Aanii fellow Tribal members and interested readers

Chief Maynard Kahgegab

10/2/2003 12:00:00 AM

Aanii fellow Tribal members and interested readers:

When Tribal Council came into office, we took an oath and made a pledge to the Tribal Community to take back our government and increase the social and economic quality of life for our Tribal members. Since taking that pledge, Tribal Council has implemented a bold new vision for the Tribe, which includes increasing individual benefits paid to Tribal members and building a new social infrastructure consisting of new program facilities such as a residential treatment and domestic violence center.

The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe has extended a "good neighbor" policy to local governments and assisted them in obtaining funding for projects such as roads and airport improvements despite outrageous and speculative attacks by local government officials and local newspaper reporters who want to serve as Tribal law experts. Tribal Council does not believe that the voice of a few self-serving attention seekers is representative of the entire population and therefore continues to extend a "good neighbor" policy for the majority of residents.

Many Tribal members have asked what they can do to help in continuing with the positive efforts and program outcomes. Your support is greatly appreciated and has assisted Tribal Council in making our Tribal government stronger and program outcomes successful for Tribal members. Tribal Council came to office to solve problems and not pass them on to others. This includes issues ranging from enrollment to education, health care and public safety. Tribal Council is currently implementing new program initiatives such as Tribal road enhancements, language and culture preservation, water and sewer infrastructure, and alternative energy. This, however, is merely a small sample of what Tribal Council is developing for the Tribal community. Other initiatives include protecting our economic sovereignty from attacks that will take from our Tribal community needed resources to sustain a quality standard of living and offer quality government services such as health care and education for our children.

It is a new beginning for our great nation and Tribal Council is ready to take on the challenges that face our Tribe and continue to deliver increased benefits to our members, while at the same time securing our social and economic prosperity. I wish to thank you for your interest in our government and views as expressed in the Tribal Observer. You are personally invited to visit our reservation and share in the history and culture of our Tribe. To learn more about our Tribal government, please visit our government web page at www.sagchip.org.

Miigwetch

Chief Maynard Kahgegab, Jr.