grady, and Delvin Reeves were charged in 2020 with "one count of conspiracy and one count of federal programs bribery". Randy Phelan (formal Mandaree representative) pled guilty to "conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, honest services wire fraud, and bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds" in October 2022. In March 2022, Frank Grady (formal Four Bears Representative) "plead guilty to accepting bribes and kickbacks from a business owner in exchange for using his position to award projects . . . one unnamed contractor was paid more then $17.2 million by the MHA Nation and its political districts, or segments". Delvin Reeves (tribal worker appointed by Randy Phelan) pled guilty to "one count of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds". Currently, the covid relief monies have been called into question whether the funds were used for the purpose of diminishing the effects of covid-19. To our knowledge, one disbursement from this fund was allocated to the tribally enrolled members. Also, the federal government preformed an audit to find out how these funds were spent and found evidence of approximately $400,000 was mismanaged. The Tribal Business Council has not completed thorough financial audits since fiscal year 2014. This impacts tribal members ranging from infants to elders, tribal members especially the elders feel exploited and disrespected by the lack of financial transparency, causing mistrust of elected representatives. Additionally, the potential aid to tribal members could be greatly effected by the mismanagement of tribal funds. 

So, to hold the other segment representives accountable, their budgets and accounting practices should be reviewed and accessible to all enrolled tribal members upon request. Additionally, other departments, including but not limited to housing, roads, tribally owned businesses, and segment run programs, should provide financial audits and progress reports (e.g. work orders received, work progress, and completion). 

The Office of the Ethics Commission and the MHA Nation Ethics in Government Ordinance has the power to enforce this duty as described in the constitution. According to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Three Affiliated Tribes of The Fort Berthold Reservation, Artical 1 Section 3 states, "The books and records of the treasurer shall be audited at least once each year by a competent auditor employed by the council, and at such other times as the council or the Commissioner of Indian Affairs may direct. The treasurer shall be required to be under a surety bond satisfactory to the council and to the Commissioner of the Indian Affairs." 

If the audits are not performed, this gross mismanagement of tribal funds will continue and responsible appointed persons will not be held accountable. However, if these financial audits are performed, tribal members can see where their funds are being allocated. Tribal members will gain back confidence in elected representatives and understand the decisions they make. Ultimately, these tribal funds will affect future generations of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation.