Sault Tribe Employees Give $14,093 to United Way Tribe Seeks Approval
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PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 30 Gaylord, MI Win 49735 Awenen Nisitotung Ziisbaakdoke Giizis • Maple Sugar Moon Official newspaper of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians March 4 • Vol. 32 No. 3 Sault Tribe employees give $14,093 to United Way Photo by Brenda Austin TRIBAL TEAM —The Sault Tribe United Way workplace campaign committee met and finalized Sault Tribe’s 2011 campaign ac totaling $14,093. This committee works hard all year and hosts a variety of fundraisers including a bake sale and face painting at sidewalk sales and a soup and fry bread event, adding to Sault Tribe employee contributions. Pictured above are (L-R) United Way Director Tracey Laitinen, Sault Kewadin Casino’s Rachel McKechnie, Kewadin Shores Casino’s Bridgett Sorenson, Sault Tribe Payroll’s Lisa Moran, Sault Tribe Housing Authority’s Sheila Berger, Sault Tribe CFO Office’s Daraka Hudecek, Anishnabek Community and Family Services’ Teri Romano, Sault Tribe Executive Office’s Mindy Kavanaugh and United Way Campaign Co-Chair Mary Jo Barck of WMH. (Missing from the photo are Sault Tribe Health Center’s Connie Watson and Tribal Court’s Danielle Christie.) Tribe seeks approval for Two new referenda spark controversy Romulus casino SAULT STE. MARIE tling the cases caused disap- The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of In the coming months, stands to make a significant Chippewa Indians has partnered Sawruk will hold public forums profit,” McCoy said. “But he — Eligible Sault Tribe mem- pointment for most of us, the with a successful businessman throughout the Upper Peninsula is taking all of the financial bers will be asked to vote on board took actions that were in originally from Sault Ste. Marie where Sault Tribe members can risks. And if he succeeds and two more referenda in March the best interest of the tribe by on a new proposal to settle the learn more about the project. our land claim is approved in — despite the fact neither cutting our losses and protect- tribe’s unresolved Charlotte “There is no financial risk Washington, the tribe will have proposal’s outcome will have ing our limited resources.” Beach land claim by seeking to the tribe or our members complete and total control over any effect on the tribe. “I have been asked repeat- federal approval for a new under our agreement with the casino that we would devel- The referenda, which will edly why certain people would casino in the Detroit suburb of Mr. Sawruk,” said Sault Tribe op in Romulus with Mr. Sawruk cost the tribe about $40,000 want to put two more referenda Romulus. Chairman Joe McCoy. “He is as our partner. That’s how he to complete, seek to reverse to a vote of Sault Tribe mem- While winning Congress- responsible for securing all will make his profit, and it will actions by the Sault Tribe bers knowing full well our ional approval will be difficult, necessary political and legal obviously be a benefit to the Board of Directors that resulted difficult decisions to settle, and tribal leaders believe it is the approvals and for arranging tribe, too.” from two separate Circuit knowing the court cases can absolute right of tribal members financing. He is also putting up Since 2002, the tribe has Court cases involving the tribe. not be reopened by a vote of to pursue a favorable settlement all of the up-front costs. All of tried multiple times to settle the The outcomes of those court tribal members,” McCoy said. in the land claim, a dispute them.” Charlotte Beach land claim with cases cannot — under fed- “We, as tribal members, must involving the illegal taking of McCoy said members should the state and in Washington, eral, state or tribal laws — be guard and respect our right to lands from the tribe dating back not get the impression Sawruk D.C. The Bay Mills Indian undone by a vote of tribal use the referendum process to more than 150 years. Tribal is leading the project for free. Community has a similar claim members because the tribe challenge decisions made by leaders believe the tribe’s new “If he succeeds, he certainly See “Romulus,” Page 12 has signed binding settlement our elected leaders. But at the development agreement with agreements that will save hun- same time, it is wasteful of Michael Sawruk, a successful Romulus Casino Development dreds of thousands of dollars in tribal resources and an abuse developer and business owner additional legal bills and other of the referendum process to who was raised in Sault Ste. Tribal Community Meetings costs. spend $40,000 on referendum Marie, would provide signifi- “The Sault Tribe Board of elections that can’t change the cant benefits to the tribe with no March 2: Elder luncheon, Sault Ste. Marie. Presentation Directors passed resolutions responsible and cost-saving financial risks. 12 p.m., Sault Ste. Marie, by Chairman Joe McCoy, that saved the tribe literally actions the board took to pre- Sawruk has extensive experi- Nokomis-Mishomis Place. unit representatives and Mike hundreds of thousands of dol- serve the tribe’s assets.” ence in Indian gaming, having Discussion with elders after Sawruk lars by settling two cases the On March 4, the Sault Tribe successfully developed five luncheon. Presentation by March 10: Open meeting tribe had already lost or most Election Committee will mail Native casinos. Under an agree- Chairman Joe McCoy, Unit I in Newberry Tribal Center, 5 likely would have lost,” said one referendum ballot con- ment with Sawruk approved representatives pm. Presentation by Chairman Sault Tribe Chairman Joe taining two questions in one by the Sault Tribe Board of March 9: Elder luncheon, Joe McCoy, unit representa- McCoy. “Every attorney we first class envelope to each Directors on Feb. 14, he will 12 p.m., Sault Ste. Marie, tives and Mike Sawruk consulted, from our staff law- eligible Sault Tribe member. be responsible for securing all Nokomis-Mishomis Place. March 11: Elder lun- yers to our contract lawyers, Completed ballots are due project approvals and project More discussion with elders. cheon, 12 p.m., St. Ignace. advised us to settle because back to the tribe by March 25. financing. He has pledged to Presentation by Chairman Joe Discussion with elders after our chances of succeeding Members who receive ballots work with the board and all McCoy, unit representatives luncheon. Presentation by on appeal or in further litiga- are encouraged to read them members of the tribe to success- and Mike Sawruk Chairman Joe McCoy, unit tion were slim to none in both carefully before completing fully complete the settlement March 9: Open meeting, representatives and and Mike cases.” and return- process. 6 p.m. at Kewadin Casinos in Sawruk. McCoy added, “While set- See “Referenda,” Page 9 2 Notes and Notices March 4, 2011 • Win Awenen Nisitotung Cloverland offers 2011 scholarships Newspaper DAFTER, Mich.— days when it comes to financ- application by mail or for more Cloverland Electric Cooperative Applications are now avail- ing a college education,” said information call (906) 632- is a not-for-profit utility located deadlines able for Cloverland Electric Wendy Malaska, Cloverland 5181. in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Below is the Win Awenen Cooperative’s Power of Director of Marketing and One $250 scholarship will providing electricity to 42,000 Nisitotung production sched- Excellence Scholarship. The Communications. also be up for grabs at each of homes and businesses in ule for the rest of 2011. If cooperative will award one Students’ parent or legal Cloverland’s district meetings Chippewa, Delta, Mackinac, there are any questions or graduating high school senior guardian must be a member of held April 26-28. Graduating Luce and Schoolcraft counties. concerns, please don’t hesi- with a $1,500 scholarship for Cloverland Electric Cooperative high school seniors must attend The co-op maintains mem- tate to contact Jennifer Dale- use at a post-secondary institu- and receive electric service the meeting in their designated ber service centers in Dafter, Burton at (906) 632-6398, tion. As part of Cloverland’s from the cooperative. The appli- membership district with a par- DeTour, Newberry and Sault ext. 26073, or send e-mail to commitment to community edu- cant must be enrolled or plan- ent or legal guardian and com- Ste. Marie. Cloverland Electric [email protected]. cation, the co-op has awarded ning to enroll as a full-time stu- plete the “Luck of the Draw” also operates Lighthouse.Net, a more than $17,000 in scholar- dent at an accredited university, registration form available at wholly-owned subsidiary pro- ships since 2002. college or vocational/technical each location. For additional viding broadband service to the DEADLINE PUBLISH “This is a great opportunity school for the 2011 fall term. scholarship opportunities, visit Upper Peninsula. DATE DATE for our high school seniors. The application deadline www.cloverland.com. For more information, visit (Tuesdays) (Fridays) Every little bit helps these is May 2, 2011. To request an Established in 1938, www.cloverland.com. March 22 ............ April 1 April 26 .............. May 6 May 31 ............... June 10 Higher Education — awards and grants June 28 ............... July 8 SUBMITTED BY ANGELINE Tribe Memorial and Tributary publicly-funded community Any questions, please July 26 ................ Aug. 5 BOULLEY-MATSON, EDUCATION Scholarships. The eligibility college or university for full- contact Sault Tribe Higher Aug. 23 ............... Sept. 2 DIRECTOR criteria varies for each particu- time study for an undergraduate Education Programs at (906) Sept. 27 .............. Oct. 7 Fall 2010 incentive awards lar scholarship so please read degree. Students must demon- 635-7784 or send email to Oct. 25 ................ Nov. 4 We are inputting all grade carefully.