You can find this and other issues at lrboi.com Namebine-Giizis(SuckerMoon) April 2008 Vol. 5 Issue 4 Per Cap Plan Approved! The Revenue Allocation Plan (Per Cap plan) prepared by Tribal Council in Resolution #08-0123-20 has been approved in record time by the Secretary of the Interior. Details are on page 3. The 2008 Goonignebig (Snowsnake) Tournament was held in February and over ALSO IN THIS 80 people participated. Mack Brushman from the Tribal Historical Preservation Department covered it with his camera. See inside for results and some great photos PUBLICATION starting on page 16 P. 4 - MUSKEGON OFFICE P. 6 & P. 7 -BLAK ASH BASKET CONFERENCE P. 9 -TRIBAL GOV TRANSPROTATION MEETING P.11 -MEMBERS ASSISTANCE Spring Membership Meeting ! Chamber of P.14- INLAND CONCENT DECREE CORNER 8 a.m. Registration begins Commerce (across from Willows) changes are pro-tribe! P. 20 & 21 -LANGUAGE 9 a.m. Information booths open The Greater Manistee Area Chamber of P..24- PROGRAM ASSISTANCE 10 a.m. Informal meeting begins Commerce has adopted Flag ceremony & Prayer a new strategic plan Director Introductions P. 26 & 27 -DIABETIC HEALTH that specifically spells Noon Lunch (served in the event out how they will not P.28- MEMDERS ASSISTANCE center) put up with anti-tribal ATTORNEY Information booths close attitudes or racism. The GMAC represents 1 p.m. Meeting begins businesses across (First hour open to Tribal members only) Manistee County. See 2 p.m. Question & Answer period page 12 for the full Currents Contact Information story. Phone: 1-231-723-8288 ext. 6840 Fax: 1-231-398-6863 4 p.m. Meeting ends Walleye Fishing Changes The 2007 Inland Fishing Decree contained some changes to our fishing for Walleye and in the first of several articles, Natural Resource Director Jimmie Mitchell recaps the changes and other updates to keep you in the know. See page 16 for the story. Namebine-Giizis(SuckerMoon)P. Currents From the Ogema’s Office April 2008 Vol. 5 Issue 4 Mskomini-Giizis / Dataagmini-GiizisP. July/August 2005, Vol. 2 Issue 8 Membership Meeting is set continues to be a priority, for September 27th this year. and hopefully we can have Remember” A lie can travel some changes submitted for half the way around the world As you probably know by approval in the near future. while the truth is still putting now, the Revenue Allocation We invite your suggestions. on it’s shoes.” Plan has been approved and efforts to make quarterly payments to members is Anii, underway. We officially The Spring Membership closed the doors to the House Meeting is here, I just don’t of Flavors on February 29th know which side of this and have the building up for message it’s on. I am writing lease and possible sale. The this message on March 2nd decision was not an easy one Ogema Larry Romanelli but I don’t know when you but because of slow sales Meet ‘N Greet is scheduled from will be receiving it, before or and a hard winter, it became 6-8 p.m. on after the Meeting. apparent that it was necessary. April 11, 2008 And now we can look Friday evening Forward to the Fall As I write this, we are Membership Meeting. At the in the beginning the process March 1st Elder’s Meeting it Bodweaadamiinh of hiring a new General was decided that the elders room at the resort. Manager for the casino and a will not have a conference new Tribal Manager for the this year due to budget cuts government, we have many and therefore we will not be candidates for both positions. combining the two meetings Constitutional change unfortunately. The Fall How would you change your Constitution? Ogema Larry Romanelli and could be made and what River Street, Manistee, MI the Ogema’s Committee is should be revised or taken 49660. looking for your input on out. Here is your opportunity All your comments will possible changes to the Tribal to offer your constructive be given (unedited) to the Constitution which was thoughts. Please write Ogema’s Committee. Good, adopted May 27th, 1998 and down and either e-mail the bad or indifferent, it is your amended on May 13th, 2004. comments or mail them to the Constitution and here is your Office of Public Affairs at the opportunity to share your There has been much Tribal Government. E-mail thoughts about it with your discussion in recent times on your thoughts to currents@ elected leaders. how the Constitution could lrboi.com or mail them to be improved; what changes LRBOI Public Affairs, 375 Government Office Closing Policy You can find our Constituion online at the following link: It is the policy of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians http://thorpe.ou.edu/constitution/ottawa2.html Government offices to remain open during business hours to maintain our commitment to the membership, however in the event of unforeseen circumstances or events, the Government offices Government Closes for the following reserves the right during an emergency to interrupt or reduce the amount of services for a period of time. The following is a list of Holidays occurrences that may be cause for the closure of the Government *New Years Day offices, but is not limited to: *Treaty Recognition Day (March 28th) 1. Natural Disasters *Memorial Day 2. Major Utility Failure *Independence Day 3. Fire *Labor Day The Government offices will not close due to inclement weather. *Reaffirmation Day (September 1st) *Veteran’s Day Emergency closures are determined by the Tribal Ogema. In the *Thanksgiving Day event of an unforeseen circumstance, and the Tribal Ogema is *Friday after Thanksgiving Day unable to make the determination, the Tribal Manager will make the *Christmas Eve Day (Half Day) determination. All emergency closures are announced as follows: *Christmas Day . LRBOI Main Phone Line (888) 723-8288 option #2 Some areas of the government will be continue to be . LRBOI Website at www.lrboi.com available on these holidays, such as Public Safety. Local Media Radio: AM Radio: 1340 and 1450 Currents will inform you of any scheduled closings of the FM Radio: 101.5, 106.3, 102.7, 94.1, and Government facilities. It’s always a good idea to call first Z95 if you are not sure. Local Television: FOX 33, 7 & 4 News and 9& 10 News Just use the toll-free number of 888.73.888. Currents Namebine-Giizis(SuckerMoon) Council News April 2008 Vol. 5 Issue 4 P. 3 NEWS FROM THE DESK OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL RECORDER FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH-2008 Happy Easter to all Weekly listing of work sessions are held by Tribal Council for the Tribal Council agenda, the purpose is to work out issues prior to being voted on at the Tribal Council Meeting on Wednesdays. All Work sessions are open to tribal members as well. Commission Liaisons and the time and day that these meetings occur are: Culture Preservation: Whiteloon, and Kelsey 1st / 2nd Thursdays. Elders Committee: Koon, and Kelsey: 1st Saturday of the Month. Tribal Councilors had 26 work sessions Binojeeuk Commission: Alexander, and Beccaria 2nd /3rd Thursdays. (From Jan-31, 2008 to Feb 26, 2008). Gaming Commission: Hardenburgh, 5:30 on Tuesdays. Councilor’s attendance for this month: Natural Resource: Ruiter, and Alexander every Wed @ 5:30. Parsons – 16, Commerce Commission: Parson, and Crampton. Beccaria – 24, Koon – 9, Legislative Liaisons: Crampton, and Hardenburgh. Whiteloon – 20, Ruiter – 14, Enrollment Commission: Crampton, every Monday at 5:30. Hardenburgh – 20, Crampton -3, Housing Commission: Parsons, Hardenburgh every Thursday of the month. Alexander – 20, Kelsey – 7. Warrior Society: Beccaria, 1st of the month. Health Commission: Beccaria, and Whiteloon every Wed at 5:30. NCAI(National Congress of American Indians): Parsons, Hardenburgh, Whiteloon, Kelsey. NIGA (National Indian Gaming Association: Whiteloon, Alexander, Beccaria, Ruiter. Thank you, Kimberly Alexander Tribal Council Recorder Revenue Allocation Plan Passed! In case you haven’t already heard distribution is dependent tribal members’ bank the news, the Revenue Allocation • Per Capita distributions upon the gaming proceeds account. The qualified tribal Plan (Per Cap) submitted to the to qualified tribal members from the previous period member must designate, in Secretary of the Interior has been shall be made on the first (how well the casino did), writing, how they would approved for the Little River Band day of each fiscal quarter. it is not possible to estimate like to receive their per of Ottawa Indians! This plan will (First scheduled payment how much individual per capita distribution.” provide for quarterly payments to as set by this RAP would cap distribution amounts tribal members. be July 1st, 2008) will be at this time. These are the basic facts of the new The plan was approved first by • Eligibility Criteria: • Retroactive Distribution: RAP of the Little River Band of the Tribal Council in a Resolution In order to be eligible No person shall be entitled Ottawa Indians. Againas available earlier this year (#08-0123-20) to receive a per capita to any retroactive payment at press time refer to the actual entitled the “Adoption of Revenue distribution an individual of per capita distribution. resolution for further details. Please Allocation Plan and Authorization must: • Federal Tax. Quoting from watch the Currents for updates. to File Revenue Allocation o Be a ‘qualified the RAP, “The Ogema or Plan with Appropriate Federal tribal member’ an agent of the Ogema shall Authorities.” You may see the full o Be enrolled in the ensure that notification Resolution on the tribal website Tribe no later than is sent to recipients of www.lrboi.com under the Tribal the last day of per capita distributions Council tab.