On Nov. 25, the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Council gave Elders, youth programs
and education priority funding of $3,108,672.51 at the semi-annual two percent
distribution press conference at the Tribal Operations Seniors Room in Mt.
Pleasant.
See Isabella Co. Area distribution details.
See
videos from Isabella Co. area distribution
See details
and videos from Saganing/Arenac Co. distribution Nov. 24th.
“As we move into the Thanksgiving holiday with our families we can
truly be grateful for what the Lord has blessed us with,” Tribal Chief
Fred Cantu informs. “In this distribution, Council has once more demonstrated
a commitment on what our government believes will strengthen our communities
for the benefit of all.”
Chief Cantu was joined by all eleven fellow Council members and applauded
their efforts in working through the administrative details of the two percent
process.
Chief Cantu recognized there were 334 applications submitted to Council
for funding, totaling $17,149,456.64. The Nov. distribution marked a twelve-year
low dating back to the 2.2 million given in Nov. 1996.
“Normally, our gaming operation does very well between Memorial Day
and Labor Day,” Tribal Treasurer Simon Jackson said. “The economic
challenge to the U.S. and Michigan is starting to be reflected in the tourism
industry and our Tribe will continue to review ways to maximize our investments.”
Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe (SCIT) Chief Financial Officer Michael Johnson
and SCIT Accounting Controller Jackie Reger assisted Tribal Council in the
distribution process by handing out the checks. Tribal Education Director
William Harrison, Assistant Education Director Angela Mitchell and Tribal
K-12 Coordinator Len Klakulak were recognized for their support in review
of the public school requests.
Mt. Pleasant Public Schools Superintendent Joe Pius mentioned, “sometimes
thank you doesn’t adequately express what these dollars mean” when
hearing of the $901,094.09 support earmarked for his district.
“I’m overwhelmed see the Council commitment to education and
their support of providing technology to the district,” Pius exclaimed. “The
students in Isabella County get to experience the latest technology and many
school administrators would gladly welcome the funding provided by the Tribe.”
The Mt. Pleasant Area Technical Center (MPATC) offers 24 different programs
to schools in Alma, Ashley, Beal City, Breckenridge, Fulton, Ithaca, Morey
Charter, Mt. Pleasant, Sacred Heart, St. Louis and Shepherd and received
$145,645 in funding of vocational programs.
City of Mt. Pleasant Mayor Jon Joslin received a check for $870,000 and
was joined by City Manager Kathie Grinzinger, Mt. Pleasant Parks and Recreation
Director Chris Bundy. The Partners Empowering Our Kids (PEAK) program received
$350,000 in funding for their K-12 after school and summer school activities.
“We serve over 500 youth in the summer along with the Tribal Niibing
Program and about 300 students in our after school programs everyday,” Bundy
said. “Since 2004, the Tribe has provided over 1.5 million to our
program and we couldn’t operate without their tremendous support.”
The Tribe also provided the City of Mt. Pleasant with $245,000.00 to fund
the Youth Services Unit (YSU) that assists community police efforts within
the public schools. Mt. Pleasant City Police Captain Bill Yeagley and Sgt.
Doug LaLone coordinate YSU and their team is an active participant in the
annual Public Safety Day for the Tribe. The City of Mt. Pleasant also received
$150,000.00 to administer the Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team (BAYANET)
and $75,000.00 for the Mt. Pleasant Municipal Airport.
Isabella County Commission Chair David Ling was present with County Commissioner
Roger Trudell and County Administrator Tim Dolehanty and received a distribution
check for $870,000 on their behalf. Isabella County Commission On Aging (COA)
received $450,000.00 to assist their Elders programs.
“To date, our program has received over 1.5 million dollars shows
the Tribe’s commitment to the senior citizens in Isabella County,” COA
Director Brenda Upton exclaimed. “We enjoy working with the Tribal
Elders and staff at the Andahwod facility and we will be able to continue
the work we do with your Elders Program.”
The Isabella County Trial Court received $100,000 for drug prosecution and
reduction and was represented by Drug Court Coordinators Jackie
Zinnia and Kathleen Fields.
“As a former Tribal employee who worked for both Tribal Education
and Behavioral Health, I know the Tribe puts their money where there heart
is,” Fields reflects. “Monies spent that support prevention
efforts and alternative sentencing is a great investment for the future of
our communities.
Fields commended the work of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Court and Tribal
Court Judge Bruce Plackowski efforts in embracing cooperation with the Isabella
Count Drug Court Program.
Since the spring of 1994, the Tribe has contributed $95,601,573.29 in two
percent distributions to local area schools and units of government and $95,866,628.18
in eight percent state contributions from spring of 1994 to spring of 1999
for a total of $191,468,201.47. The state contributions ended when Proposal
E passed which allowed gaming at the Detroit casinos.
On Nov. 24, Tribal Council distributed $737,509.42 in the second
semi-annual payment to schools and government entities in Arenac County. More
details of the two percent distributions including a historic breakdown of funding
will be included in the January 2009 issue of the Tribal Observer.