Derek Bailey

GTB Chair Derek Bailey Appointed to American Indian Education Advisory Council

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Great news!!!!!

From Indianz:

President Barack Obama has appointed six people to the National Advisory Council on Indian Education.

The council advises the Department of Education about Indian education issues. It has 16 members.

The new appointees are:

• Thomas R. Acevedo, a member of the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut
• Derek J. Bailey, the chairman of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians of Michigan
• Robin A. Butterfield, a member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
• Robert B. Cook, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakota
• Deborah Jackson-Dennison, a member of the Navajo Nation
• Alyce Spotted Bear, a member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation of North Dakota

Get the Story:

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts (White House 5/13)

Asian Carp Op/Ed from GTB Chair Derek Bailey

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

From the Traverse City Record-Eagle:

Three decades ago many thought that the Great Lakes fisheries resources would be ruined by American Indian tribes exercising “treaty-fishing” rights. After the federal courts confirmed these treaty-reserved rights, the tribes demonstrated their primary concern is protection of the Great Lakes fisheries.

Ironically, these “treaty-fishing” rights now might prove crucial in protecting fisheries resources for all of Michigan’s citizens against the Asian carp invasion.

The United States Supreme Court has denied Michigan’s request for an injunction closing the shipping locks outside of Chicago to prevent any further migration of Asian carp into the Great Lakes. In the midst of the competing claims debating the economic losses of closing shipping to the Mississippi River system compared to potential harm to Great Lakes fisheries, all parties — Attorney General Cox, Gov. Granholm, the Army Corps of Engineers and other federal agencies — agree that the damage to the Great Lakes fisheries will be profound.

It has been almost six years since the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimated that “Asian carp could have a devastating effect on the Great Lakes ecosystem and a significant impact on the $7 billion fishery.” During this time the Army Corps of Engineers failed to act promptly, in effect fiddling while Rome burned. To the extent the Army Corps is responsible for the impending disaster, the tribes may be better situated than the state to challenge the federal government.

Continue reading →

Traverse City Tomorrow Panel with GTB Chair Derek Bailey and Michael Moore, et al.

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here (whole video).

Michael Moore and Derek Bailey opening comments.

Derek Bailey and Michael Moore closing comments.

SCIA Trust Acquisition Delay Hearing — Featuring Derek Bailey

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Via Indianz.

GTB Chair Derek Bailey on the White House Consultation

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

From Indianz:

Derek Bailey, the chairman of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, was among dozens of tribal leaders who attended listening sessions at the White House on Monday.

Bailey, who has served on the tribal council since 2004 and as chairman since 2008, said the sessions were just the beginning of an ongoing dialog with the Obama administration. He hailed White House officials for inviting tribes to Washington, D.C.

“Across the table, we saw indigenous faces, those that are from Indian Country, that understand when we speak as leaders from our own upbringing,” Bailey said in an interview yesterday. He called the meeting “inspiring.”

Jodi Gillette (Standing Rock Sioux) and Kim Teehee (Cherokee) from the White House, along with Indian Health Service Director Yvette Roubideaux (Rosebud Sioux) and Del Laverdure (Crow) of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, participated in the session that Bailey attended. He said they paid close attention as tribes shared a wide range of concerns.

“Never once did i feel that they were not interested listeners,” Bailey said. “They really were engaged.”

During the session, Bailey talked about regional approaches to providing health care, improving access and use of technology and appointing Native Americans to federal judgeships. He also spoke of the need to have a better understanding of the federal-tribal relationship.

“That is part of the consultative process,” he said. “The more of a cornerstone you have of tribal understanding, the better footed you’ll be.”

Bailey, who met with President Barack Obama in Michigan in July, said he has already noticed a change in atmosphere with the new administration. “From my understanding, there’s a huge turnaround, a very noticeable turnaround, and very much appreciated,” he said of the developing relationship.

During the campaign, Obama promised to hold an annual summit with tribes. The issue was raised yesterday but the White House has not said when the first meeting will occur.

Inland Treaty Rights on Interlochen Public Radio

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Interlochen Public Radio has been filing stories on the ongoing story of Inland treaty rights.

Here’s the first report, from September: Sept 9, 2007

IPR interviewed a DNR spokesperson, Frank Ettawageshik (LTBB), and Hank Bailey (GTB).

Here’s a report on the Traverse City DNR Meeting: Oct 19, 2007

IPR recorded comments from the Harris brothers, who believe they somehow have no rights, rights they allege are guaranteed to them by virtue of being “white men.” IPR also interviewed Suzanne McSauby (GTB), Derek Bailey (GTB), and Kelly Smith (DNR), who had a more balanced view.