Aanii fellow Tribal members and interested readers

Chief Maynard Kahgegab

10/2/2003 12:00:00 AM

Aanii fellow Tribal members and interested readers:

The political environment affecting our Tribal nation has become more dynamic in recent months. The horse track industry has begun lobbying efforts at the state capitol to legalize the operation of Class II-and in some cases Class III-gaming machines at their facilities. This effort will clearly harm the economic sovereignty of our nation and if successful, take from us the very resources that have allowed us to regain self-sufficiency and provide our people with better health care, education and an overall higher quality-of-life. The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe has significantly contributed to the state economy by providing a higher standard of living to thousands of employees and a robust environment for state-wide businesses to thrive.

Tribal gaming rights are not based on race, according to federal law, but instead on an obligation by the federal government. This obligation includes assisting Tribal nations in restoring their economies, creating greater self-sufficiency and providing quality government services to Tribal members. The Saginaw Chippewa Tribe provides government services to our people including medical care, education and Elders care from the revenues generated by the Tribe's economic enterprises. More than 80 percent of our full-time Tribal employees receive medical, dental and optical insurance benefits. Hence, two significant overall outcomes are achieved. First, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe as both a government and employer provides comprehensive social and economic benefits without costing the state a one dime. Second, when taken in combination with the 2 percent payments to local governments the Tribe provides a form of local revenue that fills the financial hole left by reduced state revenue sharing. For example, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe recently supplemented the Mt. Pleasant Public Schools budget with 2 percent monies of more than $1 million, which were lost in state school aid. Vital jobs and educational programs were therefore saved and quality education may continue.

It is easy to see how threats to the Tribe's economic sovereignty have implications for the mid-Michigan economy. We have yet to see any horse track that has constructed health care clinics, schools, Elders facilities or provided revenue enhancements to local schools to save jobs and programs from their enterprise revenues. You can rest assured that Tribal Council will take the necessary proactive steps needed to protect our economic sovereignty and the mid-Michigan economy. Maintaining a vibrant economy and low unemployment levels are key to keeping the local economy strong. You are personally invited to visit our reservation and share in our culture and heritage. I greatly appreciate your interest in our views as expressed in the Tribal Observer. To learn more about our government operations and activities, please visit our government web site at www.sagchip.org.