PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 30 Win Awenen Gaylord, MI Nisitotung 49735 Mukwa Giizis • Bear Moon Official newspaper of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians February 4 • Vol. 32 No. 2 Referendum results Abramson to chair NIHB BY STACEY BOHLEN March 30-31 in Washington, Sault Tribe members ing or within seven days of all WASHINGTON, D.C. D.C. vote on two investment challenges being resolved. — The National Indian Health Former Chairman Reno opportunities: Unofficial For this election, 14,417 Board (NIHB) on Jan. 17 elect- Keoni Franklin, NIHB’s ballots were sent to tribal results announced ed as its chairperson Sault Tribe California area representa- members with 4,980 vot- Unit Director Cathy Abramson, tive, expressed his confidence ers returning their ballots on NIHB Bemidji Area representa- in Councilwoman Abramson BY MICHELLE BOUSCHOR Resolution 2010-226 and tive. as she takes over leadership. SAULT STE. MARIE, 4,850 voters returning their “I am humbled to be elected “Knowing that the Bemijdi Area Mich. — The Sault Tribe ballots on Resolution 2010- chair of the nation’s premiere has the lowest per capita Indian Election Committee announ- 249. American Indian health policy Health Service funding, it is ced unofficial results for two “The board respects tribal and advocacy organization,” very exciting to have a seasoned referenda sent to eligible Sault membership’s right to vote said Abramson. “When you tribal leader from that area to Tribe members earlier this and the referendum process,” think about NIHB’s exciting elevate the issues, concerns and month. All completed ballots said Sault Tribe Chairman Joe contributions to our people’s needs of Indian Country.” returned to the tribe by Jan. McCoy. “The board will con- health just last year — health He added, “NIHB is also 27 were counted in a public tinue to explore business and care reform, Indian Health very excited to support the meeting at Kewadin Casino tation of the Indian Health Care other investment opportunities Care Improvement Act, Special Midwest Alliance of Sovereign Convention Center in Sault Improvement Act, across the state, including in Diabetes Program for Indians, Tribes as they work to create Ste. Marie. — Support the Patient Metro Detroit as provided in the largest increase in IHS fund- an area Indian health board, One referendum sought to Protection and Affordable Care written agreements with for- ing history — I am committed ‘Midwest Area Tribal Health repeal Resolution 2010-226, Act, mer Govs. John Engler and to continue this momentum at Board.’ The time has come to Equity Purchase of Energy — Behavioral and men- Jennifer Granholm that can NIHB working with this excel- strengthen the Bemidji tribes’ Development Company Indian tal health services especially help the tribe achieve our goal lent board and staff.” health status and the creation Energy LLC. The resolu- for youth suicide prevention of economic self-sufficiency. Abramson added, “Tribes are of this area Indian health board tion was approved Oct. 26 programs fashioned after the That’s what we have been invited and welcome to contact will mean there’s a regional by the Sault Tribe Board of Special Diabetes Program for elected by the membership to NIHB or me anytime to share tribal entity to do that.” Directors. The voters decided, Indians, and do.” your ideas on how to move our Abramson’s spirit name by a vote of 2,597 to 2,383, to — Recruitment and retention McCoy urged tribal mem- people’s health forward.” is Wabanung Kwe. She is approve Resolution 2010-226, of health care professionals, bers to get all of the facts on The NIHB Board of a member of the Wolf clan. thereby upholding the board’s childhood obesity, and increas- future proposed referenda. Directors adopted the 2011 She resides in Sault Ste. action. ing Indian health appropria- “We know that with both of NIHB legislative priorities for Marie, Mich., known to the The other referendum tions. these petitions, members were which Abramson will be leading Anishinaabeg as Bahweting. sought to repeal Resolution During the meeting, it was given both accurate and inac- tribal health advocacy. These She represents the Bemidji area 2010-249, Pursuit of announced that the NIHB curate information,” McCoy priorities include: tribes (Michigan, Wisconsin, Settlement of a Land Claim will sponsor a National said. “It is very important for — Preservation of permanent and Minnesota) on the NIHB. With Respect To Property Tribal Health Care Reform those members of voting age reauthorization and implemen- Implementation Summit on See “Abramson,” Page 20 in the Romulus, Michigan to know the facts about any Metropolitan Area. The reso- petition they sign.” lution was approved Nov. 9 McCoy said he hopes Tribe settles 6-year legal battle by the Sault Tribe Board of members understand that ref- SAULT STE. MARIE — tribal leaders determined the the tribe and the employment Directors. The voters decided, erendum elections are expen- After losing the case in Circuit additional costs would have contracts were valid as paid. by a vote of 1,864 to 2,986, to sive and time consuming. The Court and to avoid at least $1.2 placed a significant burden on While this has been a pain- not approve Resolution 2010- cost to the tribe of holding a million in likely additional legal tribal budgets when the chances ful chapter in the history of the 249, thereby overturning the referendum election is more costs that would have resulted of winning on appeal were slim. tribe, the majority of the tribal board’s action. than $30,000. from an appeal, the Sault Tribe Under one settlement in board recognized settling the Anyone seeking to con- “The tribe is a democracy has decided to settle a 6-year the lawsuit, the tribe collected case meant protecting limited test the results of the vote and our members absolutely legal battle in the so-called “7 + $1 million from the Miller funds for projects, services and counts must submit his or must have the power to put 2” lawsuit against a former trib- Canfield Law Firm for its role programs to enhance the lives her challenge to the Election the actions of elected leaders al chairman and key employees. in the case. The firm provided of tribal members. This was not Committee by the end of busi- to a vote of the membership,” The lawsuit was filed by legal advice to former Chairman a decision made lightly, but the ness on Jan. 31, 2011. McCoy said. “But the referen- the tribe in an effort to recover Bouschor on the legalities of majority of the tribal board felt Results will be certified dum process is expensive to about $2.66 million paid by for- paying out the employment they had pushed this case as far and deemed official at the the tribe, so it is not some mer Tribal Chairman Bernard contracts. Under the most recent as was financially prudent and next board of directors meet- See “Referendum,” Page 19 Bouschor to former employees settlement, the defendants’ decided not to risk scarce tribal Dave Scott, Dan Weaver, Jolene attorneys will be compensated dollars on appeals the tribe had Nertoli, Joe Paczkowski, Jim for a portion of their legal bills little to no chance of winning. Janetta, Dan Green and Paul as ordered by the court. The The defendants did not Board paves way for Shagen. The case centered on tribe’s legal team was able profit from their actions. The whether Bouschor was acting to negotiate a settlement of attorney fees and turmoil of six within his authority to pay out $295,000 as full and final settle- years of litigation have taken school move seven key employment con- ment of the matter, which was their toll. The Sault Tribe board tracts. approved by the Circuit Court took every reasonable action SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. Emmett County Circuit and a majority of the Sault to find that measure of justice – In an effort to expand class Judge Charles Johnson and a Tribe board. demanded of membership, and sizes and offer more to stu- Chippewa County jury ruled The courtroom case lasted made sure those involved were dents, the Sault Tribe Board of against the tribe and in favor of nearly two weeks. The case put before a jury in a court pro- Directors passed a resolution on Bouschor and the other defen- was litigated for the tribe by ceeding six years in the mak- Jan. 26 to designate a section dants in November. Five of attorney Bill Horton, renowned ing. of property at the Sault Tribe’s chairman. “It will not only the tribe’s attorneys, including as one of the best litigators In the end, the tribe lost the 320-acre Odenaang housing site increase the room students its staff lawyers, examined the in the state. The tribe fully case and the defendants were off Shunk Road as the site of a have, it will be able to house all case and set the tribe’s odds of prepared for the trial, includ- acquitted of legal wrongdo- future school. The decision is of the classes in one building winning on appeal very low. ing conducting a mock trial ing by a jury that included one just the first step in a lengthy and we may be able to expand Most alarming, if the tribe had and focus groups, to ensure Native American juror. The process, which may take years, more grades by adding more appealed, the tribe would have the message was thorough and board’s wisdom and resolve that will involve moving J.K.L. classrooms.” to put $1.2 million in cash into clear to the jury.