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1 the Mohegan Tribal Government the Tribal

1 the Mohegan Tribal Government the Tribal

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The Tribal Government

The is a sovereign, federally recognized Indian nation. Its reservation is located on the Thames River near Uncasville, . The Mohegan Nation exercises full civil jurisdiction and concurrent criminal jurisdiction over its lands.

The Tribe is governed by a Tribal Constitution, which empowers a nine-member Tribal Council to serve as both the legislative and executive branch, and a seven-member Council of Elders which is responsible for judicial oversight and cultural integrity. The Chairman of the Tribal Council, currently Kevin Brown “Red Eagle,” serves as Chief Executive of the Tribe. The Tribal Council and Council of Elders serve four year, staggered terms. A Tribal Court system exists to adjudicate constitutional as well as civil issues.

Other Tribal leaders include Chief Many Hearts, Doctor Lynn Malerba, Medicine Woman and Tribal Historian Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel, Pipe Carriers Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum and Christopher Harris “Painted Turtle,” Firekeeper Jay Ihloff “Two Trees,” and Lodgekeeper Charlie Strickland “Two Bears.”

The Tribal Government has numerous administrative departments, including Cultural and Community Programs, Education, Library and Archives, Gaming Commission, Health and Human Services, Housing Authority, Public Safety, Utility Authority, Land Preservation and Planning and Environmental Protection.

Current enrollment of the Tribe stands at approximately 2,000 individuals, most of whom reside in Connecticut near ancestral Tribal lands. The Tribal Council and Management Board:

Front row (left to right): Corresponding Secretary Kathy Regan-Pyne; Chairman Kevin Brown “Red Eagle;” Ambassador Mark F. Brown; Vice Chairman James Gessner; Councilor Joe Smith

Back row (left to right): Councilor Bill Quidgeon; Recording Secretary Cheryl Todd; Treasurer Thayne Hutchins; Councilor Sarah Harris

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Council of Elders:

Back row (left to right): Christopher Harris; Laurence Roberge, Chairman; Beth Regan, Secretary; Bill Gucfa

Front row (left to right): Sharon Maynard; Charlie Strickland “Two Bears,” Vice Chairman; Marie Pineault, Treasurer.

Quick Facts:

Federal Recognition The Mohegan Tribe received formal recognition in March 1994.

Membership The Tribe currently includes just over 2,000 members.

Office 13 Crow Hill Road Uncasville, CT 06382 (860) 862-6100 www.mohegan.nsn.us

Leadership:

Tribal Council Council of Elders Kevin Brown “Red Eagle,” Chairman Laurence Roberge, Chairman & Justice James Gessner Jr., Vice Chairman Charlie Strickland “Two Bears,” Vice Chairman & Cheryl A. Todd, Recording Secretary Justice Kathy Regan-Pyne, Corresponding Secretary Beth Regan, “Morning Deer,” Secretary & Justice Thayne D. Hutchins Jr., Treasurer Marie Pineault, Treasurer & Justice of the Peace Mark F. Brown, Ambassador Sharon Maynard, “Accomac,” Elder & Justice William Quidgeon, Jr., Councilor Bill Gucfa, Elder & Justice Joseph William Smith, Councilor Christopher Harris “Painted Turtle,” Elder & Sarah E. Harris, Councilor Justice

Cultural Leaders Executive Staff Chief Many Hearts, Dr. Lynn Malerba, Chief Philip M. Cahill, Chief Operating Officer Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel, Medicine Woman Charles F. Bunnell, Chief of Staff, External and and Tribal Historian Governmental Affairs Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum, Pipe Carrier Helga Woods, Attorney General Christopher Harris “Painted Turtle,” Pipe Carrier Jay Ihloff “Two Trees,” Firekeeper

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The Tribe’s Journeys:

The story of the Mohegan Nation is similar to that of many other Native tribes. Before the arrival of the Europeans, (Chief) brought his people to Shantok and the hills of Mohegan. Uncas believed that cooperation with the English arrivals would ensure his people’s survival, and therefore, developed a historic interaction between his Tribe and the settlers.

Just two years after forming the Connecticut Colony, the English formally recognized the sovereignty of the Mohegan Tribe with the Treaty of Hartford in 1638, a recognition that has maintained through the present day.

For over 350 years, treaties and laws have highlighted the Tribe’s independent status. At the federal level, the unique rights of Native American tribes were further recognized and laid out in the Constitution of the United States.

In 1978, the filed for federal recognition. After an intensive review of over 20,000 pages of paperwork documenting the Tribe’s history, the federal government formally recognized the Mohegan Nation on March 7, 1994, marking the end a long battle for federal recognition as a sovereign nation. This day was a turning point for the Mohegan Tribe and continues to be celebrated annually by the Tribe.

That same year, the Mohegan Tribe decided to pursue gaming as a business strategy, with the goal of returning the Tribe to economic self-sufficiency. In 1996, the Tribe opened on 185 acres of its reservation in Uncasville, Connecticut. Throughout its 20-year history, it has continued to expand into one of the most successful entertainment and gaming facilities in the world with three , award-winning entertainment venues, AAA Four Diamond hotel, 18-hole championship golf course, spa and more. The flagship property continues to grow as construction is nearly complete on a second onsite 400- room hotel projected to open in the fall 2016. It is also home court to two teams owned by the Tribe including the WNBA’s and the Black Wolves team.

In a continued effort for economic self-sufficiency, the Tribe, under the entity of Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE), expanded its outreach to off- reservation ventures in January of 2005 with the acquisition of Pocono Downs Raceway in . After a 1.5 year renovation and expansion, the property – now known as – reopened, marking the first casino in Pennsylvania to offer slot machines. 4

In August 2012, the Tribe made history once again by becoming the first Native American Tribe to take over management of a commercial property when a management agreement to oversee operations of in Atlantic City was signed - further securing financial self-reliance.

To ensure this, the Tribe felt it necessary to diversify its portfolio and in 2014, created Mohegan Holding Company, LLC which focuses on business diversification in non-gaming areas. This includes interests in sustainable energy resources and manufacturing, office digital solutions and franchise restaurants. A company that was founded with two employees now operates over 15 business ventures employing over 500 people and is projected to grow to over 55 franchises nationwide by 2022.

In what could be considered one of the most pivotal moments for the Tribe since federal recognition over 20 years ago, the Mohegans broke international barriers in February 2016 when awarded a license to operate a $5 billion one-of-its-kind integrated resort destination at one of the world’s busiest airports, Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea - putting the Tribe and MGE in a strong position for many years to come.

But for the Mohegans, it is not just about protecting their 2,000-plus member Tribe. It’s about being an integral part of our communities – locally and within Indian Country. Because of our successes, the Tribe has been placed in the unique position to help its fellow native tribes both through community outreach, as well as from a business perspective. The Mohegan Tribe and MGE are currently entered into a management contract with the Cowlitz Tribe in Washington State to help develop and operate a $500 million casino project – ilani—which opened in April 2017.

In 2016, the Tribe, through MGE, also announced a management agreement with Paragon Casino Resort owned by the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe in Louisiana. These agreements will not only provide additional revenue stream to the Mohegans, but helps to ensure the financial future of our fellow natives.

As the Tribe continues onward, we are reminded of something the late Chief Ralph Sturges said shortly after being granted federal recognition. “…until now, they were living in the past. They had nothing but their history. Now, they are living in the future. Now, they can make history.”

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Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE) is a commercial gaming company headquartered in Uncasville, Connecticut at the home of its flagship property, Mohegan Sun. MGE is owner, developer, and/or manager of integrated resorts throughout the United States, including Connecticut, New Jersey, Washington, Pennsylvania, and Northern Asia. MGE are owners and operators of Connecticut Sun, a professional team in the WNBA and , a professional lacrosse team in the . For more information on MGE and our properties, visit www.mohegangaming.com.

Tribal-Owned Properties

A world at play and a world to its own, Mohegan Sun, created in 1996 by the Mohegan Tribe, is one of the world’s most amazing destinations with some of the region’s finest dining, hotel accommodations, retail shopping, live entertainment and sporting events. It is also host to the fabulous Kids Quest/Cyber Quest family entertainment facility, a luxurious day spa, convention and meeting facility, as well as three major entertainment venues with seating from 300 to 10,000. Guests can experience live concerts with some of today’s top headliners, along with major sporting events including Mohegan Sun’s very own WNBA team, the Connecticut Sun and National Lacrosse League team, the New England Black Wolves.

Mohegan Sun Pocono, owned by the Mohegan Tribe, is one of the most welcoming and distinctive and spectacular gaming, entertainment, dining, shopping and harness racing destinations in Pennsylvania. Situated on 400 acres in the scenic hillside of Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Sun Pocono was the first facility in Pennsylvania to have slot machines and is currently home to approximately 82,000 square feet of gaming space including 2,500 slot machines and electronic table games. In addition, Mohegan Sun Pocono offers guests a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. In 2010, Mohegan Sun Pocono made state history by being one of the first casinos to open live table games.

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Sports Teams

In January 2003, the Mohegan Tribe became the first Native American tribe to own a professional sports team with its purchase of the , a Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) franchise founded in 1988. Renamed the Connecticut Sun, the team was relocated to Uncasville, Connecticut, where they are managed by the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority and play home games inside the . Each year after an April training camp, they play a 34 game season (17 at home and 17 away) that lasts from May to August.

The team name comes from its affiliation with Mohegan Sun and the logo-- a fiery orange sunburst, a WNBA basketball and a blue ribbon with four white semicircular domes-- is a modern interpretation of an ancient Mohegan symbol.

In 2014, the Mohegan Tribe announced that the National Lacrosse League (NLL) team known as the Philadelphia Wings was joining the Mohegan family. The team was renamed the New England Black Wolves and relocated to Uncasville where they are managed by the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority and play homes games inside Mohegan Sun Arena. The name was carefully selected to represent the Mohegan Tribe’s heritage as part of the Wolf Clan of the Delaware Indian Nation. Over 400 years ago, the Wolf Clan made their way down through in pursuit of the natural resources along the Connecticut shoreline, representing the “trek” that the team made to Mohegan tribal land.

This was a significant acquisition for the Tribe, as lacrosse is a traditional Native American sport used by tribes centuries ago to train young warriors, and a popular sport throughout New England.

Management Agreements

Resorts Casino Hotel, managed by the Mohegan Tribe, was named the “2011 Casino of the Year” by the Philadelphia Daily News and Philly.com for their groundbreaking and unique initiatives throughout their inaugural year. Resorts Casino Hotel is a full destination resort located on the beach and Boardwalk featuring 942 hotel rooms in two towers, seven dining options, two theaters, spa, salon, health club, pool and more than five bars and lounges. For more information about Resorts Casino Hotel, visit resortsac.com.

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Located on a 152 acre site near La Center, Washington, Ilani, developed by the Cowlitz Tribe and Salishan-Mohegan, a partnership that includes Mohegan Sun, one of the world's foremost gaming and entertainment developers and operators, is the West Coast’s premier gaming, dining, entertainment and meeting destination. At 368,000 total square feet, Ilani includes 100,000 square feet of gaming space with 2,500 slots and 80 gaming tables; 15 different restaurants, bars and retail outlets and a 2,500-seat meeting and entertainment venue hosting nationally recognized performances. Ilani opened in April 2017.

Consulting Agreements

Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville, Louisiana offers the best of all worlds. A world-class casino packed with the most popular slots and tables, a full-throttle poker room and a thrill-a-minute off track betting parlor. It is also home to lavish hotel accommodations with more than 500 rooms and suites, as well as an indoor tropical pool with swim-up bar, full-service spa, three-screen cinema, fabulous dining choices, retail shops, championship golf courses and live entertainment.

Future Development

Mohegan Sun’s multi-phase development project named Project Inspire is expected to include, but not be limited to, the following: three-tower luxury hotel complex with 1,350 five-star and six-star guest rooms; over 20,000 square meters of the most sought after luxury retail brands in the world; over 20 food and beverage concepts; a 4,500 square-meter Korean cosmetics and beauty hub, promoting Korea’s dominance in Asia in this area; the largest entertainment arena in South Korea with capacity for up to 15,000 attendants for Class-A acts, cultural and arena sport events that have become synonymous with Mohegan Sun properties; a Paramount Studios-themed indoor/outdoor amusement park with 100,000 square meters of the latest high-tech amusement rides; a 33,000 square-meter EcoAdventure Park featuring the latest in indoor rock climbing, zip lining, an indoor rainforest, and an archaeology experience; a 20,000 square-meter casino with 250 tables and 1,500 slot machines and the first and only destination resort in the world with an adjacent private air terminal (FBO).

Additional Future Development Projects include Preston Riverwalk Project and MMCT Venture.

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Mohegan Holding Company, LLC was created by the Mohegan Tribe for business diversification in non- gaming areas, and currently includes interests in franchise restaurants, sustainable energy resources and manufacturing, and office digital solutions. The Mohegan Tribe was founded on the banks of southeastern Connecticut’s Thames River by Chief Uncas in the early 17th century. After its federal recognition in 1994, the Tribe opened the world class casino resort Mohegan Sun on its reservation in 1996. The nine-member Tribal Council serves as the leadership for the sovereign nation, and also serves as the Board of Directors for Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE) in regard to the Tribe’s gaming properties and interests.

Digital Technology Solutions

In 2014, the Mohegan Tribe founded KÔTA, a premium provider of digital technology solutions for managing and producing print, document workflow and visual communications--all from the industry’s most reputable manufacturers and vendors. KÔTA, a Mohegan term meaning “close association,” represents both parent companies’ –the Mohegan Tribe and Leslie Digital Imaging (LDI) Color Toolbox-- commitment to people and service.

KÔTA is set apart by their KÔTA Collaborative Advantage--working closely to identify each client’s needs and goals and procuring best-in- class products and services from a vast number of suppliers. This unique approach ensures each phase – from product selection through ongoing service – is custom tailored to each client’s needs.

KÔTA has been recognized by the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council as a certified Minority Business Enterprise and operates customer showrooms in Shelton and Uncasville, Connecticut. The company services nearly 1,000 units, with month-over-month growth consistently achieved in each month of its first years of operation. KÔTA’s commitment to the environment includes green and sustainability initiatives pairing industry best practices, education and actionable solutions, in order to reduce clients’ carbon footprint.

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Renewable Energy In 2014, the Mohegan Tribe founded Northeast Wood Products, LLC and its core product, ThermaGlo Premium Wood Pellets. These premium wood pellet fuels are environmentally sensitive, and created from wood fiber waste and untreated residue generated from wood processing. Northeast Wood Products currently operates three plants in the central United States serving the domestic retail market, providing fuel for wood pellet stoves and boilers for home heating. Its factories produce high-efficiency, low-cost home heating pellet products that meet or exceed Pellet Fuels Institute and ENPlus A1 quality standards. Northeast Wood Products also manufactures ThermaGlo Fire Bricks and Myron Mixon BBQ Pellets, and is actively pursuing the expansion of products domestically and internationally. 10

Mohegan Restaurants

Arooga’s Grille House & Sports Bar is an innovative full-service casual restaurant and bar with a sports and entertainment focus that combines exceptional food and beverages with unique concepts and proprietary operational strategies. Arooga’s was founded in July 2008 in Pennsylvania, and currently operates numerous corporate locations and has additional franchise locations either open or in development. Mohegan Holding Company entered into a multi-unit agreement with Arooga’s to open fifteen franchise locations by 2019 in Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Several locations are already open including a 9,000 square-foot flagship location at Mohegan Sun with more than 100 big screen televisions, 40 domestic and craft beers on draft and Arooga’s national award-winning food.

Jersey Mike's Subs is a sandwich chain headquartered in New Jersey, with more than 1,500 locations open and under development nationwide. Their mission is to make a difference - one sub at a time - with the highest quality, freshest made sub in the industry; exceptional customer experiences and meaningful community support. The culture of giving at Jersey Mike’s aligns closely with the Mohegan Tribe’s commitment to their local community, as every new location begins with a charitable fundraiser. Mohegan Holding Company entered into a multi-unit agreement with Jersey Mike’s Subs to open no less than twelve franchise locations by 2019 in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Several locations are already open including a consistently high-performing location inside Mohegan Sun.

Smashburger is a leading fast casual "better burger" restaurant known for its fresh never frozen, 100% Certified Angus Beef® burgers that are smashed on the grill to sear in the juices, creating an upscale quality burger packed with flavor and served at a great value. In addition to burgers, Smashburger offers chicken sandwiches, fresh salads, signature side items and hand-spun shakes. In each market, Smashburger offers locally inspired items like a regional burger and sides as well as local craft beer selections. Smashburger began in 2007; as of 2016 there were over 360 corporate and franchise restaurants in 35 states and seven countries. Mohegan Holding Company entered into a multi-unit agreement with Smashburger to open 24 franchise locations in the next several years across southern New England. Several locations are already open; by 2019, fifteen of the 24 are planned to be open and operational.

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Pasta Vita began in 1996 as a wholesale pasta company in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. Co-founded by Rich Cersosimo, a retired IBM marketing manager, and Lou Castanho, a distinguished chef and graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Pasta Vita is Connecticut’s leading Gourmet-to-Go retail business. In 2016, Pasta Vita joined forces with the Mohegan Tribe and Mohegan Holding Company, LLC to create a joint venture, Mohegan/PV, LLC, which operates a location inside Mohegan Sun. The Mohegan Sun location features over 100 of Pasta Vita’s freshly prepared entrees, salads, soups, sauces, breads, vegetarian options, desserts and their famous specialty-striped ravioli.