Ziibiwing Changing Exhibit Opening Saturday

The Dr. Mike and Linda Shinkle Collection: People of the Turtle

The Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture & Lifeways will premiere a new changing exhibition, “The Dr. Mike and Linda Shinkle Collection: People of the Turtle,” on Saturday, January 30, 2010. The Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony to open the exhibition will take place at 12pm. This exhibition will run January 30 – August 7, 2010.

“The Dr. Mike and Linda Shinkle Collection: People of the Turtle” began as an effort to pay tribute to the Eastern Woodland Indian Tribes at a new cultural center in Muncie, Indiana, called Minnetrista. To honor these great people, the founders of Minnetrista which include Dr. Mike and Linda Shinkle of Morton, Illinois, and several Woodland tribal leaders were assembled in an effort to communicate the culture and history of the first people of the land and their story of survival and growth. This consortium of Eastern Woodland tribes and Nations became known as the Minnetrista Council for Great Lakes Native American Studies (MCGLNAS). Continue reading

Revenue Sharing Distribution for Grand Traverse Band

Press release here: 2% second half 2009 press release 01-27-10.

Controversy at Little Traverse

From Indianz:

The tribal council of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians of Michigan voted 4-3 to remove two members from the gaming board of directors.

The council removed Dollie Keway and Fred Kiogima in a surprise vote, The Petoskey News-Review reported. Tribal elders had spoken in favor of the board at a council meeting on Sunday, the paper said.

Keway said the vote reflects tensions between the board and chairman Ken Harrington. She says Harrington has been interfering in the hiring process for a general manager at the Odawa Casino Resort.

Three members remain on the board.

Get the Story:
Tribal council votes out two gaming board of directors (The Petoskey News-Review 1/26)

Bankruptcy Court Order Confirming Greektown Reorganization Plan

Here: Greektown Order.

Michigan Supreme Court Hearing on Proposed Michigan Court Rules Involving ICWA

This Wednesday at 9:30 AM, the Michigan Supreme Court will consider changes to the Michigan Court Rule that will “incorporate specific provisions of the Indian Child Welfare Act into the relevant rules that relate to adoptions, guardianships, child protective proceedings, and juvenile status offenses.” The proposed changes are here.

Comments on the proposed changes are here:

William J. Brooks, Chair, Standing Committee on American Indian Law, State Bar of Michigan (12/10/09)

Supplemental Comments (01/25/10)

Honorable Dorene S. Allen, Midland County Probate Court (01/12/10)

Matthew L.M. Fletcher, Association Professor, Michigan State University College of Law; Director, Indigenous Law and Policy Center; and Council Member, American Indian Law Section, State Bar of MIchigan (01/25/10)

Mandamus Suit against Mich. AG to Force Tribal Compliance with State Liquor Laws Fails

Here is the Michigan Court of Appeals decision in Devlin v. Attorney General — Devlin vs Attorney General MI Ct of App.

An excerpt:

On June 3, 2008, plaintiff filed his complaint for mandamus against attorney general Michael A. Cox in his official capacity. Plaintiff averred that casinos and other businesses owned by Indian tribes in Michigan are selling spirits, beer, and wine on their premises, but are doing so without a license issued by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission as required by law. Plaintiff further averred that defendant, as the State’s chief law enforcement officer, had knowledge of these “tribal liquor license violations.” And, although “hundreds of thousands of felony violations have been committed by Michigan tribal casino management” . . . defendant “fails and refuses to take any corrective action, whether it be a civil suit against the tribes for a declaratory and injunctive Order . . . or criminal actions against tribal management.” Plaintiff alleged that he and other travelers on State highways are in danger because “[a]ll of the tribal casinos are located within a minute or two drive to State highways” and underage customers, as well as intoxicated persons, are likely to leave the casinos and drive on State highways. Accordingly, plaintiff alleged, defendant’s failure to enforce State liquor licensing laws under these circumstances constituted a clear abuse of discretion and warranted the issuance of a writ of mandamus to command him to act.

Here was the complaint filed in 2008.

Greektown Reorganization Plan Approved; Sault Tribe Out

From the Detroit News:

A plan approved Friday to lead Greektown Casino out of bankruptcy protection will repay most creditors and strip ownership from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

Judge Walter Shapero of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Detroit confirmed the plan, pending state and city approvals on other issues that must be obtained by June 30. The plan, the third proposal since Greektown filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May 2008, was approved by creditors last week.

“Greektown Casino is now approaching the finish line for its exit from bankruptcy,” said Charles Moore, the casino’s lead restructuring adviser with Conway MacKenzie Inc. in Birmingham.

Michigan Bar Journal Article on Disproportionate Numbers of Indian Children in Mich. Child Welfare System

Disproportionate Minority Contact of American Indians/Alaska Natives in the Child Welfare System of Michigan: Understanding the Law and Respecting Cultural Differences
by Margaret Olesnavage, Maribeth D. Preston, Angel D. Sorrells, and Stacey M. Tadgerson

Ms. Sorrells is a true leader on increasing compliance and awareness of the Indian Child Welfare Act in Michigan, and Ms. Tadgerson is the director of Native American Affairs in the Michigan DHS.

Sault Tribe RICO Suit against Vendors

Here are the materials in Sault Ste. Tribe of Chippewa Indians v. Hamilton (W.D. Mich.):

Sault Tribe DCT Order

Sault Tribe Motion to Dismiss Counterclaims

Sault Tribe Additional Motion to Dismiss Counterclaims

Sault Tribe Complaint

United States v. Fred Paquin Indictment

As reported on Indianz yesterday, former Sault Tribe chief of police and board member Fred Paquin has been indicted in federal court. Here is the indictment:

Fred Paquin Indictment