Here’s the opinion.
DCT Dismissal of Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action Claim
Here’s the opinion.
Michigan Indian
Grand Traverse Band Opposition to Michigan Water Withdrawal Legislation
Saginaw Chippewa Tribe to address U of M Board of Regents regarding Ancestral Remains held by U of M
From the email announcement:
CALLING OUT FOR SUPPORT!
The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe (SCIT) was just notified that
a request was granted to address the University of Michigan’s Board of
Regents during their meeting TOMORROW, Thursday, March 20. The meeting
will begin at 3pm in the Regent’s Room of the Fleming Administration
Bldg. in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Joseph Sowmick, SCIT Public Relations Director, will read a
5-minute statement during the Public Comment session regarding the 1,200
or more “culturally unaffiliated” ancestral remains and their associated
funerary objects that are being held by the University of Michigan.
The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe is asking for a unified
mobilization of support from all Anishinabe people. MACPRA
representatives and Ogitchedaw (George Martin will be present with his
Eagle Staff) are strongly encouraged to attend. All interested peoples
who support the return of our ancestral remains, please join us.
We are planning to meet in the plaza between 2-3pm in front of
the Fleming Administration Bldg. located on Thompson St. All present
will not be able to go into the Regent’s Room, but a delegation of
support can be present in the plaza.
GTB Election Preview
From the Leelanau Enterprise:
Three candidates have tossed their hats into the ring to serve as tribal chairman of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.
In addition, 21 other tribal members are running for three seats on the Tribal Council.
The GTB will hold a Primary Election on April 9 to narrow the field of candidates to two running for tribal chairman and six running for seats on the Tribal Council. The Regular Election is slated to be held on May 21, with newly elected or re-elected officials taking office the following day.
Tribal Election Board chairman Sam Evans said that the deadline for candidates to declare their candidacy was March 3. He explained that a list of candidates will not be available until after March 17, the deadline for completing a background check of all candidates. The background check, which includes fingerprinting, eliminates any convicted felons from running for office.
Although no candidate list was available this week, it’s clear that at least one incumbent tribal councilor, Derek Bailey, is hoping to fill Tribal Chairman Robert Keywaygoshkum’s seat. Lawn signs declaring Bailey’s candidacy for tribal chairman have appeared along roadways near the reservation in Peshawbestown. Bailey’s four-year term as a tribal councilor is slated to expire in May.
House Judiciary Committee Hearing re: BMIC & Sault Tribe Bills — Witness List and Testimony
From the House Judiciary Committee website:
The Honorable Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick
U.S. House of Representatives
Michigan, 13th District
Chief Fred Cantu
Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan
US v. Gabrion — Federal Criminal Jurisdiction in Manistee National Forest
Here is the opinion in US v. Gabrion. It raises an interesting question whether there is federal criminal jurisdiction in national forests. The court, 2-1, found that the US does have criminal jurisdiction over national forest lands, in this case, the Manistee National Forest. Judge Moore’s concurring opinion delved into federal Indian law in response to the appellant’s claim that state and federal concurrent jurisdiction over national forest lands was a violation of equal protection (it isn’t — just ask an Indian):
House Hearing on Bay Mills/Sault Tribe Off-Rez Gaming
From Indianz:
Not sure what it means below that Alicia Walker is chair at Sault Tribe….
The House Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing this morning on two off-reservation casino bills.
H.R. 2176 and H.R. 4115 settle land claims for the Bay Mills Indian Community and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. The tribes would be able to open casinos on sites hundreds of miles away from their existing reservations. The bills have been approved by the House Natural Resources Committee. But Rep. John Conyers (D-Michigan), the chairman of the Judiciary committee, opposes the measures. The hearing takes place at 10am and will be broadcast at http://judiciary.house.gov.
Bouschor Appeal to Sault Tribal Court Denied
NEWS RELEASE
SAULT STE. MARIE
TRIBE OF
CHIPPEWA INDIANS
*************************
Bouschor’s appeal to become candidate denied
SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – (March 7) – The Sault Tribe Court of Appeals issued a ruling today denying former tribal chairman Bernard Bouschor’s appeal on the election committee’s ruling that according to a specific tribal law, Mr. Bouschor and other defendants in an ongoing lawsuit are not eligible to be a candidate for elected office until such litigation has been resolved.
Protecting the St. Mary’s Waterway
From the Sault (Ont.) Star:
First Nations will bridge the river to protect the St. Mary’s on World Water Day, March 22.
Elders from both sides of the border will share their knowledge about water ceremonies and raise awareness about the need to protect local waterways. Garden River and Batchawana First Nations, Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians and the Bay Mills Indian community will all be on hand.
The four tribes first came together in 2004 to sign the Tribal and First Nations Water Accord, under which they work to influence the Canadian and U.S. governments to protect St. Mary’s River and its ecosystems.
The event takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sault Tribe Cultural Building in Sault, Michigan. Traditional food will be served, bring a dish to pass.
Sault Tribe Seeking Investors in Greektown
From Crain’s Detroit Business:
Tom Celani, owner of MotorCity Harley Davidson and MotorCity Power Sports, has dropped plans to acquire a stake in Greektown Casino L.L.C.
Under a plan announced in January, Celani was to become president of casino operations and buy a 22 percent stake in the company from the majority owner, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
Turtle Talk 
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