Update

Chief Audrey Falcon

1/25/2005 12:00:00 AM

Boozhoo!

Your Tribal Council has been working on many issues affecting our Tribe and would like to take this opportunity to share them with you.

Much discussion has surfaced regarding the former Washington-based lobbying firms Greenberg Traurig and Capital Campaign Strategies hired by the previous administration. Our Council questioned their multimillion dollar expenditures and we are conducting an internal review of their activity.

Both of these firms have released those individuals (Jack Abramoff and Michael Scanlon) and they have surfaced in many national publications and they are targeted for U.S. Senate investigations surrounding their activities across Indian Country. This is not retaliation against the former chief.

We are continuing to fight the racino issue in the state and have retained Public Affairs Associates, Inc. from Lansing. Representatives of our lobbying firm will be joined by Larry Rosenthal of the Native-owned Washington firm Ietan Consulting. Both firms will be present at our April 18 community meeting and we are looking forward to meeting with you to give a presentation regarding federal and state issues that may affect our Tribe.

Our Council wanted to provide some tax relief to our Tribal members, so we sent out a $2,500 bonus. We are prepared to provide another financial report on April 18 to show our Tribe is in good financial standing.

It is our goal to maintain the current level of per capita payments and any other nameless communication that says different is political propaganda.

There are those who fear open communication with the Tribal membership and a government that is responsive to your needs as Tribal members. Whether it is three new school buses for our Tribal children or allowing our Elders the opportunity to take trips where they want to go, our Council is committed to providing services to our members along with continuing per capita at their current levels.

We realize the desperate strategy of these unsigned, nameless attacks tog et Tribal members to sign recall petitions and remove the Executive Council that favors sharing all information with every Council member. These people are trying to divide our community by forcing a recall of a government that values honesty and fiscal responsibility. These people will be exposed for who and what they are.

The politics of our Tribe will not be dictated by individuals who crave power and their own special interests. Our Tribal Council believes our government works best when everyone is involved. Unfortunately, this Council threatens the authors of those conducting hate mailings and many Tribal members have been complaining to us about it.

If you have any information on who is spreading these vicious rumors against Tribal Council and our employees, contact any of your Council members or the Tribal Police Tip Line at (989) 775-4775.

In the March 1 edition of the Tribal Observer, it reported on the Tribal Summit where the 12 federally-recognized Tribes came together on Feb. 20. The purpose of the meeting was to find if there is any common ground between the Tribes in our fight against the racinos in Michigan. We are meeting again in Sault Ste. Marie on March 15 and 16 to discuss this issue further. At our March 2 Council meeting, we passed a resolution that voices our opposition of racinos in Michigan. Our Council has not entertained any discussion on paying any percentage (including 8 percent) of our gaming profits to the state. We give a lot of dollars to the state through providing many jobs and supporting a tourism industry that benefits all residents. The opening of Ziibiwing Center in May is another example of our commitment to cultural tourism.

Our next monthly Council meeting is scheduled for April 6. We encourage more Tribal members to be involved in our government and welcome you to write us with any questions you may have regarding our Tribe. We appreciate all your support and all the congratulatory cards and letters we receive. God bless you all. And for those who are challenged by representative government...we will continue to pray for you too.

Miigwetch!

Tribal Chief Audrey Falcon