Tribe Increases Minimum Wage Diversity and Shores Grand Opening the New Kewadin Shores Casino Economic in St
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HE AULT RIBE EWS T S Visit us online at www.saulttribe.comT N Mshka’odin Giizis: “Frozen Moon” Win Awenen Nisitotung “One Who Understands” November 3, 2006 • Vol. 27 No. 15 Briefs Tribes focus on Tribe increases minimum wage diversity and Shores Grand Opening The new Kewadin Shores Casino economic in St. Ignace will be celebrating development; their grand opening on Nov. 10. Sault Tribe Greektown Casino's establishes EDC September profits up MANISTEE, Mich. — The fast- Greektown Casino experi- est growing minority population in enced a 15.9 percent rise ($4 America is often the most ne- million) in revenue compared glected when it comes to diversity to last September. The Ontario hiring strategies. smoking ban affecting the Wind- The American Indian population sor Casino, congestion at the today is nearly 4.5 million people, U.S./Canadian border, along with having grown by 53.1 percent increased traffic in the area due from 1990 to 2009, and outpaces to large crowds at Tigers baseball all other ethnic groups. By the games are attributed for the year 2009, they will have almost increase. Greektown Casino also doubled their buying power, to conducted a direct mail promo- $65.6 billion since 2000. Yet this tion along with several television fast-growing segment has not been ads in September. effectively tapped by corporations seeking to diversify both their employee and supplier base. Lease for Escanaba To address this issue, The Little medical center River Band of Ottawa Indians and The Diversity Network co-hosted approved the Native American Business The Sault Tribe Board of Di- Development Conference on Oct. Kewadin Casinos team members were rewarded with a minimum wage increase on Oct. 1. rectors approved a plan on Oct. 25-26 at the Little River Casino The casino followed up the announcement with several team member appreciation events held 10 to lease Suite 210 of the Wil- Resort. Tribal representatives from low Creek Development com- throughout October at all casino locations. Above; Security guard, Marsha Morris of Kewadin around the state met with repre- plex for a period of three years Christmas spins the big wheel for her chance at a cash prize. Photo by Michelle Bouschor sentatives from Wal-Mart, Johnson to meet the immediate need for a MANISTIQUE, Mich. – The of choice in the eastern Upper primarily non-tipped positions. Controls, Comerica, Dickinson new and improved medical facil- Sault Tribe announced they Peninsula and will certainly Additionally, some of the posi- Wright, JP Morgan Chase and ity in Escanaba. Previous plans will follow the state’s lead and allow us to be competitive in our tions that currently have start- others, and with federal and state to construct a building for the increase their minimum wage in recruiting efforts”. ing wages that are just slightly agencies including-Continued new center were retracted due an effort to recognize dedicated According to the Human above the new minimum wage Administration and the Michigan to tribal budget constraints. The Sault Tribe team members and to Resources Department, the will also be adjusted. All current Department of Transportation, to option of leasing was presented remain competitive for jobs in the increase will currently affect team members in departments explore the significant business and approved as an alternate eastern Upper Peninsula. approximately 225 team members where the starting wage is being opportunities available to Ameri- solution. As a sovereign nation, feder- with the majority being Kewadin adjusted, will receive some sort can Indian communities. Partici- ally recognized tribes in Michigan Casino employees. The Sault of hourly pay increase. We are pants discussed business growth Investigation of are not required to follow state Tribe is also adjusting the wage very pleased that the change will strategies, tools for American mandates such as minimum wage; grid of entry level positions to impact many of our front-line Indian suppliers to become more Shores Casino however, the Sault Tribe is in keep parody among those with workers, whom are the backbone competitive in winning contracts The Board of Directors initi- agreement that minimum wage similar job duties. of our many successes enjoyed and pathways for corporations into ated an official investigation into increases are justifiable due to a Tribal Chairperson Aaron here at Kewadin Casinos.” these important communities. the St. Ignace Kewadin Shores weakening economy. Payment added, “I am pleased The Sault Tribe offers a com- "The tribes attending this Casino in an attempt "to deter- Minimum wage increases for we are in the position to offer petitive benefit package including conference have already proven mine the sequence of events Sault Tribe team members took our front-line team members this 401K, health insurance, long-term their business skills by generating leading up to the revelation that effect Oct. 1. Starting wages increase, as it will benefit them disability, supplemental insurance, billions in revenue from gaming the new facility was not suitable increased from $5.15 to $6.95 per the most.” life insurance, paid holidays, and hospitality," said Dennis W. for casino gaming." hour, an increase of $1.80. Tony Goetz, chief operat- vacation and sick leave. To view Archer, chairman and CEO of The Human Resources Director ing officer of Kewadin Casinos the latest job openings visit www. Diversity Network and former Legal hunting age Cheryl Bernier said, “I think this also added, “The wage increases saulttribe.com. Mayor of Detroit. is a great opportunity for the tribe will impact approximately 151 – Continued on page 5. lowered to continue to be the employer casino employees who work in Chapter 21: Hunting and In- land Fishing, subsection 21.512, was added to reflect the lowering Kewadin Casinos lowers gaming age to 19 of the age requirement to obtain a tribal hunting permit. The legal Kewadin Casinos will lower helps to keep us competitive in a wrist band that they will be to identify underage drinkers and hunting age for taking whitetail its gaming age limit to 19 start- the state’s gaming industry, and required to wear during their stay to ask for IDs on any customer deer, bear, or elk with a bow ing Nov. 1, at all casino locations. protects our two percent payments at the casino. Security will also who looks younger than age 30,” and arrow is now 10. The legal According to the tribal gaming to local communities,” said Tony maintain a log to track individuals said Goetz. Essentially, younger- hunting age for taking whitetail compact the Sault Tribe has with Goetz, Kewadin Casinos chief who are under 21. looking adults will have their deer, bear, elk, or other furbear- the state of Michigan, the casino operating officer. Currently, eight Additional procedures have also ID checked twice, once at the ing animals with a firearm is 12. can lower its gaming age limit as of Michigan’s tribal casinos allow been put in place to stop under- entrance and again if they try to All hunters under the age of 17 low as 18 at any time. legal adults to gamble at their age drinking. “Along with the purchase an alcoholic beverage. actively engaged in hunting or “The decision to allow those 19 reservation casinos. identification checks at all gaming If a minor is caught drinking trapping, must be accompanied – 20 to game is a business deci- All sites will have a podium entrances, we will increase the in our facility, he or she will be by a parent or guardian 18 or sion that will allow us to be con- located at each entrance where number of security guards to removed, tribal police will be older. To review Chapter 21 of sistent with other Michigan tribal identification will be checked and check IDs on the gaming floor. contacted and they will be banned the Tribal Code in its entirety, casinos. It gives all legal adults those customers under the age of All servers and bartenders are from all Kewadin Casinos until please visit www.saulttribe.com. access to our gaming properties, 21 will be identified and issued trained through a “TIPS” program they are 21 years old. In This Issue Unit II two percent funding 15 News 3&5 Walking on 17 Chairperson's report 4 Contract Health 19 Board brief 6 ACFS 20 Representative reports 7-9 Community Health 21 People 10 Calendar 22 49735 Education 11 Advertising 23-28 MI Gaylord, Permit No. 30 No. Permit Health 12 PAID Around the tribe 13 Postage U.S. Smoke fish camp photo gallery 14 STD PRSRT APPY HANKSGIVING Page 2 H T NOVEMBER 3, 2006 • THE SAULT TRIBE NEWS WE WISH YOU A SAFE, HAPPY AND WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING! Aaron Payment Cathy Abramson Joseph Eitrem Todd K. Gravelle Chairperson Unit I Representative Unit I Representative Unit I Representative The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Board of Directors DJ Hoffman Dennis McKelvie Unit I Representative Unit I Representative Lana Causley Robert LaPoint Keith Massaway Fred Paquin Unit II Representative Unit II Representative Unit III Representative Unit III Representative Denise Chase Tom Miller Shirley Petosky Unit IV Representative Unit IV Representative Unit V Representative November 3, 2006 • THE SAULT TRIBE NEWS NEWS Page 3 Testing deer for chronic wasting disease BY BRENDA AUSTIN About 14 people from the Sault Tribe, Bay Mills, Grand Traverse Bay Band, Little Traverse Bay Band and the Little River Band recently attended a training on chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer by Carl Pocan, wasting disease biologist with the Native American Fish and Wildlife Service (NAFWS). The group was taught how to safely collect tissue samples to be sent to a lab for testing and how to safely field dress a deer to prevent possible infection from disease.