potawatomi

Nokomis Learning Center News Coverage in Indian Country Today

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

From ICT:

OKEMOS, Mich. – Chilly temperatures and gloomy skies didn’t darken the spirits of the more than 50 people who attended the inaugural spring feast and fundraiser at Nokomis Learning Center April 13.

The feast brought several members of the American Indian community together and helped to raise funds for the 19-year-old American Indian cultural learning center in Okemos.

”The truth is that [Nokomis Learning Center] is kind of poor right now,” said Theron Moore, who serves as president of the center’s board of directors and helps run a construction company in Holt. ”We need to raise money to make sure it keeps operating.”

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Gun Lake Band Compact as Model for Future Michigan Compacts

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

From Mlive:

The Gun Lake Tribe’s compact may be a model for agreements to be renegotiated in the next four to five years, according to James Hill, professor at Central Michigan University.

The compact is different from earlier agreements in three major ways. The tribe agreed to share revenue on an increasing scale, beginning with eight percent and rising to 12 percent of slot machine revenues, calculated on gross revenues. As the tribe makes more, it pays the state a higher percentage.

That might be the wave of the future, Hill said.

Another difference is the size of the exclusivity zone. instead of the whole state, the Gun Lake Tribe agreed to nine counties surrounding its Wayland casino.

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Interviews with Michigan Tribal Chairs @ United Tribes of Michigan Meeting

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here are videos of interviews with Fred Cantu (Saginaw Chippewa), DK Sprague (Gun Lake Band), Frank Ettawageshik (LTBB), Matt Wesaw (Vice-Chair, Pokagon), and Aaron Payment (Sault Tribe).

Link to videos on the Saginaw Chippewa website.

Black Ash Basketry Conference — May 16, 2008

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

From Kelly Church:

Emerald Ash Borer/ Black Ash Basketry Conference 2008

Since the discovery of the Emerald Ash Borer(EAB) in 2002, Michigan has lost over 20 million ash trees, and the numbers continue to rise. The entire lower peninsula of Michigan is under a “no ash movement” quarantine, and the EAB continues to spread and infect entire ash lots, eventually killing off once healthy, thriving ash trees.

For hundreds of years Native Americans of Michigan (Anishnabe) and Natives from all over the North Eastern United States have been using Black Ash trees for basketweaving. These baskets have been used for centuries for utilitarian purposes such as Market baskets, berry picking baskets, fishing creels, baby baskets, laundry baskets, and sewing baskets. Today they are still used in a variety of ways, and are also collectible baskets as pieces of art.

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Pokagon Revenue Sharing Dispute Under Negotiation

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

From the Michigan City News-Dispatch:

ST. JOSEPH, Mich. – Negotiations between the state and the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians to resolve problems blocking the distribution of casino revenue to local governments should wrap up in 60 to 90 days, a tribal official said.

The tribe, saying it was concerned over actions taken in forming the Local Revenue Sharing Board and its bylaws, withheld in escrow the first payment from electronic gambling earnings at the Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo Township. The payment was due in December.

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Michigan Economic Development Corporation & Indian Gaming Revenue Sharing

Matthew L.M. Fletcher2 Comments

From Crain’s Detroit Business:

Fight over casino funds limits kitty for MEDC

LANSING — A southwest Michigan American Indian tribe is withholding casino revenue destined for state economic-development operations, posing the latest twist in funding uncertainty for the Michigan Economic Development Corp.

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Milford’s Version of Michigan Indian History

Matthew L.M. Fletcher6 Comments

From the Observer & Eccentric Newspapers:

Milford Moments in Time
By Joyce M. Clark

According to the book “Ten Minutes Ahead of the Rest of the World, A History of Milford,” Elizur and Stanley Ruggles were attracted to the Milford area back in 1831 because of its flowing river. They were also smitten by the beauty of the land, and so they staked their claim. However, both the local waterways and rich surrounding land were utilized by many people long before these pioneers settled the area.

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News Article on Indiana Indians

Matthew L.M. Fletcher3 Comments

From the Munster Times:

Tribal groups call Indiana home

VALPARAISO | Most Hoosiers don’t realize that nearly 42,000 of the state’s residents are American Indians, said Brian Buchanan, chairman of the Indiana Native American Indian Affairs Commission.

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Huron Nottawaseppi Awaits Decision from Michigan Tax Tribunal on Tax Status of Pine Creek Reservation

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

From the Battle Creek Enquirer:

Tribe awaits ruling on tax-exempt status

ATHENS TOWNSHIP — The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi is awaiting a Michigan Tax Tribunal decision on whether the tribe is liable for township taxes on its Pine Creek Reservation.

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Indiana Tribal History News Article

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

From the Terre Haute News:

Genealogy: Many tribes left their mark on Indiana

By Tamie Dehler
Special to the Tribune-Star
TERRE HAUTE — Last week’s column discussed Indiana’s most influential Indian tribes, the Miami, Wea, and Piankashaw, as described in The Indian Tribes of North America, by John R. Swanton. Yet, there were other tribes that also left their mark in and on the state.

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