Here.
News Coverage of LRB Tribal Law Labor Deal
Here.
Michigan Indian
LTBB Council Sends Letter to MGCB to “Clarify” Incentive Payment Issue
Here is the article, via Pechanga.
An excerpt:
The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Tribal Council has sent a clarification letter to the state regarding a statement made last month by Tribal Chairman Ken Harrington.
In early November, Harrington told various media outlets that Bay Mills Indian Community’s recently opened casino in Vanderbilt violated an agreement that the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians has in a compact with the state.
In response to this alleged violation, Harrington then announced that his tribe would discontinue making its annual 6 percent economic incentive payment to the state’s strategic fund — which according to the Michigan Gaming Control Board was $2,536,160.32 in 2009.
During an emergency meeting on Nov. 10, the tribal council then voted 8-1 to have Jim Bransky, the tribe’s general council, draft a letter to “clarify” the tribe’s position with the state, regarding its 6 percent economic incentive payment.
The letter, which was drafted and sent to Eric T. Bush, administrative manager for the Michigan Gaming Control Board on Nov. 10, states: “The tribal council would like to clarify that the final decision as to whether the (6 percent) economic incentive payment has been suspended will be made in February 2011, when the 2010 payment is due.
“The decision will be based on a careful analysis of the pertinent compact provisions in light of the opening of Bay Mills Indian Community’s Vanderbilt casino, as that situation unfolds.”
The tribal council goes on to state that, in the meantime, it will continue to set aside the money to make its payment to the state.
The morning after the tribal council’s emergency meeting, Harrington sent out an e-mail to all tribal council members, stating that their actions would have a “negative impact” on the tribe.
His e-mail, dated Nov. 11, reads: “Reverse action like this makes our tribe look divided and weak … what I’m seeing is reactive tribal council activity. I want us to work together.”
Uniting Three Fires Against Violence Opens in the U.P.
From the Soo Evening News (miigwetch to A.K.):
A new independent agency recently opened its doors to bring coordinated help to those who endeavor to prevent and address domestic violence among Michigan’s 12 federally recognized tribes.
While the organization has been in existence for about a year under a planning grant, Uniting Three Fires Against Violence (UTFAV) recently hung its shingle at its headquarters at 531 Ashmun Street in the Sault. The offices are adjacent to the River of History Museum.
“We are a coalition for all 12 tribes to act as a training source, technical assistance and resource center,” said Executive Director Kellie LaVictor.
“There was no spot in Michigan where all the tribes could turn to for any assistance whether it was policy development, grant writing, training or presenting, providing resources and so on.”
She said the help tribes receive through UTFAV is tailored to their needs and includes tribes with more developed anti-domestic violence programs helping tribes lacking them.
The organization’s stated mission is to unite and empower American Indian communities in Michigan to end domestic violence and sexual assault, to collaboratively promote positive change for individuals experiencing violence or abuse and provide resources for safety and advocacy to ensure the physical, mental, spiritual and emotional well-being of American Indians victimized by violence.
GTB & Derek Bailey Look Back on 2010
News article (and video) here, via Pechanga:
TRAVERSE CITY, MI — Tribal Chairman Derek Bailey looks back at 2010 with appreciation.
For him, it’s a year that broke down barriers and allowed him to pursue his goals as a tribal leader.
“When I campaigned to the tribal members I said that one of the commitments I bring forth, if elected chair, would be to increase our presence locally, state wide and nationally. Now I’m not taking away from what past tribal leaders have accomplished, but I wanted to build upon that,” Bailey said.
In the spring, the Grand Traverse Band received national recognition when President Obama announced he would be appointing Bailey to the National Advisory Council on Indian education.
“I know with my appointment to the National Advisory Council of Indian education, early education is a huge emphasis for me…significant brain development occurs between 0-5 years old. The least amount of funding goes in at that time.”
LVD Appellate Court Decision in Election Dispute
Here is the opinion in Pete v. Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians Tribal Council (Matha, J.):
LTBB v. BMIC — Federal Court Filings Seeking to Enjoin Vanderbilt Casino
Here are the materials in Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians v. Bay Mills Indian Community (W.D. Mich.):
2010-12-21 Pltfs Motion forPreliminary Injunction Expedited C
Little Traverse to Sue Bay Mills Tomorrow
News article here.
State of Michigan v. Bay Mills Indian Community Complaint Filed Today
Here: BMIC Complaint.
No injunction sought yet, but one would have to expect one given the federal government’s views here.
NIGC and Interior Opine that Bay Mills Vanderbilt Casino is NOT on Indian Lands and is Therefore Illegal
Michigan Indians in the Civil War, Petersburg National Battlefield
From the National Parks Traveler–Eric Hemenway is quoted extensively on the next page.
H/T Indianz
American Indians in the Civil War? Petersburg National Battlefield is Part of the Story
Submitted by Jim Burnett on December 17, 2010 – 12:34am
The 150th Anniversary of the Civil War is nearly here and a recent event at Petersburg National Battlefield underscored a bit of history that often escapes much notice—the role of American Indians in the conflict.
Estimates of the number of American Indians who fought for either the Union or the Confederacy vary widely; several sources cite numbers ranging from about 6,000 to over 20,000 men. One example occurred at Petersburg, Virginia, and that story has recently received some renewed attention.
Earlier this month, descendents of Company K of the First Michigan Sharpshooters returned to the park to meet with Superintendent Lewis Rogers and his staff and pay homage to their ancestors. Company K consisted entirely of American Indians from Michigan who enlisted in the Union Army.
According to information from the park, “The 1st Michigan Sharpshooters fought valiantly in every major battle in the Petersburg campaign. The American Indians were a memorable presence at the Battle of the Crater, where they were noticed for their composure under adversity. A Union officer described watching a group of them pull their jackets over their faces and sing their death chant when trapped in the crater under Confederate fire. When Petersburg fell in April, 1865, after a nine and half month siege, the First Michigan raised the first United States flag above the city.”
It’s not hard to see how specific details about individual units get lost in the history of the Civil War, and even just at Petersburg. A park publication notes that 800 regiments of nearly 160,000 soldiers served on both sides at Petersburg. That’s a lot of history waiting to be told.
The story of the men of Company K attracted the attention of the park staff as a result of a project at Poplar Grove National Cemetery, which is maintained by Petersburg National Battlefield. The cemetery is the final resting place of over 6,000 Union Civil War soldiers, and the tombstones lie flat on the ground. The park is in the planning stages of a project to replace the stones with new, upright markers that match the original Civil War design, along with other work to rehabilitate the cultural landscape. Studies for the project revealed that some of the men of Company K were buried at Poplar Grove.
“So far, five named Indian graves have been identified, but there are probably more unnamed individuals that have not yet been identified as Indians buried here,” explained Julia Steele, the battlefield’s cultural resources manager. “Of all the amazing stories that occurred here during the war, this is one of the most striking. When we started to research the role of Company K, we were touched by how deeply they were involved in the whole campaign.”
Turtle Talk 
You must be logged in to post a comment.