Little Miss Sunshine, in Your Face...

TROOPS COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

2011-12-18T08:38:00.000-08:00

When Bush made the decision to seek revenge on terrorists who made the mistake of hijacking our planes to kill thousands and place fear in the hearts of souls of all those living in the U.S., I was fine with that.

When it was thought that Iraq had Weapons of Mass Destruction, I worried what they would do with them next. There were no WMD found. It was a mistake.

When Saddam Hussein was found, my thoughts were to turn him over to his own people, whom he also terrorized, confident that they would see to it that he would not be returned as leader of that country.

For the past several years that spanned the Bush presidency and into the Obama presidency, there has been disagreement between most Republicans and Democrats over our presence in Iraq. Some Republicans wanted the troops to stay while feeding billions of our tax dollars into a country that is not ours. Some Democrats wanted the war to end and bring our troops back home to save the tax dollars and the troops. Many more are torn over this decision for various reasons.

We did some good in that part of the world. It's my opinion that the recent takeovers of horrific dictatorships in the Middle East are the result of the influence and closer contact with civilized nations...like the U.S. After eight years, those who wanted the tools to democracy, have them and it's now up to them to put those tools to good use. How long does it take to teach an adult right from wrong...they either get it or they don't. But, that’s just my opinion….one of those rights we are guaranteed.

For decades, long before the bombing of the Twin Towers, peaceful Muslim communities have popped up throughout the U.S., just as the Italians, Japanese, Germans, Amish, Polish, and other nationalities and religions have done. I was just a kid in elementary school when I first heard the term that America is the 'melting pot of the world' because of all the nationalities and religions that have made the United States their home. It wasn't a bad thing but an opportunity to learn more about different cultures.

I also learned of the slavery of humans who were beaten and kidnapped openly from their own home and country to be sold to lazy, rich people in the U.S., who treated them like they were not created by the same God they professed to believe in. Let's not forget that this land was invaded by the ancestors of those who now call America home. Millions of Indians were slaughtered...their lands stolen...their villages burned...their women raped...their children murdered.. Those murderers are the ancestors of most Americans....including mine since I am not 100% Native American. Face it...that's the reality.

But eventually, the civilized people of the U.S. created laws that gave us our freedoms, some of which state that we are allowed the freedom of religion in this country. Blacks and women were given the right to vote. Nowhere in our Bill of Rights or Constitution does it say we can do the opposite of what it states just because we feel like it.

Why is that those who think we left Iraq too soon also think Muslims don't belong in the U.S.? Does it make sense to want to destroy and occupy a country that is not ours while telling people from that country that they cannot live peacefully in ours? For the life of me, I can't understand that.

Occupy America and open your hearts to all who want to live here for the same reasons you do.

Welcome home to those who are glad to be back. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, etc….etc….etc…
Lynne Weaver

FAREWELL DOROTHEA

2011-12-09T17:15:00.000-08:00

I checked the obituaries today to find that a little tiny lady I cared so much about was gone. Dorothea Hatch Christensen left this world to join the husband she missed so much. The article told a little of her history and family but didn’t say much about who Dorothea was.

About two weeks ago, I was contacted by her current caregiver that Dorothea was in Tendercare, was unable to speak, could barely move and her time on earth was coming to a close. I had a chance to see her over the Thanksgiving holiday, but it was heartbreaking to see her so thin, frail and distant. I happened to come along at just the right time and was able to feed her lunch in the dining room. I wasn’t sure if she recognized me but halfway through our visit, she turned to me and gave me that soft, sweet smile. The upturned lips, the tilt of her head and her eyes looking directly into mine told me that she knew I was there.

We had a history, albeit short. I was her caregiver for a little over a year but during that year we became close. Even though she was well into her 90’s when we first met, she was every bit as bright and intelligent as her education and experiences made her.

Dorothea often talked of Sayner, Wisconsin where she grew up and eventually met the man who would become her husband, John Christensen. She talked often about her beloved husband…their first date, their first kiss and the day he asked her to marry him.

She wanted to go back to Sayner because it had been many years since her last visit, but she had no means to get there under her own steam. So off we went on a four-day jaunt to Sayner Resort….no phones, no T.V. and no internet…just a very unique resort on a peaceful lake. I had a map with the route traced for the six hour trip, but we didn’t need it because she knew every inch of the way from memory. She told me that the Sayner family were competitive with the Hatch family because both families were business owners and because the Sayner’s felt they owned the town since it was named after them. She also said that some of the people of Sayner looked down on them because the Hatch’s were Indian. She wanted to go back to show the people of Sayner that her family had been successful regardless of the bias towards Native Americans. Dorothea was very proud of her father, Fred Hatch, Sr. for beginning the process of federal recognition for the Sault Tribe. Her brother, Fred Hatch, Jr., carried on when her father no longer could.

Dorothea was a scaredy-cat and always afraid that someone would drop her or that she would fall, but all of her caregivers were very careful with her fragile body that was beaten down from years of suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. A friend of Dorothea’s, an attorney from Madison, Wisconsin made the trip northward to visit with her while in Sayner. After a couple of Martini’s at a restaurant in a nearby town, she lost her fears and wanted to go for a spin around the parking lot. With her arms waving wildly and her laughter bringing smiles to the faces of all who witnessed, we ran her about the parking lot, spinning her chair while she gleefully yelled out “Wheeee!” When it was time to return to the Sault, Dorothea was happy and satisfied that her trip ‘home’ was well worth the wait. She had fun and was able to see her childhood home although the store her father owned was gone...mysteriously burned to the ground.

Dorothea told me of the time she applied for a teaching job in American Samoa. She neglected to tell her husband that she had applied for a teaching position there until she was notified that she was indeed hired. They simply packed up and left their home to experience a way of life that most of us will never know. Most people would never dream to make such a move but there was little that Dorothea feared. They did have their refrigerator shipped because that was the ultimate luxury in Samoa and she was concerned about being without proper food storage.

Dorothea was a giver…literally. She had a history of giving away her possessions because the things she held dearest were her memories and the photographs of her husband, parents and brother, whom she hoped to join one day. She is with them now and I’m sure she is in the embrace of her beloved husband. Farewell dear lady Dorothea. You will be missed.

Lynne Weaver

ANOTHER CASINO? BENEFIT TO MEMBERS OR INVESTORS

2011-10-01T06:17:00.000-07:00

Even though Elder benefits have been cut, Sault Tribe seems to have the funds, or investors, for another casino. Millions were lost in Greektown because of bad management and, likely, a lot of 'skimming' from the top. The proof is in the profits realized once the tribe was out of the picture. Can we trust the Sault Tribe leadership to make the right decisions as well as honest decisions? Who is at the helm and are all the facts on the table and when will they be?

Real estate deals are touchy and often held in confidence to prevent the greedy from upping the price of land when they discover where the money is coming from. That should never be the case when it comes to the profits. Who is going to profit? After what happened to Greektown, members should be asking this question of their elected representative.

The best way to prove that the profits will support member services is to include them with each casino built. Include a full service health and community center and a Midjims in the plan. Include jobs and housing to qualified members as part of the initial plan instead of a promise that never sees the light of day.

The tribe is more than a corporate entity. It is a community made up of real people and the person you elected to act on your behalf needs to be reminded of that. Call your representative and demand they do their job which is to act in the best interest of the tribe and that means YOU! No more casinos unless they can prove that the purpose and profits is to place member services at the top of the list.

Lynne Weaver

SORRY FOR NOT KEEPING IN TOUCH

2011-09-10T22:02:00.000-07:00

I know I have been slacking off in keeping the news flowing but my own life has been pretty busy. After months of trying to find a fulltime job in Sault Ste. Marie, including several resumes sent for open positions with the Sault Tribe, I finally landed a job....but not in the Soo or with the Sault Tribe.

I sent my resume via email on a Monday, got a call the next day to set up an interview the following Friday. On the Monday that followed, I received a call asking how soon I could start. I headed for my new job the following day and am currently working for a large nationwide company whose 'home-office' is located in the Western end of the U.P. In one week, my life changed...I've heard older ladies referring to their 'change of life' but I don't think this is what they were referring to.

Long hours as well as a longer commute than I am accustomed to and weekend return trips to pack up my apartment and place my belongings in storage for now, has left me little time for the extra curricular activities which include writing. Add to that, the lack of high speed internet has also limited my time spent writing. Oh how I miss my high speed internet. Until I find a place where I have the luxury of high speed internet, I am stuck with impatiently waiting for a signal to reach me through miles and miles of hills, trees and valleys. It's kind of like getting stuck driving behind a 90 year old who thinks everyone else is moving way too fast.

On the bright side, I get to stay with my youngest sister...my friend...my confidante, until I find a place closer to the city where I work. We get to catch up after years of only short visits shared with numerous family members.

I wanted to share with you some of the discussions that are taking place on a Facebook account called "Sault Tribe Guide" and will do so as soon as I get permission from other members to share their stories and opinions. The Sault Tribe Guide is all about change for the Sault Tribe. Things move a little slow at times with some of the most frequent participants occasionally spending too much time goofing off and having fun and other times arguing and insulting each other followed by apologies and make-up kisses.

One member posts his skillfully and artfully crafted music videos inspired by the antics of past and present Sault Tribe leaders while others get down to business and write the letters that are a call for action to correct the imbalances in the Sault Tribe governance.

So if you get bored and impatient waiting for me to provide you with more Sault Tribe news, get yourself a Facebook account, if you don't already have one, request membership in the 'Sault Tribe Guide' and learn what is really going on in your tribe. Don't expect to find the truth in the Sault Tribe paper. Although the pages are not glossy, the words are.

Hang in their folks...I'll be back!

Lynne Weaver

VOTERS BEWARE!

2011-08-25T19:01:00.000-07:00

By RJanetos
You may think that you are registered to vote in any Sault Tribe election, only to find out, after it is too late, that you won't be getting a ballot.
You were denied a ballot because of a "mailing snafu".
You don't get to vote because you live outside the service areas and didn't re-register for each election...or some such nonsense.
You don't get to vote because your registration was lost somewhere along the line.
You don't get to vote because the election committee says that they don't have a good address for you although you haven't moved in twenty years.

Whatever the reason is for the inefficiency, negligence or lies...you are denied your right to vote.

The elections have been controlled by core family and Bouschor loyalist for decades. The Board of Directors are unwilling to provide a more reasonable opportunity for people to serve.....giving them complete control..

To combat this system, there needs to be a massive effort to not only register voters but to get official confirmation of their registration in a timely fashion. To accomplish this, volunteers will need to obtain registration materials and distribute them by mail and the internet. A system to follow up on the registration must be in place and a watch dog committee must be able to act swiftly when a error is reported. The election committee must acknowledge new registrants by official tribal mail.

Volunteers need to provide community collection points and certify by signature that a registered voter has authorized them to forward their ballot to the tribal ballot box. The volunteer need to maintain records of those ballots received.

If someone doesn't receive a ballot during the delivery period, and reports it, the tribe should contact that person and overnight a ballot...which they take to the collection point volunteer. The signatures collected by the volunteers will act as a means to prevent duplication.

This action is necessary because of the corrupt and/or negligent election process

In regular elections, you sign your name and receive a ballot when it is confirmed that you are registered.

Change the path of the tribe.
Do what you can to help.

HOW TO BE A GOOD SAULT TRIBE MEMBER FOR DUMMIES

2011-08-09T07:04:00.000-07:00

Originally published in the Cheboygan Tribune July 2009

By Lynne Weaver

Ten rules to being a good Sault Tribe member.

# One Never question authority.

This is by far the most important rule to becoming a faithful and obedient Sault Tribe member. Tribal Officials are the ultimate and final authority and not law enforcement as some may assume. Do not assume that as a voting member, you have the right to opinions that may question authority.

# Two Learn to nod yes effectively.

Move your head from its upright position directly downward until the chin touches the area located at the top of the breastbone. This movement signals your approval with whatever you are told by tribal officials.

# Three Ignore the tribal constitution.

This document was originally intended for approval by the Bureau of Indian Affairs for the purpose of obtaining federal acknowledgement and can be amended by the Sault Tribe Board of Directors only, as needed.

# Four Believe everything you are told.

If tribal officials tell you that everything is hunky-dorey fine, you should believe it because they would never deceive tribal members unless it was absolutely necessary. The definition of “necessary” is at the discretion of the board and other tribal officials.

# Five Do not ask for tribal financial updates.

The financial position of the tribe is none of your business. The “don’t ask-don’t tell” rule is always in effect.

# Six Do not ask that the meetings be televised as before.

One of the benefits of having tribal members not living within meeting zones is that it is less complicated for tribal officials. If members can’t attend meetings, it is easier not to be held accountable. This is also easier for members come election time since a simple guess is all that is required to know who has worked in the best interest of the tribe.

# Seven Give back your Elder check if you received one.

The Board of Directors needs it to pay for unnecessary trips across the country to attend conferences that bring nothing of value back to the tribe.

# Eight Be happy that the board is not making any financial sacrifices for the tribe.

Someone has to benefit from all the money received from the land claims. Be happy that you don’t have the headaches associated with how to spend 67K a year for working a part-time job. Since members are not privy to such highly confidential information, apologies to all if the figure is higher now.

# Nine Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.

If you have heard about the FBI investigations and the discovery of the endless can of worms, put your hand over your ears. If you were a witness to questionable activities by any tribal official, cover your eyes. Place your hand over your mouth if you feel tempted to tell anyone what you have heard or seen.

# Ten Drink the red koolaid as soon as the effects of the first nine rules begin to wear off.

IT'S TIME TO SHAKE THINGS UP!

2011-08-07T08:22:00.000-07:00

This from an Anonymous Poster.....

It IS time to start over. In my mind what better time? Things are already in the toilet. Keeping the status quo only insures the continued downward spiral that we are in. I mean did you check out the latest edition of the happy land paper? Unit reports that said absolutely nothing except that they all took another trip on our dime. I am very angry that they can travel all over the place and we are still working for peanuts,our properties are falling apart and we have ZERO leadership.

I work at the Shores and I can tell you that for a building that is what? 5 yrs old it is rapidly approaching dump status. Broken things are rarely fixed,the plumbing is a nightmare,carpets are filthy,can't keep houskeepers because they don't want to pay them anything..the list goes on ad nauseum. And I won't even start on the lakefront.And they are traveling around acting like everything is hunky dorey.

Well things are not hunky dorey, employee morale is at an all time low. Folks work for the tribe because they HAVE to..not because they want to. If there were other jobs in the area all GOOD employees would be gone.

I am a firm believer it is time to shake things up and not with some lame referendum or petition that they will just ignore. I mean shake things up!!!

This seems to be a growing trend among Sault Tribers...the idea that the only options to make the necessary changes are to be proactive in a way that suggests we mean business!
Lynne Weaver

SPREAD THE WORD

2011-07-30T10:06:00.000-07:00

A database is being set up to gather the names of all those who did not receive a ballot in ANY of the last three - four Sault Tribe elections. If you received a ballot to vote in the primary but did not receive one to vote in the general election, or vice versa, we would like to know. If you have been registered to vote, have not moved or moved but notified the tribe of the change of address, please contact me at weave977@yahoo.com.

We also want to know if you have been denied benefits that you feel you were entitled to, without an understanding or reasonable explanation of why you were denied. Your participation is extremely important and your identity will be protected.

To join a group who intends to make some much needed changes within the Sault Tribe, there is a Facebook group called the Sault Tribe Guide, but it is not anonymous.

PASS THE WORD...the next election is less than a year away and it's time to turn the tables in our direction.

2011-07-29T06:16:00.000-07:00

In response to a Soo Evening News article regarding the upcoming appointment of a replacement chairperson for the Sault Tribe, a reader wrote this and also sent it to me.

Former Chairman Aaron Payment would be a good choice. After all, the difference in votes for chairman were only a few suspicious hundred in McCoy's favor.

But I do have a sneaking suspicion that Benard would like to return as chairman...that would show all of those voters that dethroned, him for Aaron Payment,.that he still has the power. The Tonky Trump ego will have made full circle from shame to fame. A smarter move for Benard would be to wait for the appointment of his buddy and then take the CEO position that is vacant. Then, he is really back.

Native American Scholar, Martin Rhinehardt has stated that he will campaign against any Board member that prohibits the citizens from deciding who will fill the chairman's seat. You won't hear these politicians Causley, Abramson , McCoy, Pine or Bouschor play the race card and dispute that man.

It is sad to watch how a handful of the tribe's worst can dictate to the membership....over and over and over again.
Hopefully, this next election will be when the membership votes for a new path. The need to bring in the constitution that the present Board wants to ignore. It would make them accountable. That scares them.

SAULT TRIBE INTERNET GROUP ORIGINATOR PASSES ON

2011-07-27T15:13:00.000-07:00

Gary John Bernard, 56, of 823 Wisconsin Ave., Gladstone, passed away Saturday, July 23, 2011, at the St. Francis Hospital, in Escanaba, following a brief illness. Gary was the founder of the Sault Tribe Group, an internet site that allowed tribal members to voice their opinions. Gary was the reason that so many of us became involved in Sault Tribe politics.

Gary was born July 26, 1954, in Sault Ste. Marie, the son of John and Margaret (Fillippis) Bernard. He was raised in Sault Ste. Marie and was a 1972 graduate of the Sault Ste. Marie High School. Gary is survived by his wife of 37 years, Cheryl (Ford); his mother, Margaret, and his sons, Joshua Bernard, Ryan Bernard and Jason (Wendy) Bernard, all of Gladstone; daughter, Kristin (Matthew) Tuskan of Gladstone; brothers, Ronald (Jackie) Bernard of Sault Ste. Marie, Patrick Bernard of Sault Ste. Marie, Richard Bernard of Louisiana; sister, Nancy Watson of Grand Rapids, Mich.; granddaughters, Isabelle, Mary Lynn and Sage; father- and mother-in-law, Dwayne (Sonja) Ford of Gladstone; and honorary son, Philip Dausey of Rapid River.

OUTNUMBERED AGAIN

2011-07-19T19:37:00.000-07:00

The petition to hold a special election to fill the tribal chair’s seat left empty when the Sault Tribe Chairman, Joe McCoy, decided to take a hike rather than stick around and face any responsibility for his inability to uphold his campaign promises, was voted down this evening at a special meeting.

The tribal attorney, who is under the thumb of the board, recommended that the board turn down the petition for various reasons. Because the petition was submitted to overturn a resolution that was not enacted, the petition code protected the decision of the board. I guess there is no need to wonder why Director Pine made the motion to table it when she did. It was likely just part of a well-orchestrated plan to pull another one over on the tribal members.

According to a tribal member who was present, 32 out of 102 signatures were in violation of some part of the tribal code that requires that petitions do not contain language that is misleading, but the tribal member didn’t note what the misleading language was.

Director Malloy brought it to the attention of the board, the attorney, and the audience that the tribe’s petition code conflicted with the tribal constitution. The attorney did agree that the code could be changed so that looks like a step the members could pursue.

Bouschor commented that the board would be targeted with numerous petitions if tabled actions were open to petitions. In other words, he recognized the fact that the members would surely utilize such a power and remove those responsible for the financial jeopardy they placed the tribe in due to their failures and lack of ability to do the right thing.

Joe Eitrem made the motion to disapprove the petition and it was seconded by Bouschor. The vote was 7-3 to turn down the petitions.

SUNDANCE PART OF LOCAL TRADITION BUT....

2011-07-14T05:06:00.000-07:00

The Sundance / Start of a Local Tradition
In essence, the Sundance is a community vision quest. It is not the pow wow that people expect it to be. It’s a three or four day ceremony of prayer and fasting…a cleansing and healing ceremony where dancers seek renewal and guidance for themselves and their tribe. In Sault Ste. Marie, it is the start of a local tradition by a reverent and passionate group of tribal and nontribal members seeking to renew their tribe’s connection to the Great Spirit.

The dancer’s perform in an arena around a tall center pole that represents the Great Spirit. They dance outward or inward to a double circle of poles connected with rafters and topped with spruce and pine boughs that represent the tribe. It is through the dancers that the tribe’s connection to the Great Spirit is renewed. They dance for a day without anything to drink or eat. At the beginning of the second day, they’re given a small meal and they dance the last three days without anything else.

It is a dance of pain, a payback to the Great Spirit for the gifts sent their way. It involves great suffering and as the fasting and prayer progresses dancer’s pass out and fall, and in their unconscious state receive visions of the direction that they and their tribe should go. The dance ends with purification and gifts exchanged and sacred pipes smoked and tobacco shared, and offerings made to the Great Spirit for the blessings of his guidance.
Local spiritual leader and Sundance organizer Pat McCoy learned the dance while visiting the Sioux on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. He hopes to teach it to his fellow Chippewa, turning it into a local tradition and an annual July celebration. This year’s inaugural Sundance is being held in an arena constructed for it on eight-mile road south of the Soo, between Shunk and Seymour Roads. The public is welcome. The women asked to wear a dress…to comply with the symbolism requirements of the dance.
Thank you, Charles Forgrave

But this morning I received an email forwarded to me regarding claims that AIM (American Indian Movement) were participating in the Sault's Sundance. Here is an excerpt from that message...Lynne Weaver

"Today, there are hundreds of Sun Dances, purification ceremonies, healing ceremonies, Midewin ceremonies every year. Most are conducted by recognized spiritual leaders, such as Rick Two Dogs, Warfield Moose, Richard Moves Camp, and others, but we also know there are those who exploit their own people’s traditions.

The most recent example of this is occurring in Saulte Ste. Marie, Michigan this year. It’s being advertised as a “public event” on Facebook. The American Indian Movement name and logo is being used without permission of the American Indian Movement. Chief Terrance Nelson, and Edward Benton-Benai are advertised on the poster, and neither of these two men are attending, or taking part in any way. Sault St. Marie has never attended American Indian Movement meetings, and are not recognized as part of the council. The reason for the establishment of the American Indian Movement Grand Governing Council and Trademarked logo is to curtail the abuse of our name, organization, and intellectual property rights being used by people we do not know.

The American Indian Movement is not saying that Sun Dances cannot be held in any area or community. Indian people can have all the Sun Dances they want, but the responsibility, the honor in being truthful rests on the organizers, and they should not be using the name of an organization that has nothing to do with their Sun Dance. The danger in this is that some one could get hurt, or sick, and the responsibility would be on the American Indian Movement.

The Sun Dance in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan has been planned in a highly irregular manner in spite of our wishes for them to discontinue using our name. Many of the people taking part in this dance were asked to leave the American Indian Movement Sun Dance in Pipestone for bringing alcohol, drugs, and behaving in a non-spiritual way by breaking their fasts, thus encouraging others to do so, bringing in water, food, ice, etc., and other behavior not associated with the real reason to Sun Dance."

For the full message:
http://www.aimovement.org/moipr/AIM1stsundance.html

Lynne Weaver

SAULT TRIBE MEMBERS PUSH TO ENACT THE NEW CONSTITUTION

2011-07-08T06:19:00.000-07:00

New efforts have evolved among a small group of Sault Tribe members to push the enactment of the 'New' Constitution. The end process, originally under the control of the Sault Tribe Board of Directors, although some would likely tell you different, is now in the hands of the Sault Tribe members, as it should have been from the beginning.

A new Facebook account created by Nathan Wright, called the "Sault Tribe Guide", has gathered together some key players who have vowed to review both the old and new constitutions and push the project along, regardless of the displeasure of some of the Sault Tribe board members.

It's long overdue that the members have a say in the way the Sault Tribe operates. One of the biggest changes that could have made a difference and prevented some of the disasters that the tribe has faced over the years is the Separation of Powers. This change will distribute the hold the board has over the entire tribe into three branches: legislative, executive and judicial, which will effectively break up the control the current board has over the judicial system and will take them away from the operative side of tribal business. This does leave the board to handle legislative issues.

Other policy changes will be necessary to make it all work. Human Resources will no longer be under the thumb of the board and employees may be less inclined to be intimidated by the powers that be. The Board of Directors may cease to exist in the form it does now. New educational requirements may be in place for those who are selected to become part of the three branches of government.

At any rate, this group is seeking your input to review the new constitution since it should reflect the fundamental needs of the tribe as a whole. If you prefer not to become a part of the Facebook Sault Tribe Guide but would rather contribute anonymously, than you can do so here. I will be posting any meetings, news or changes we hope to implement.

Keep in mind that this isn't a weak effort but one that we are 100% confident that we, as a tribe, will successfully change directions.....join us in being part of the Winds of Change.

WHO HAS A VOICE?

2011-07-04T20:49:00.001-07:00

The June 28th Posting of DJ Malloy demonstrates how a simple, small majority can run the tribe.
If we don't question the sincerity of Cathy (McCoy) Abramson's vote, at least two directors from unit one believed that an election should take place to fill the vacant chairman's seat. That equates to forty percent of the Unit one representation. The other units who's representative voted for the election represented half of Unit four and all of Unit five.
The wishes of those citizens, represented, can be disregarded.
It seems to always be the same "elected" that are controlling the destiny of the tribe.
Let's call them the BOOSHINO Family. It is a syndicate.
They control all aspects of the tribe's government and administration
You ask, "How can that be, in a democracy"?
Members have been asking that ever since Bouschor got into government.

If you read between the lines of Malloy's post, you will see that there are honest representatives that are neutralized by the syndicate.
They are just along for the ride.
We need to give them an opportunity to govern the way their voter intended.
At this point, that will only happen when we unseat Benard Bouschor, Cathy Abramson, Joe Eitrem, Kieth Massaway, Deb Pine, Tom Miller and Lana Causley.
Get ready to help.
Be a part of the change.
rj

FROM THE SAULT TRIBE GUIDE....A WORD FROM OUR REPRESENTATIVE

2011-06-28T17:48:00.000-07:00

Posted by Director DJ Malloy in the Sault Tribe Guide.

OK ST Members... I have read all of your posts. I took the weekend to try to put everything in perspective. Your hopes and fears are valid and well founded and I believe I know where you all want this to go. However... unless someone can pull a rabbit out of their hat... there is NOT going to be an election. I am prohibited from even proposing it as it has been tabled until after the General Election courtesy of Director Pat Rickley. Because it is tabled, it is an active resolution an is subject to referendum; but to date I haven't seen a petition to do so.

The bottom line is this... without an election we are left with the Constitutional obligation to appoint. The Constitution says the board shall appoint to fill the vacant seat. There has been talk of several people being nominated but there has been nothing presented in writing as to whom is on the list for tomorrow nights meeting. Joe Eitrem has indeed been talked about for over a month, as has Lana. And until there is someone seated, Lana is the sitting acting chair.

Here is a synopsis of the process so far. Constitutional language says: "The Board shall appoint." Tribal Code says: "The board shall hold a Special Advisory to assist in appointing a person to fill a vacancy. This election shall be non-binding." Election Code then prohibits any election activity within 6 months of a Notice of Election. That cycle begins on the last Friday in January. Therefore, when McCoy resigned, he did so at a time that prohibited any Special Advisory Election. Contrived or happenstance... that's the facts. Then.. Cathy A and myself brought forward a resolution to amend the code and several board members supported to allow for an election. IT failed on the first presentation on a 5 to 5 vote. Lana Causley voted to break the tie. She voted against amending the code to allow an election. After the second presentation of this resolution, Director Rickley tabled it "until after the next General Election" rendering it useless. There is an absence of a petition to referendum the tabled resolution that would allow the people to decide whether or not an election would be held. In short... the resolution is dead and this means there will be no election!

Here is what I believe... I believe there are board members who think/surmise/know that Aaron Payment would have won a Special Advisory Election. They don't want Aaron on the board. So they voted against it. The argument was made that Aaron had the next highest votes in the last chair election... that didn't work either. Now we have a chair who has assumed the duties via a resolution to allow business to go on until such time the seat is filled. and ... here we are. If we don't appoint, we are violating the Constitution and Lana will continue to serve out the term until someone is seated. This is why I asked the question... Who do you want? Who can garner the 7 votes needed to assume the chairmanship? Who is the least caustic? Who will be the least obstructive to the change we want to see?

I honestly don't know what is going to transpire tomorrow night. But I know this... we can not go on the way we are. There is no forward movement and we are spending too much time on politics and not enough time on moving the tribe ahead and addressing the needs of the members. Elders need more services, we are top heavy with management, the money is flying out the window in lawsuit judgements, and we still have done NOTHING, in the past year that I've been here, to meet the needs of our people! Land Claim money was spent on property for a transportation garage, (they are to pay rent to the fund... but it's still a misuse of the funds). I could go on and on. We NEED to change the way we are focusing on who is in charge and start paying attention to the tribe we are supposed to be serving! No one is being served by this type of leadership because there is no movement forward. It's no different than stagnant waters; and without a fresh stream to aerate the pool... we stink!

Respectfully submitted, DJ

Find the Sault Tribe Guide on Facebook

MOTION TO APPOINT TABLED

2011-06-28T17:41:00.000-07:00

At a regular meeting of the Sault Tribe Board of Directors held at Kewadin Casinos in Sault Ste. Marie, a motion was made by Tom Miller to appoint Joe Eitrem to step in as Chairman of the Sault Tribe.

For whatever Deb Pine's reason to make the motion to table it, the remaining directors agreed. Joan Carr Anderson, Unit 5 director,was absent from the meeting and would have left that Unit short a vote. All in all, it was a good decision to table, but on the other hand it is not good for the tribe's stability to continue this for much longer.

A rumor has been circulating that there will be a motion to appoint DJ Hoffman to fill Joe Eitrem's empty director's chair if Eitrem is appointed to fill the chairman's seat for the next year. Tribal members have mixed feelings because of Hoffman's record while on the board. He did, after all, go out of his way to protect and support Fred Paquin, the former police chief who is now serving time in federal prison for a number of crimes including embezzlement of tribal funds.

He was also a walking nightmare for many tribal employees who were threatened with the loss of their jobs should they not please the former director and he threatened tribal members with lawsuits who spoke out in disagreement against his actions.

But what was also interesting is that he seemed to have fallen out of favor with Bouschor and his close supporters. It would be interesting to know the reason behind that but it is not likely we will ever know....unless DJ Hoffman himself chooses to tell us. Either way, Hoffman might have a chance to make amends with tribal members and employees if he is appointed, doesn't allow the position to go to his head and does the right thing this time around.

Maybe the next scheduled meeting will start the tribe on another path....hopefully a better one that will allow some positive actions to take place for a change.

MUSIC SPEAKS FOR KIDS

2011-06-11T21:47:00.000-07:00

Time	Friday, August 19 at 5:00pm - August 21 at 7:00pm

Location	Our Paradise Bed and Breakfast 2441 East M-28 ( 7.4 miles east of 28 and US 41 intersection) lake side... Marquette, MI

Created By	Shane Murray

More Info	A three day Music festival, Benefit for (Music For All Kids) with and endless amount of music! Bands you know, Solo acts you love. Plus MUSIC For All Kids and And kids taking lessons! perform for you. A list of artist coming soon!

SAULT TRIBE ASSETS FROZEN IN ERROR

2011-06-10T11:57:00.000-07:00

According to a Facebook posting in the Sault Tribe Guide by Director DJ Malloy, "The Sault Tribe lost a lawsuit stemming from a dispute over the Bates Garage in Detroit (it was to be the parking garage for Greektown). The lawsuit stemmed from an employee signing an agreement on behalf of the tribe, for "132 Associates, LLC" a limited liability corporation in which we are the sole owners). In signing the agreement, the employee also signed a waiver of sovereign immunity and it has caused a great loss in legal fees and now a loss of 2.5 million dollars. Yesterday, the owner of Bates garage presented the court order to banks in Northern Michigan and in doing so froze our assets in haste and without our prior knowledge. This resulted in a couple of checks presented to one of these banks, to be declared "non-sufficient". Our legal department immediately contacted all the parties and worked out the particulars and identified for them that the money had indeed been set aside and there was no need to freeze the tribe"s assets in every bank we do business with. This resolved the situation and the checks were honored immediately following them contacting the bank. "

Director Malloy also stated that, "I always think that what you fail to tell people can better be made up via speculation and rumor... I would rather tell you what I have been told than have someone else make up a better story and then have to "react" to it.

In a later response to tribal member questions and concerns Director Malloy said, "The lawsuit stemmed from us not utilizing the garage in the way we had intended. And apparently there was a clause that allowed for the owner to recoup over 2 million dollars if we did not make the planned improvements to the garage. In the course of several signings of this contract, a waiver of sovereign immunity was missed and signature attached to the document creating a liability for our tribe. The tribe has argued that the employee had no authority to sign the document (via resolution or motion) and furthermore, the tribe was immune from suit. We lost on both counts. This is an old situation and I may not have all the fact straight but I am giving you all what I understand to be the case."

For those of you who might be wondering who the tribal employee is that signed the agreement it was Vic Matson, Sault Tribe's CFO. Where else, other than the Sault Tribe, can an employee cost the members so much money resulting in a loss to member benefits and still have a job?!

Lynne Weaver

STAY THE COURSE

2011-06-09T07:15:00.000-07:00

Originally posted in the Sault Tribe Guide

By Tom Biron

Every new effort provides results. The representatives on the board who are actually fighting for us cannot act unless we make it clear what we want them to act on. The corrupt group will act if we dont tell them not to, so we must continue the process until we get it right.

I think we need to say what it is that we are seeing - straight out - and what it is, is the corrupt group are not good politicians. They are good corruptors so they will take what we offer and corrupt it the best they can. Is that what will bring them and us success? No. But it provides evidence of their incompetence to lead and we can use that as we build our base of support for the board members who are fighting for our rights. We have to stay the course. Not too much longer folks.

The Sault Tribe Guide is a Facebook group started by Nathan Wright. Join us in some productive discussions. Open a Facebook account, if you don't already have one, and look for us..."Sault Tribe Guide"

Lynne Weaver

6 ON TRIBAL BOARD MAKE A MOCKERY OUT OF MEMBERS RIGHTS

2011-06-07T16:26:00.000-07:00

A motion was made at the Sault Tribe meeting to TABLE a Special Election until AFTER the General Election.

Yes, you read that right....NO decision on a Special Election until AFTER the General Election. Bernard Bouschor took the night off from this meeting. My guess is that he didn't want his Yes vote to table the special election on record.

This is the list of TRAITORS who voted to TABLE the decision to hold a Special Election:
CATHERINE HOLLOWELL
DEB PINE
PAT RICKLEY
KEITH MASSAWAY
JOE EITREM

And voting to break the tie to table the decision to take the tribal chair decision away from you so she could hold onto that seat was LANA CAUSLEY....a clear conflict of interest. If anyone thinks the group above didn't hold an illegal meeting to discuss tabling the election before hand, it's time to wake up.

The five directors who voted NOT to table a special election to determine who will replace Quitter McCoy were:
CATHY ABRAMSON
DJ MALLOY
TOM MILLER
DENISE CHASE
JOAN CARR ANDERSON

An added note: In a recent telephone conversation (if you can call Hollowell's shrieking a conversation), Cathy Hollowell said she could care less if she's reelected. She made it clear that her agenda was not her constituents but instead she supported Bernard Bouschor, Deb Pine, and Lana Causley.

Prior to the election, both Pat Rickley and Catherine Hollowell misled many of those who voted for them or who spoke favorably to others about them. They lied to you - fooled you and now they laugh in your face. They both play a large part in the mockery that was once known as the members right to vote and I will repeat what many say now..."What was their price?"

One more added note: Aaron Payment had several questions related to the hiring of the new general counsel, who isn't a tribal member. He wanted to know the procedure that was used to eliminate other candidates. Clueless Causley did everything she could to stop him from asking by falsely claiming that Payment's questions couldn't be answered because it would violate personnel confidentiality policies. They were general questions and general questions can be answered without violating polices. If Causley doesn't understand simple personnel policies than what the hell is she doing running the tribe?

SAULT TRIBE MEETING AGENDA FOR TUESDAY, 6-6-2011

2011-06-06T19:32:00.000-07:00

Note the sections marked with **'s. I hope to see a lot of support for the members, by the members. If you don't have much time, try tp stay long enough for the "Amending Ch. 10 -Special Advisory Election".
For those who are employed by the tribe...note that there are proposed changes to employment policies.

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - The Sault Tribe Board of Directors will hold a regular meeting Tuesday, June 7, beginning at 6 p.m., at the Kewadin Casino and Convention Center in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. The meeting will
be preceded by Matters from the Membership at 5 p.m.

Resolutions under consideration are:
Child Care Development Fund,
OVCFY 2011 SANE-SART Program,
US Homeland Security THSGP,
Adoption of National Incident Management System,
Approving Lease JKL School,
National Congress of American Indians,

**Amending Ch.10 - Elections -Special Advisory Election,**

Amending Ch. 20 - Waishkey Bay Closure,

**Amending Attendance Policy,**
**Enactment of Hiring Process No Show Policy,**
**Amending Appeal Policies and Process,**

**Amending Bereavement Policy to Funeral Policy;**

Budget modifications for:
Remote Community Alert System, Legal Special Projects, Legal Tribal Attorney; and budget modifications for Health Center Maintenance Improvements/Cap Outlays, Radiology, Optical/St. Ignace Clinic, Medical Nursing, Traditional Medicine, and Laboratory and Education - Self Sufficiency.

Under New Business, the board will consider committee resignations and appointments.

NO SPECIAL ELECTION FOR THE SAULT TRIBE

2011-05-24T17:31:00.000-07:00

Voting NO to a special election were the following:

1. Deb Pine,
2. Cathy Hollowell,
3. Bernard Bouschor,
4. Pat Rickley,
5. Keith Massaway,
6. Joe Eitrem, and
7. Lana Causley.

Although several suggested that some had their own special agendas for wanting a special election, others said this wasn't about any individuals hoping for a place as tribal chairperson. One of the few directors not to voice an opinion was Bernard Bouschor but he had his nephew, Bill Bouschor, speak for him to oppose a Special Election.

Cathy Abramson had several comments to make in support of the membership chosing the next chairperson and DJ Malloy had several questions for the legal department as well as pointing out that a simple amendment (an action that takes place frequently) to the code would allow for a Special Election while some opposed making an amendment to serve a specific purpose.

Hollowell performed her usual double-speak that we have come to know her so well for. She disputed a comment with words that said exactly the same thing as the person who spoke them in the first place, as several around me also noted.

As one tribal member responded to the board, "Rumor has it that you guys already decided that Joe Eitrem will be appointed to Chairman (which would explain why he so vehemently opposed a Special Election) and that DJ Hoffman would be appointed to the board to fill Eitrem's vacant seat." Audience members were equally divided as to whether they opposed or would approve a Special Election.

However, one thing was made very clear:
Regardless of the direction of the election, the acceptance of the results and the appointment would be at the pleasure of the board. In other words, just as you voted in previous elections, it doesn't mean a thing if the same 7 people on the board vote to disapprove your vote. I guess that explains why those same 7 continue to dispute the cost of an election....because they aren't going to listen to you anyway.

SAULT TRIBE MEETING TONIGHT

2011-05-24T08:46:00.000-07:00

Will there be a decision tonight on whether to appoint a chairperson or hold a special election? Try to attend if you can and show support for what you believe is the right thing to do.

Family Loyalty

2011-05-22T18:24:00.000-07:00

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS

2011-05-20T15:26:00.001-07:00

ACCEPTING RESUMES FOR CHAIRPERSON.....APPLY WITHIN

2011-05-20T09:02:00.000-07:00

With so many members of the tribe who have displayed integrity and intelligence in the way they live their lives, why settle for anything less to sit in the chairperson's seat of the Sault Tribe. If you are interested in holding a seat and would like to expand on your qualifications and principles, send a letter to weave977@yahoo.com and I will post it here.

Below is Aaron Payments desires for the Sault Tribe.

I support a separation of powers and granting the Membership standing in Tribal Court to bring a cause of action against their government if our Constitutional rights are violated. Some are easily fooled by the smokescreen that a separation of powers is the 'white mans' way but a separation of powers originated from the Iroquois Confederacy.

I support elected judges who must be Sault Tribe Members and have law degrees with experience in Indian law. Once elected, the only cause for removal of judges should be for malfeasance and not because the board or chairperson threatens your job.

I support a separation between the board and chair functions but since the people have already decided that issue, I would support the Chair being a facilitator between the administration and the Board to ease operations and for immediate decision making.

In our day an age, gaining a consensus before acting is easily accomplished. I support enhancing the democratic principles of the Members to weigh in on all decisions of the elected body. Again, with technology like Survey Monkey or other on-line survey instruments, we can at least ask the members for direction before making major decisions.

Any appropriations over $500,000 should be ratified by the Membership. The Board or Administration should be prohibited from spending new money until after the referendum period has passed.

One big thing missing is any semblance of labor rights within our employment. I support enacting tribal labor law, conferring irrevocable jurisdiction to an independent tribal court and an administrative procedures act to provide all employees a right to their jobs. If we do this right, employees won't need to unionize. The 2% raise for employees over three years is shameful.

Finally, I support both term limits and a recall provision to allow Members to decide more timely if someone on the Board (or Chair) is violating the principles of democracy. Of course, these items would need to be scrutinized by the people and yes, voted on by the people.

Respectfully,
Aaron Payment

Lovelorn Grondin's Blind Desire for Lana Causley

2011-05-19T21:24:00.000-07:00

I received the email below from Tony Grondin today and it makes me ill the extent that some people will go to in order to promote their political favorites and fantasies. The suggestion that Aaron Payment had anything to do with Fred Paquin's crimes are nothing but slanderous untrue statements. When Aaron Payment received information that Paquin was involved in the embezzlement of government funds, he assisted and worked with the FBI during the investigation of Paquin. I also received information regarding Paquin's fraud and embezzlement that I supplied to Aaron Payment and Todd Gravelle, who in turn supplied such to the federal authorities. If anything, Aaron (and Todd) were responsible for the successful conviction of the former Sault Tribe police chief.

It has been said that Mr. Grondin has a long standing lovesick infatuation with Lana Causley and will do or say anything to support her. The email (below) that I received, with its blatant lies intended to promote Causley's appointment, confirms it for me. I normally ignore Grondin's nonsense but this letter calls for an immediate response to dispute such blatant and inflammatory lies.

I, for one, have had it with this tribe being run on lies and misinformation. The lovelorn Grondin should realize by now that the object of his desires only purpose for him is to perpetuate a continued string of deception.

Grondin wrote:
"To all concerned tribal members,

It is apparent that there may not be enough time to have a special election before the term of Joe McCoy's Chairman's seat is up. It is even more apparent that Aaron Payment is getting nervous as he is concerned Vice-Chairman Lana Causley may be appointed Chairperson for the remainder of McCoy's term.

We must remember that Aaron Payment was part of the administration that allowed Felon, Fred Paquin, now serving a year in federal prison, to abuse his power and steal from the Federal Government. There is a real possibility that Aaron Payment will be the target of a federal investigation for abuses of the office of Chairman of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

Time and time again I hear that we need to let our ELECT officials make decisions we elected them for. Those decision include appointing a chairman if the seat is vacated before the term is up. In one of our recent tribal news publications ex-chairman Joe McCoy chastised the membership for asking for a referendum because of the expense.

We now have another ex-chairman, Aaron Payment, urging our elected officials to spend more money on a special election to fill the chairman's seat that will be decided by the membership anyway in little over a year. History tells us that ex-chairman Aaron Payment, has little regard for spending money as one of his first directives as chairman was to put a private shower in his office.

It's time our elected officials make responsible decisions. We have an ex-chairman, Aaron Payment that has been out of the loop. wanting to come back for a little over a year and make decisions on things that our sitting board knows more about right now. There are 12 sitting board members to choose from to fill the chairman's seat for the remainder of the term."

THE PLOT

2011-05-17T19:17:00.000-07:00

Hypothetical scenario...
1. Spread the rumor that the Chairman wants out.
2. Plan the timeline---must be accomplished at the right time to eliminate the possibility of a Special Election.
3. Review the election code with a fine tooth comb.
4. Prepare the letter of resignation but leave the date blank for now.

"Damn those tribal citizens really screwed up the plan with all their stupid petitions."
"Crap...the letter of resignation includes the CEO position."
"There's no time...just cross it out."

And we all know what happened next.

The PLOT thickens...to be continued....

CAN YOU HEAR US NOW?

2011-05-13T20:01:00.000-07:00

Since the news of Joe McCoy's sudden announcement to resign as Chairman of the Sault Tribe, the response from citizens of the tribe overwhelmingly call for a Special Election. For proof, all one needs to do is read the comments on the various web-based news providers that ran the story, this blog and on Facebook.

As a result of a search of all available links to the story, I was able to compile a consensus from those who took the time to voice their opinions. Right or wrong, but definitely not indifferent, it appears that by an overwhelming majority the citizens want the return of Aaron Payment and also by an overwhelming majority, do NOT want Bernard Bouschor or Lana Causley appointed to hold the top position in our tribe.

It's clearer than a bell or in words written in gold across the sky, clearer than the water of Lake Superior and clearer than the bluest sky....citizens of the Sault Tribe do not want an appointed Chairperson, but they do want a Special Election. Some feel that since Payment was the runner-up in the last Chairman's election that he be approached to finish out McCoy's term.

Whether there is a Special Election or the runner-up from the last election is chosen, those are the only two options that represent the voices of the citizens of the Sault Tribe. A vote to do otherwise by any members of the Sault Tribe Board of Directors will surely seal their fate as not representing the will of the people and will therefore by ousted from their cushy little board seat as soon as their name comes up next to an oval that needs to filled out with blue or black ink. Are the directors listening? Can you hear us now!

From the Sault Tribe website....

2011-05-10T18:41:00.001-07:00

LATEST NEWS
Sault Tribe Chairman Resigns
Written by Communications Department
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
Sault Ste. Marie, MI - Sault Tribe Chairman Darwin "Joe" McCoy on Tuesday night announced his immediate resignation as the elected leader of the 39,000-member Tribe.

His brief resignation letter to the Sault Tribe Board of Directors provided no specific reasons for his decision to resign other than "circumstances beyond my control."

McCoy had served for nearly three years as Chairman after being elected by members of the Tribe.

Under the Tribe's Constitution:

1. Board Vice Chairperson Lana Causley will serve as interim Chairperson until a successor is appointed or elected.

2. The Sault Tribe Board will decide as soon as possible whether to either appoint a successor, as specified in the Tribal constitution, or call an advisory special election to fill the seat under Tribal law.

All Board members pledged a smooth transition to the new chairperson.

McCoy Resigned as Chair?!

2011-05-10T18:31:00.001-07:00

Apparently Joe McCoy resigned as Chairman of the Sault Tribe tonight stating personal reasons. That's the news but no confirmation yet.

SUCCESSFUL TRIBES ARE RESHAPING GOVERNANCE

2011-05-10T15:46:00.000-07:00

Successful Tribes Are Reshaping Governance
By Mary Annette Pember

"The problems of some Indian communities were cemented in old governmental structures, set up by the US Department of the Interior 80 years ago. Now many tribes are rewriting their rules of governance, for greater transparency."

Read the full article...copy and paste link in your browser.

http://www.dailyyonder.com/successful-tribes-are-recrafting-government/2011/05/03/3308

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST CHILDREN

2011-05-08T06:47:00.000-07:00

Happy Mothers Day Ladies but there is a special group that always comes to mind on Mother's Day and this is for them:

Author Unknown:
I was thinking of you today,
And how painful it might be,
To have lived through the death of your child
When that was never the way
You saw their life to be.
On this day when children honor their mother…
Though they are not here to tell you,
Always their mother, you shall be.
For though your child has died before you,
So painful to imagine
The light of your child will always
Return to touch you;
And in a quiet voice, whisper words of love.
This is not a mother’s day you ever planned.
That sorrow and loss, I respect.
Words do not say enough.
My thoughts are with you on a day
Of sadness and memories,
For you, their mother.

Co-opted Board Members

2011-04-26T19:48:00.000-07:00

Sault Ste. Marie, Mi... The Sault Tribe is fortunate or unfortunate; however, you want to view it to have several Tom Delay's on the board. Mr. Delay met newcomers to Washington at the steps of the nation’s capital. He opened their car doors and if they needed a pack of cigarettes, he had it for them. If they needed a valet, there was someone available. If they needed help with anything at all, he was Johnny on the Spot.

Over the years, Mr. Delay became one of the most powerful men on the hill. His competitiveness and pay to play and fund raising activities made him one of the most sought after men in Washington.

Some tribal board members are like that: directors Abramson and Bouchor and Causley welcomed directors-elect Hollowell and Pine with open arms. They did everything they could to make them feel at home on the board. They ingratiated them to the point where they won their support on an issue of utmost importance to them... board secrecy. An issue that just happened to co-opt them and put them at odds with most of the membership and on another issue, ignoring the results of referendums, after which their having voted upon they were no longer representatives of the people, but…directors, belonging to the system.

Directors...not civil servants but corporate directors…who reviewed reams of information absorbing countless facts and who ultimately overlooked all the tribe's activities, both governmental and entrepreneurial. Who belonged to the ruling clique that controlled the board now, who were thus in a position to control legislation and peddle influence and strike fear into the hearts of those who defied them.

Suddenly these newly elected directors knew a great deal more about what was going on in the tribe than those who elected them. Having no one to answer to when they didn’t feel like it and with the tribal newsletter available to spout their views in, they now looked forward to the support of their counterparts at election time. Coached in the mechanics and strategies of retaining their newly won seats, having gained a position allowing them to dominate the very people who elected them, they had, so to speak, turned the tables.

Whoever would not play by their rules now, they would have very little to do with if anything at all. Members worked for them now, rather than the other way around. They were directors...conscriptions to a board culture and in doctrinaires to a system, who wouldn’t need the general membership again until the next elections…and then only for a short while.

Thank you, Charles Forgrave

Quip Pro Quo vs. the New Constitution

2011-04-23T07:25:00.000-07:00

Sault Ste. Marie, Mi...There's a feeling of foreboding in the air. Director Bouschor is trying for a comeback. He's trading on his success in beating the payout rap and the metals awarded him by hanger's-on and other, scratch my back I'll scratch yours' leaders in the community. Director Bouschor operated in the wings of the Payment Administration and successfully obstructed the implementation of the new tribal constitution. With the help of his henchmen on the board as well as those employed in various governmental departments, he successfully blocked reforms the Payment administration worked hard to put in place.

Director Bouschor resents Aaron Payment for turning on him after mentoring him for years. What's he missing here: Payment renounced his quid pro quo style of government. He decided there had to be something better and he went on to graduate school and earned a Master Degree in Public Administration. He studied governmental systems and learned things that his mentor didn't know.

Quip pro quo...it's when public officials, in a position to make a difference, peddle that influence to turn a dollar for themselves. In exchange for an order with a vendor, they ask him to pay part of his campaign expenses. If a construction firm wants to work for the tribe, they have to pony up. Lawyers have to divvy up for tribal business sent their way. Constituents have to blindly support them for putting their children to work or helping with financial aide for college or admission to a trade or business school.

Board members as well as constituents often point out that director Bouschor signed the contract for Greektown without lawyers or anybody else present...just him and the Greeks. Many believe he got a check in the mail every month as a result of that deal. Payment isn't quip pro quo. At a public meeting in the JKL Building several years ago, he attuned to his constituents for his mentoring by and his following in the ways of director Bouschor for several years.

Bouschor is out to restore his standing in the tribal community. He's out to make a name for himself again. He has no interest in the new constitution or in better government. He refers to those things as revolutionary. He sees himself as a tribal chief and tribal members as his subjects. He wants their blind support. With his imperialistic style of leadership, he dominates the very people he claims to work for. He's a failed businessman who has a desire to be a corporate leader. He's all about money.

Since the nineties the tribe hasn't seen one business success. Bouschor accrued all his medals in the monopolistic years of setting up tribal casino on trust land across the Upper Peninsula. With that market saturated, economic development in the tribal community stopped. Without the tax breaks of trust lands and a monopoly in the market place, the Bouschor people weren't able to compete. In the ensuing years since then the tribe has lost tens of millions of dollars: with some estimates being as low as $80,000,000.00 and others as high as $1,500,000,000.00.

All of the tribal slush funds (self-sufficiency funds) have been used up. The elders are told they have nothing to complain about because the tribe is paying them 12% on their land claims fund...which doesn't exist any more and once amounted to $29,000,000.00.

The trouble here is the question it raises: Is director Bouschor mentoring Chairman McCoy? It doesn't look good. Chairman McCoy broke his campaign promise to separate the chair and the CEO roles of tribal government. He's exercising the authority of tribal CEO despite last summer's referendum separating those two positions. Like with director Bouschor himself, this reflects the little respect he has for the will of the people. Even under the articles of the present tribal constitution he's clearly a rogue chairman.

There is an answer: it's in the articles of the new constitution. Quit selling your souls for a few dollars more. Pull your hand back and say no to a handout from tribal officials. Educate yourself and find your own job, be it with the tribe or elsewhere. The Bouschor Regime is the worst thing to ever happen to the tribe. It's corrupted the heads of many of our large familys and has establish corruption as the only way of doing the tribe's business.

Don't mistake or underestimate director Bouschor. He's the tribe's dapper don...a master manipulator and a behind the scenes operator. Nothing good will ultimately come from activities on the board.

Appreciate it: the Payment Administration, whether you liked it or supported it or not, called together a committee of community members and they, with the help of two constitutional lawyers, wrote a new constitution for the tribe. The answers are in it. Study it over. Support it.

All the tools for doing cleaning up government and changing the way it does business are in between the covers of that document.

Thank you,
Charles Forgrave

Your Right to Vote is in Their Pockets

2011-04-13T17:24:00.000-07:00

Elections during the past thirty years have been plagued by ballots missing through the U.S. mail and ballots mysteriously appearing in the counting room. Each time, it benefited the Bouschor Machine in one way or another. It isn't a coincidence that the Election Committee has been chaired by a "core family" member. In some cases, entire families are denied their right to vote through a snafu with the mail or a software problem.. wink.. wink.

Despite the fact that they have received their ballots for twelve elections prior, individuals who were clearly opposing the Bouschor menace failed to receive their ballot during critical elections that could have change the balance of power. Each time that they inquired about their voter registration, they were told everything is fine. They were told that they should have received their ballot.

So, what can you do about it?
Filing charges against the Election Committee Chairman for negligence, and incompetence will not get you your vote. All you will get from Abramson, Causley, McCoy, Pine or Bouschor ....is ..."We really know that it is a problem. We are addressing the issue,".....what they are really saying , is...."So What?"

It will take great effort to unseat the mafia.
Desire, money, time and a coordinated effort is required here....to get your vote back.
RJ

A Symbol of the Need to Control

2011-04-11T19:45:00.000-07:00

Sault Ste. Marie, Mi...It's eighty miles from the Soo to Whitefish Point. Still, both of these communities are in unit one.

Unit one takes in the Soo area as far out as Kinross. Then it snakes westward becoming a narrow strip of land taking in all of the small communities along the shore.

It's as extreme example of Gerrymandering; done by the politicians of the Soo to beef up the number of directors in their area to give them more clout on the board.

Thus the snide reference to the Sault Tribe as the Sault Saint Marie Tribe of Unit One Indians. Of the the thirteen directors on the board, the Soo has five of them.

What do the people of Whitefish Point have in common with the people of the Soo? Not as much as they have in common with the people of Newberry...or even Munising. Still, they're not in either of those units.

As much as anything else, this disproportioned claim to the voting membership is a symbol of the deeper problems plaguing tribal government. Where simple fairness should rule how the tribe does the people's business, power and the need to control rule it instead.

Thank you, Charles Forgrave

WHY YOU VOTED NO TO ROMULUS

2011-04-04T21:01:00.000-07:00

Most Sault tribe citizens would love to see their tribe move forward into new revenue-producing deals with reputable business partners. We don't criticize or push for a voice just for lack of something better to do. Wouldn't anyone with a shred of common sense be very careful of who they trusted with their major sources of revenue?

It's obvious that the tribal members have more common sense than those on the Sault Tribe board who tried to push the same old fishy deals with the same old fishy dealers from the past. We remember the names of those we prefer not to do business with but why doesn't Bernard Bouschor, Lana Causley, Joe McCoy, Debra Pine, Pat Rickley, Keith Massaway, Catherine Hollowell and Cathy Abramson remember?

Here's a reminder of why you voted NO to doing business with Ted Gatzaros:

According to an article by David Ashenfelter,Detroit Free Press Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News (Feb. 2003),a federal prosecutor said in court papers that Ted Gatzaros and Jim Papas were accused of conspiring with a Maryland businessman to swindle the federal government in a multimillion-dollar loan scheme.

The government alleged that Gatzaros and Papas defaulted on loans in the early 1990s, then paid a Maryland businessman, William Schainker, to illegally acquire the defaulted loans at a large discounted price, at a federal auction. The government also said that Schainker transferred the notes to Gatzaros and Papas, and that the plan was designed to clean up Gatzaros' and Papas' financial problems.

Lawyers for Ted Gatzaros & Jim Papas responded to the U.S. Justice Department that both were victims of a fraudulent scheme and were not involved in any criminal or improper conduct.

But also in Feb. 2003, a news article stated that William Schainker, of Chevy Chase, Md. who was accused of illegally helping Gatzaros and Papas buy back defaulted loans at a large discount, pleaded guilty in federal court. As part of a plea deal, Schainker pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States.

Why, why, why would an elected board decide to do business with those who were involved in an attempt to defraud the federal government? Most of the above mentioned directors also protected the former police chief, Fred Paquin, who is now serving a year in federal prison for defrauding the federal government.

We voted NO, but the eight Sault Tribe representatives simply switched out the names, mixed it up a little bit hoping to confuse you, repackaged it, named it a horse of a different color, and continued to move forward with their plan.

The lack of trust is not just with Gatzaros, Pappas or the new guy Sawruk, but with the same old Sault Tribe elected officials who continue to involve us in the same old questionable deals over and over and over again. Bouschor, McCoy and Causley...always seem to be in cohoots with the wrong people. Just more examples of that 'Birds of a Feather' proverb. They just can't be trusted to do the right thing. They are why we voted NO.

Lynne Weaver

Needed Referendum Reforms

2011-04-03T17:09:00.001-07:00

Sault Ste. Marie, Mi...Director Miller of unit 4 has it right about needed referendum reforms.

Mr. Miller believes the tribe needs a rule in place that prohibits payments ...like those to Indian Energy and Fred Paquinn and Bernard Boushor...before the possible 30-day referendum period expires.

In the case of Indian Energy, the tribe stood to lose a million dollars if that investment proposal was voted down, in that a million dollars was already invested into the company before the referendum period expired.

In the case of Fred Paquinn and Bernard Boushor, $18,000.00 and $300,000.00 plus respectively was paid out before the referendum period expired.

As director Miller explained...otherwise the referendum process and the right of the membership can be circumvented or at the very least, rendered powerless.

Take note of this directors McCoy and Pine...you're the ones who've been playing Russian roulette with the membership's money...not the tribal members themselves. $20,000.00 for a referendum is peanuts compared to the money you have wasted and put at risk.

Tribal Citizens / No Faith in Their Government

2011-04-03T07:02:00.000-07:00

Sault Ste. Marie, Mi...Years ago the huge country of China was ruled by the 'gang of four." It was during the Chinese cultural revolution and the Maoist were on the tear.

The Sault Tribe doesn't have a group on the tear, but it does have a 'gang of six' or seven ruling it. It is one of the frustrating realities of its government and how it works...or doesn't work, whatever the case may be.

Seven directors, usually four or five from the Sault (unit one), and two or three from the outer units (Hessel and St. Ignace), join together and trade favors and rule by way of a simple majority. Just as often as not, the remaining five or six directors are left out in the cold...excluded from having access to insider information.

In that 'the gang' gets away with blatantly ignoring the constitution and referendums and in that it controls the judiciary and the election committee and the tribal newspaper and its websites and radio programs and the hiring and firing of everybody and everything else...citizens are left with is a government which dominates them.

A government that serves itself first and those it purportedly represents second. A government which refuses to police itself and allows blatant corruption to continue unchecked. That allows directors to break tribal election laws and steal money from it and get away with it. To routinely break their oath of office to the point where the oath doesn't mean a thing anymore...to get off with it completely and without even the slightest of consequences.

The situation is so dire that citizens are lucky to experience democracy even once every four years...as even the election process itself is so corrupt that many creditable individuals have absolutely no faith in it

Thank you, Charles Forgrave

WHAT IS DEMOCRACY WORTH?

2011-03-24T07:17:00.000-07:00

The small majority of Board members and the chairman would have you believe that referendums are not necessary.
After all, they were elected to make the hard financial decisions.
They continue to complain of the cost for each referendum, in their Board Notes and in public.

It is because they are withholding government from the people that these referendums are exercised.
It is because the majority of tribal citizens feel that the "elected" are motivated by greed instead of good government.
Citizens are resorting to a constitutional right and their "elected" are complaining.

The government that the Sault Tribe members are getting is the "after the fact " government.
They have been excluded from participating.
That is why distrust exist.

The cost of democracy pales in comparison to the billion and a half that has been squandered by the "elected", in the last decade.

ELECTIONS ARE COMING.............

rj

Eve of Destruction/1965-- Fitting for 2011

2011-03-15T08:33:00.000-07:00

Path to Destruction/2011
By Jamie Walker:

My apologies to;
P.F. Sloan and Berry McGuire: Eve of destruction/1965

The middle Eastern world, it is exploding
While we're over there
America's imploding
You're old enough to know better
but you're not voting
You wont enlist in war
what's that video game you're totin'?
as the political parties
keep the deficit growin'

and you still waaaatch American Idol and two and a half men, my friend
Cause you refuse to see
We're on the path to destruction.

You don't understand the game they're
going to play
You'd better start hoping there's a
next payday
When the market goes bust
the rich will get their way
There'll be nothing in your savings
the economy looks grave
Open your eyes up boy
it better scare ya boy

and you still waaaatch American Idol and two and a half men, my friend
Cause you refuse to see
We're on the path to destruction.

The guy you voted for
is in the backroom tradin'
or sittin in the men's room
tappin' the next patron
They like to twist the truth
they have no hesitation
Handful of new Senators
Don't intend to save this Nation
And mass marches alone
will show them we're frustrated
Don't let human respect
go disintegrating
This whole entire country
is gettin' crazy

and you still waaaatch American Idol and two and a half men, my friend
Cause you refuse to see
We're on the path to destruction.

Think of all the hatred
we have for the "other"
while our little children
can't get healthcare for their mother

Well you may ignore all this
while stuffing your face
To have all your luxuries
spits on half the human race
the clearing of the forests
and the mountains of waste
claims that horizontal drilling
doesn't leave a trace
go ahead and fight your neighbor
while the elites take the place

and you still waaaatch American Idol and two and a half men, my friend
Cause you refuse to see,
We're on the path to destruction.

Jamie Walker is a Sault Tribe member.

SAULT TRIBE UNDERCOVER AGENTS HIDE THE TRUTH

2011-03-09T19:38:00.000-08:00

Isn't that the new title that should be given to the majority of the Sault Tribe Board of Directors...'Undercover Agents'? With the exception of five or so, aren't the remaining directors really working 'undercover'? Undercover from the scrutiny of the members, that is. Mystery novel terminology, like 'beneath a cloak of secrecy' or 'swathed in deceit,' certainly describes those board members we have come to distrust. It's not because we are a bunch of suspicious, feeble-minded, minions as some in control would like to think, but it is what we have not only learned to do, but what we need to do, as a result of the actions of the same old deceivers.

I almost puked when I read the title of Bernard Bouschor's unit report. What a bunch of 'pat-me-on-the-back', 'don't-hate-me-for-taking-your-money', 'love-me-cause-I-said-so' B.S. Anyone under the watch of an entire tribe could have done the same as he claims to have done. Anyone with a good dose of honesty, integrity, deep concern for every fellow man, woman and child, and a friggin' conscience could have done twice as much, if not more, than Bouschor did for our tribe.

Lets compare..take a look at what Bay Mills Indian Community, located in Brimley, MI, just 20 miles or so from the Sault, has done with much less. Two casinos, a world class golf course, an RV park & campgrounds, a wonderful community college, an elementary school, a very nice community and housing development, a health center, a police department and soon a mini-mall. Members can lease a plot of land from their tribe, at a cost of $1 for 99 years, on which to build a home. I know I have missed a few great things but they have done more for their people with a lot less than the Sault Tribe has done with much more.

What else did we get from Bouschor besides his grandiose claims:...a huge, doomed-from-the-start, failed money pit called Greektown, thirty-plus (30+) failed businesses, lots of questionable backroom deals, insider information (rumors or truth?) of millions gone to the Cayman Islands, Netherlands and Australia, the infamous 'Barge' and a whole lot of legal problems and associated costs. Many employees feared for their jobs under his rule, and rightfully so. Members were threatened for speaking out and employees were approached while on the job by his henchman and told they better be voting for old Bernie.

Look what happened when he took over the tribe again. People were fired and their right to file a grievance or appeal was also taken away. They lost their years of earned vacation, sick and personal time but Bernie votes to pay off his old buddy, Fred the former police chief (who is sitting in federal prison for embezzlement) for his sick time. Pat yourself on the back Bernie and thanks...you did us proud or so you would like the rest of the world to believe!

On top of everything else, we have to listen to a few directors who whine and complain because we have the internet and we use it. How are they supposed to keep their secrets if we keep posting them on the internet? Information about our tribe isn't going to be printed in the Sault Tribe newspaper nor will we hear about it at a tribal meeting. This is what we are left to do and this is what it will be.

We also have the right to referendum and have only just begun to use it. So what if it costs 30-40 grand. The blame lies solely with Chairman McCoy, who holds the secrets, that create the problems, that result in petitions and referendums. It has even been suggested that this site and others are being used to incite a revolution. A revolution is, according to the dictionary, "A fundamental change in power or organizational structure that takes place in a relatively short period of time. Complete change from one constitution to another. Modification of an existing constitution." Okay than....a revolution it is.

No longer do we have to talk only among ourselves, and fortunately, we have a couple of directors who are not afraid to speak out. It may not be a short period of time to do what must be done but the truth is....change is coming.

Lynne Weaver

Sault Tribe Government / A Bad Influence On its' Own People
From:
Charles Forgrave

Sault Ste. Marie, Mi...Well, members can be thankful for the Payment Referendum defeating the Gatzaros/Campbell proposal for a casino in Romulus. The proposal would have given them 26% of the gross proceeds for the life of the casino and your money would have built it.

The new proposal voted by the board is a much better deal: plans are for developer Sawruck to get 14% of the gross proceeds for six plus years and he will pick up all the financing associated with licensing, developing and building it.

What is disappointing again is the way the board handled the deal. Instead of bringing it forward for a public debate before voting, the board voted on it and then, late into the referendum period, released information on it and set up informational meetings.

The board has a terrible track record when it comes to investing your money...and why they think they can do a better job of it without your help is puzzling. They seem to be under the delusion that you elected them to make those decisions without any consultation with you.

The problem is that it's not their money they're investing, it's yours. They don't have any skin in the game and, success or failure, they still get paid the same. They make money transacting the deal itself: on kickbacks for influence peddling and on consulting fees and employment opportunities for themselves and their family and friends. With their 'me first' attitudes they can be wrong and still make money for themselves. It's you that gets hurt if your investment fails, not them.

Well anyway, thanks to the Payment Referendum you won't have the Gatzaros\Campbell deal hanging over your heads. It will be quite a surprise if Mr. Sawruck is able to get his deal approved by the state and federal governments. However, it will be a good deal for the tribe, if he is successful.

Sadly enough, there are still unanswered question concerning this latest deal. Members suspect that Gatzaros and Campbell are somehow involved in it through Michigan Gaming LLC. Others have questions about the name of the company incorporated by Sawruck.

This lack of communication is a pathetic state of affairs. Members have to wonder, who are these people that represent them? Why do they keep everything secret the way they do? They act like dictators in Northern Africa the way they control information.

What it amounts to is that tribal leaders are ignorant. They don't understand government or how democracies work. They haven't studied it. Hundreds of years ago, countries did away with kings and dictators and Indian Chiefs. They revolted against them and set up constitutional democracies. No longer were they subject to the whims and foolishness of despots, they could now put their faith in constitutions and institutions and public offices. Government was not longer about individual people, it was about systems and laws and rules.

Unfortunately, the Sault Tribe is stuck in the past. Your leaders seem to think they're your moms and dads. They treat you like you're kids who can't be trusted with money decisions...who don't need to know what they're doing with your money. You don't need benevolent leadership. You don't need any of their paternalistic caring. They work for you. Many of them aren't qualify for the board positions and you need to get rid of them...like they have so often gotten rid of many of you.

Get rid of your corrupt leaders and set up a government that is an example for your children. This board behaves like a bunch of gangsters. There's so much misrepresentation of the facts and lying and distorting and dissembling of the truth that decent people want nothing to do with it. You want your children to connect to their government and be proud of it. You want a government who's inner workings are not shameful and sleazy and a bad influence on your children.

Six years ago you spent $400,000.00 to write a new constitution. The board voted and said after the constitutional committee was finished with it, they would review it and send it out for your vote. Well, they didn't do it. You put up with too much from them. It's time for you to get madder than hell and get rid of most of them. Have them either send the new constitution for your vote or vote them out of office. Under the circumstances you may have to settle for democracy once every four years.But remember, you don't need them. The best thing you can do it to get rid of them. Lots of talented people with college degrees are willing and able to do a better job of handling your business for you.

Thank you, Charles Forgrave

Been Thunking / Tribal News

2011-03-06T05:34:00.000-08:00

By:
Charles Forgrave

Sault Ste. Marie, Mi...There's an old saying, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Case in point, the referendum process: were it not for the Payment Referendum on the last casino deal we wouldn't be reviewing this Romulus Casino deal with Mr. Sawruck. We would be living with the old one with Mr. Gatzaros and Mr. Campbell.

From the sounds of things, this latest deal is much better than the previous one. Instead of two investors getting 13% a piece (26% together) for a lifetime, one investor is getting 14% for seven years. Instead of the tribe putting up all the money, the investor is putting up all the money...from the sounds of it, this latest deal is worth tens of millions of additional dollars.

Thanks to what? Thanks to the Payment Referendum that defeated the Gatzaros/Campbell proposal. Who is responsible for that referendum, our great and highly esteemed, handsome and debonair, smart and educated former tribal chairman, Mr. Aaron Payment...ta ta, ta ta, ta ta!
Well, it is the simple truth...thunk about it.

So what gives? Why are Chairman McCoy, directors Pine and Causley determined now to see that the referendum process is changed...to one more difficult for the membership to use. On the surface they're worried about the cost...($20,000.00...$30,000.00 or $40,000.00 which ever it is?) But is that the real reason...or are they out to stop an old political opponent. After all, former chairman Payment has indicated that he may be a candidate in 2012. the Payment Referendum will bring tens of millions of additional dollars into the tribal coffer over the life of the casino, if the Sawruck deal succeeds.

So what's gives? Because of the Payment Referendum, tens of millions of additional dollars will come into the tribal coffers over the life of this proposed casino, if the Sawruck deal succeeds, and these board members are harping about the cost of a referendum...from the looks of it the Payment Referendum was worth millions of referendums.

So much for broken government, i.e., a government that isn't working for the members, because it's always caught up in internal struggles.

Director Pine isn't completely self absorbed though. She does have some reform in mind for the tribe...perhaps enough to redeem her. She's come out in support of an independent judiciary. You have to wonder...what all is that about?

Director Boushor is still busy propping up, rebuilding, restoring, whatever, his public persona. Will he ever give up? Talk about using the tribal newspaper for your own personal purposes as well as political ones.

Oh yes, director Pine and director Boushor are still working closely together rewriting tribal history...everything that the tribe is today is because of them and theirs.

Sure? Okay, maybe they're right? think about it: we're in debt over our ears and our once promising future was squandered and mismanaged...so maybe they are right?

More later...

Thank you, Charles Forgrave

Beginning of the New Mackinac Bands Nation

2011-03-03T16:08:00.001-08:00

Three of the Largest and Oldest Mackinac Bands groups unite.

Without attorneys," proclaims Nathan Wright, Chairman of Consoliated Bahweting Ojibwa and Mackinac Tribe." Attorneys are important to helping us. It sure is nice to just get a group of people together without them. We all agree to work together. This is the Mackinac Bands way"

The three groups met in St. Ignace on March 2, 2011 to discuss unification . The next day all groups met with their Council and all decided unanimously to unite together.

"This will bring an end to the era of Mackinac Bands turmoil. We are all together now. This is the base for all groups to be a part of. We have shown we can unite on all of our terms not just one group," says John Dutcher Chairman of Michilmackinac.

Vada Wait, Chairperson of the Mackinac Bands of Chippewa and Ottawa Indians says, "this is a historical event for all of our people". "It has been a long time in the works to unify all of our groups as we go forward in gaining our Federal Recognition".

The Council has many hurdles ahead of them. Much of which is already in play. Uniting the groups together only increases the speed for all groups to gain Federal Recognition.

We invite all of our brothers and sisters to join us. Let us all work together as we go forward in obtaining our goals.

INDIAN TRUST SETTLEMENT

2011-03-03T06:04:00.000-08:00

Will the Indian Trust Settlement affect you? Please refer to the attached video to learn more about this historic settlement regarding the mismanagement of Indian lands.

WANT A JOB?

2011-02-28T16:15:00.001-08:00

Buy American....!
Stop buying imports, for crying out loud, and put Americans back to work.

Consolidated Bahweting Ojibwa and Mackinac Tribe #64 Will Not Support the Current Mackinac Group Compact.

2011-02-25T18:07:00.000-08:00

Press Release 2/25/2011

Cites Fraudulent Claims By Other Groups and Unequal Representation of All Mackinac Group Members.

Early this morning Consolidated Bahweting Ojibwa of Mackinac Tribes announces it does not currently support the Mackinac Group Compact citing the following reasons:

1. The lead attorney does not currently represent all parties. He only represents one: Barry Adam’s group est 2008 . Barry’s group has fraudulently claimed to be 64 (see document).

2. We are being pressured to sign a document as quickly as possible without obtaining the advice of our attorney.

3. Yesterday Consolidated Bahweting Ojibwa and Mackinac Tribe #64 announced we were consulting an attorney to go over the compact, the next day we were removed as one of the compact signers.

4. Barry Adam's attorney has apparently self-appointed a representative to go to Washington without consulting all groups which essentially violates the compact where all parties make decisions by consensus.

5. Other groups are not allowed to participate, and some of the groups that are, claim to be representatives of groups they are not.

Link attached to complete story.

OH THE DRAMA!

2011-02-25T08:21:00.000-08:00

A late night conversation with Catherine Hollowell yielded some peculiar observations. An earlier discussion with a Sault Tribe member spurred a string of comments on Facebook in response to a remark made by Aaron Payment.

Several points in the string were related to constitutional violations as well as a private message to me that Hollowell had made a motion to ignore the last referendum calling for an election. Someone asked the Tribe’s attorney if that action was a removable offense and he replied that it was, and as a result, Hollowell rescinded her motion. Hollowell responded by writing that “someone told you wrong” and asked that I call her, which I did.

After a very lengthy conversation it came down to the fact that once she knew it was a violation of the Constitution, she rescinded her motion. So it was true with one omission; that because it was a Constitution violation she rescinded her motion. Okay, but that sounds very similar to what I wrote in the first place but perhaps the Sault Tribe member who was there saw it differently than Hollowell’s actual intentions.

Hollowell also said that the two motions in question were the motions to pay off the imprisoned former police chief, Fred Paquin, for his sick time and to appeal the 7+2 case, that it was a waste of money since it was already a done deal and that there was not enough time to discuss it with the members. She did state that Bernard voted against the last one. I questioned why was he allowed to vote and why would it even count but the conversation was redirected to misinformation caused by the internet writings of tribal members....who me?

Cue the drama. Hollowell scolded me numerous times for the content on this blog, even suggesting that I hold some responsibility for the 30 plus death threats she has received. Huh? She suggested that I was trying to incite a violent revolt by reminding readers of what has occurred in the Middle East lately. Since I didn’t recall writing anything of the sort, I referred to this site for a quick check and found nothing where I had made such a suggestion. She then recanted by saying it wasn’t me but someone who posted a comment. Unlike the Sault Tribe paper, I allow freedom of speech provided they are legitimate concerns. Take a clue from what members are saying. If some are suggesting that we have to overturn our government than it’s time to wake up directors and stop blaming the members for our opinions.

Our discussion continued regarding the lack of communication between the actions of the board and the members of the tribe as well as our happy little tribal newspaper that only presents the sunny side of the tribe rather than the reality. Between trying to get a word in, I attempted to suggest that directors should utilize the internet more frequently so that their constituents would not feel left out but Cathy thought that would lead to a lot more miscommunication. That logic eludes me since the internet is the most common means of communication today.

Hollowell also backed Debra Pine in her response to Charles Forgraves eluding to the opinion that ‘why should Pine respond to him when he has been so insulting to her since the beginning of the election.’ I see it differently. If you own a business and a customer complains about the service, do you tell them to shove their opinion or do you enter into a discussion in an attempt to come to a favorable conclusion?

If not for those who hold the elected to higher standards, there would be no point in holding an election and we could just shut up and settle for a dictatorship. All I can say is, we don’t want the drama. What we want is for the directors and chairman of the Sault Tribe to listen to what the members have to say and take the time to explain the actions of the board or expect to be disrespected.

UPDATE: I was just informed that it was Director Malloy who questioned the unconstitutionality of ignoring the recent referendums as well as why it was even up for discussion. Thank you, Director Malloy, for standing up for the rights of Sault Tribe members. As soon as this semester is over, I plan on attending the meetings to support you and I encourage others to join me.

CHI NODIN

2011-02-20T14:17:00.000-08:00

Strong, powerful winds of change are predicted for the Sault Tribe.

Most of us can say, without a doubt, which political party defines our beliefs in the U.S. Government, even if those beliefs change as our needs change.

Some of us adhere to a certain religion while others do not, and some play it safe...just in case.

There are advocates for clean energy with theories based on climate change while others scoff at the whole idea of global warming as well as the need to develop renewable energy forms.

Some prefer not to take a stand on anything unless the winds of change blow their way, but, eventually something occurs to give us cause to rise up and claim our place on certain issues.

For many years, we have defined our position in the tribe by our short history...Bouschor or Payment. They are just two people, with varying histories and stories of their own. As humans, they are constantly subject to change and the powers that cause them to move one way or the other. Their followers are then left not knowing which way to turn because of too much secrecy or an excess of personal opinions and vendettas attached to their agendas.

What is lacking is a purely stated mission and a platform that clearly states goals and ideals. Such objectives would give us something to move towards and to grow on. Policies of government are needed that focus decision-making on the needs of the people and the strength of the tribe first, but require representatives of the government to be accountable and subject to transparency at all levels.

Most of all, we need a sense that what we belong to is one that represents the ideals we would want passed on to our children. Does anyone really want the example of secrecy and corruption, that has become synonymous with the name of the Sault Tribe, to be passed down to become the future of our tribe? Do we really want this to be a continuous part of our history?

This isn't about whether we support Bouschor or Payment. It's about the long process of restructuring our government from one that continues to fail into one that we have a handle on and a part in. Big Winds of change...CHI NODIN.

Election Committee---Right Arm of Bouschor's Dominance

2011-02-17T06:09:00.000-08:00

Bouschor's failures are too great to have been embraced by the voters, again.
A majority of the Sault Tribe citizenry voted to "not allow Bouschor to run for office". But somehow he managed to bluff the membership, with help from his appointed appellate buddies, and was determined to be illegible to run.
Mysteriously, he received six more votes than his strong opponent.

Conspiracy theorists suggest that Aaron Payment's election was allowed only because a scape goat was needed for the Bouschor disaster--Greek Town. Bouschor's influence on the Board would render Chairman Payment's administration ineffective for the entire term. Although Payment maintained his popularity, he was defeated by a nobody out of nowhere. Payment was fighting for a new constitution and employee rights. The election was his. But, election after election, Bouschor was able to keep his small majority influence throughout.

The Election Committee has played a pivotal part in keeping Bouschor in tribal politics. Their failures to secure the ballots, properly register voters, allow a security breech on the counting floor and their failure to distribute ballots to all registered voters is more than a coincidence in Bouschor's success.

Many of the sitting Board members have relatives that have been sitting on the committee during the questionable election results.
---- Do you think that the Board of Directors could find thirteen people out of the thousands of registered voters that aren't related ?
--- Is it time to change the way in which the committee is formed ?
If the Board was interested in forming some trust with the membership, they would consider such action.

The Election Committee isn't trusted!
Perhaps a citizen from each unit, not related to anyone on the Board, could be found.
rj

Classifiied , Top Secret Meeting Underway

2011-02-14T14:16:00.000-08:00

Sault Ste. Marie, Mi...Even while the referendum was underway to reject the new Romulus casino, Chairman McCoy, Boushor and company were hatching a secret deal to include the Sault Tribe's former partner in Greektown, Detroit's Greek millionaire, Mr. Ted Gatzoros.

Thumbing their noses contemptuously at tribal voters, these corrupted leaders went ahead and incorporated Michigan Gaming, Ltd., to get around the referendum's projected outcome. Today they are holding a secret meeting with Gatzarows and Florida millionaire, Mr. Donald Sawark, at a classified, top secret location.

With the help of director's Pine and Causley, Chairman McCoy and Boushor will repackage the same deal...with the same terms and the same investing partners that were recently reject by the membership...and attempt to shove it through again.

Stay tuned...

Thank you, Charles Forgrave

MACKINAC TRIBE #64

2011-02-11T11:29:00.000-08:00

The Mackinac Tribe #64 (formerly Consolidated Bahweting Ojibwa and Mackinac Tribe) filed for Federal Recognition in 1979. Some members of our council have been working towards federal recognition for over 35 years.

I have personally been a council member for 64 since 2000. I also worked with my father since I was a child on fighting for our peoples rights. Know the difference between people who have been working towards federal recognition and protection of Mackinac Bands members, and people who just started. 64 started before Indian casinos existed. 64 has always been about the people.

Nathan Wright

I Love My Tribe. I Do. I Swear I Do

2011-02-06T06:30:00.000-08:00

By Charles Forgrave

After reading the unit reports, you have to want to reach out, pinch the cute little dimpled cheeks of those representatives, snuggle them in, and reassure them that everything is going to be all right. They all seem to be trying so hard.

Four of the eleven that bothered with writing a report thought mentioning the Internet was worthwhile. Three of those four had nothing good to say about it, saying it provided only misinformation; but to chairperson McCoy’s credit, he did say it provided both accurate and inaccurate information, which is true of both it and the tribal newsletter.

What is most disturbing about the tribal newsletter is what it does not report. Of the eleven representatives reporting on January’s activities, only one thought the tribe’s problems was with the way it handles its business. That was director Malloy. You have to wonder after reading a unit report like Pine’s or Causley’s or Hallowell’s, or McCoy’s, what these representatives are thinking when blaming the tribe’s problems on individuals rather than on how it handles its business.

For example, the referendum held in the spring of 2010 needs implementing to separate the Chair and the CEO duties. Hey, the referendum passed. There is no higher law than it. The board does not have a choice as to whether to implement the results; it has a sworn constitutional duty to implement them.

Another example, is the vote on January 11 to settle the Boushour lawsuit, it was not legal. It did not meet the constitutional requirements of a vote to overturn a previous resolution. The board voted in 2004 to exhaust every possible legal remedy to recover all the money paid out to the Boushour key employees. That meant it had to appeal the case if it lost. Boushour and the seven key employees appealed their case several times, but the board failed to appeal its even once. A legal vote to overturn a previous resolution is seven directors of the thirteen…not six of them. The board voted six to four with two abstentions…clearly, not what parliamentarians refer to as the positive majority needed in this situation.

The point of these two examples is this: here we have two clear-cut cases of the board violating the constitution and getting away with it because they know they can… Who ever heard of a legislative body ruling on the constitutionality of its own legislation? The tribal judges will not rule on it because the board hires them. They are afraid for their jobs. The tribe needs independent elected judges and the board’s resolutions need to be ruled on by them.

Therefore, what is it with Pine, Causley, Hallowell, and McCoy…what is it with them? Do they think the Internet has to go away or everybody has to be supportive and cheer the board on for it to govern with success? After reading their unit reports, you get that impression. What these four directors need to do is wake up. Alternatively, if they are awake, they need to own up to it and do their work as if they are. Because the tribe needs to change how it does its business. Until they wake up and make the changes needed, and handle the membership’s business legally, members themselves are not going to have confidence in them or in their government. The stumbling and bumbling of the board will go on forever, as well as its internal struggles, which so completely exhaust many of its members.

The board did a better job this time of addressing tribal issues. Internet reporting deserves a great deal of the credit for it. This board often falls in line with Abramson, Boushour and Eitrem, who feel no obligation to answer to the membership…or to improve on the way in which the tribe does their business.

It is as if because the system is working for them, they could not care less.

COMMENTS...A GOOD READ

2011-02-05T18:41:00.000-08:00

Tribal members are finding their voices and using them. It doesn't matter if you are anonymous or not....you are saying what needs to be said and there is no retribution, no retaliation and no harassment as a result of having your say on this blog.

The only comments I hesitate to publish are accusations directed at individual tribal members who are not elected or in a key position. If you are an employee and have a complaint about unfair treatment, feel free to voice it here. I only ask that you keep it factual.

In the near future, I will add some topics to the under-used 'Lynne Weaver's Findtalk' and try to make it more user friendly. If you have a specific topic you would like to discuss, please email me at weave977@yahoo.com.

Now let's see if we can't make a difference in the way the Sault Tribe functions and remember that the power lies with us through our right to the referendum petition. We can make the necessary changes, with or without the help of our elected 'representatives'.

Thank you for your participation.

Lynne Weaver

THE TRIBAL PAPER CAME...

2011-02-05T08:05:00.000-08:00

By Gary Bernard

Well, another tribal paper came to me today. It was filled with the same “junk” as always. There is a sad note for me. More tribal members have walked on without so much as a nod of recognition for their life as a tribal member.

There is no land's claims money. The tribe used it all and pays the elder's 12% on what the land's claims money used to be. Someday it hopes to replenish the fund but until then the elder's are expected to be happy with the 12% paid to them out of the yearly tribal budget.

Land claims money was used for the benefit of the tribe. The problem is, that all are passing on without getting even a small portion of it. It was said that the money would solve the financial woes in perpetuity. That is a joke that no one can laugh at. I watched my father go through this when he was my age(56), and he could not understand why the tribal administration was holding on to that money for dear life. Could it have been that they saw the mismanagement of the tribes future finance through theft and embezzlement and decided to hedge their options?

Of all the space given to the BOD and TC in the tribal rag, it would seem that someone would have mentioned a serious effort to free up those financial resources for the individual membership. I have asked many in the past about this issue and my concerns fell on deaf ears. Boushor, Lumsden and the others built a fortune for themselves while claiming we could not disburse the money on a personal basis because we as members would waste it on frivolous spending. Little did we know.

I would like to know when the board members are going to address this issue before it is all gone. I think it is only just to see how much has been spent, how much has been borrowed against it. There needs to be drastic changes within the tribal leadership, and sooner the better. They have all proven useless at everything from lying, thievery and dishonesty. It seems Indians can complain about the whites for hundreds of years in regard to manifest destiny, but let them hold the reigns and it is acceptable to rape and pillage their own tribal members. Bouchor sets the example that the others follow. Nuff said! Please forward. Thanks.

PETITIONER #64...STILL LIVING AND BREATHING

2011-02-04T09:54:00.000-08:00

Contrary to what some are having published in newspapers in outlying areas of Michigan, the original Mackinac Tribe #64 - Consolidated Bahweting Ojibwa and Mackinac Tribe remains active.
Lots of progress has been made lately towards Petitioner #64's federal recognition.

Enrollment is currently open to Mackinac Band members. If you haven't done so, please join to find out more information on how to enroll in coming weeks. This is an exciting time!

More information about future informational meetings will be forthcoming in the near future.

INDIAN ENERGY...HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEAM

2011-02-03T07:22:00.000-08:00

Go to the link below and click on the "Our Team" tab.

Indian energy llc.com

The Indian Energy team is comprised of individuals who are highly qualified in everything from the engineering of power plant development and sustainable energy to the planning and constructing of utility infrastructures, substations, transmission lines and communication systems.

Although the involvement of one person (or seven) on the Sault Tribe board saying yes to this investment, the usual secrecy and the 'just spring it on them' attitude was definitely responsible for generating a lot of "NO" votes from tribal members, the individuals at the top of Indian Energy,LLC are more than qualified to be where they are as well as qualified to protect our investment.

The Romulus 'deal' was a horse of a different color. Casinos will always attract the scum of the earth and the process of sorting through who is legit and who is not is fraught with deception and trickery. The hesitation and distrust by Sault Tribe voters was rooted in the players involved who drove Greektown into bankruptcy and placed the entire tribe in financial jeopardy.

The paradigm shift from non-renewable forms of energy to sustainable and renewable forms is here, like it/believe it or not. Fortunately for the Sault Tribe, Indian Energy built their company with people who know what they are doing. By a stroke of luck and being approached by Indian Energy, LLC., let's hope that the Sault Tribe board actually made the right decision even though the less-trusted were involved.

2011-02-02T19:37:00.000-08:00

OXYMORONS!

2011-02-02T17:18:00.000-08:00

An except from an article by Michelle Bouschor about the unofficial results of the referendum votes read as follows:

“McCoy urged tribal members to get all of the facts on future proposed referenda. “We know that with both of these petitions, members were given both accurate and inaccurate information,” McCoy said. “It is very important for those members of voting age to know the facts about any petition they sign.”

McCoy said he hopes members understand that referendum elections are expensive and time consuming. The cost to the tribe of holding a referendum election is more than $30,000.

“The tribe is a democracy and our members absolutely must have the power to put the actions of elected leaders to a vote of the membership,” McCoy said. “But the referendum process is expensive to the tribe, so it is not something to take lightly. Holding a referendum is a serious and costly matter.”

This article was published on the Sault Tribe Web Site which is owned along with the tribal newspaper by the entire membership of the Sault Tribe with neither offering a rebuttal privilege to the membership. There is a question and answer section on the web site, but no section for any member to offer their opinion of current affairs which could reach the entire membership and perhaps stimulate questions about the facts behind decisions made by elected Board members such as those that resulted in the subject petitions for referendum.

The entire membership via the tribal newspaper receives only the opinion of unit representatives that in most cases do not necessarily reflect the will of the units they represent. The facts they present, if they choose to present any at all, are not necessarily all the facts. The act of presenting facts while withholding part of the information is deceptive and intentional. It seems that it is quite a common practice by a number of current elected board members. Yet, we are reminded by Mr. McCoy that “It is very important for those members of voting age to know the facts about any petition they sign.”

If there were more transparency and less hidden agendas within the corrupt leadership of this tribe there would not be a need for petitions and referendums. In the case of the current referendum millions of dollars were saved in comparison to the small amount that was spent to hear the will of the people.

Juli

SELF SUFFICIENCY FUNDS

2011-01-30T19:01:00.000-08:00

Sault Ste. Marie, Mi...Chairman Joe McCoy has picked up director Bouschor's renewed call for self-sufficiency funds. After thirty years of listening to Bouschor talk about self-sufficiency funds, to date the only ones to have them are him and his seven key employees.

Who made a fortune off Greektown: director Bouschor and his cronies. The tribe paid him $17,000.00 a week to go down and spend Friday afternoon drinking coffee in a nearby office. His seven key employees cried and lied on the witness stand and won the sympathies of seven white jurors and were allowed to keep their illegal payouts.

Whatever chance the tribe had of having self-sufficiency funds were lost along with Greektown. Chairman McCoy and company had two years to put together a bankruptcy exit plan to save the casino and it failed to do so. Fifty million dollars were paid to bankruptcy lawyers and the tribe did little more about it than to whine. Now it faces hundreds of millions of dollars in Greektown related lawsuits and millions of dollars in still additional lawyer fees.

Self-suffiency funds? What a joke these people are? Pie in the sky daydreamers. Are tribal citizens still going to buy into their baloney? What they need to do is to pay off the $90,000,000 at 12% owed to the local bank. They need to reimburse the depleted elders fund. They need to quit borrowing secretly and using the elder's fund as collateral without consulting the elders. They need to quit lying about accrued savings and talk to you about how they used borrowed money to balance the tribal budget...and how in reality there are no accrued savings.

They need to stop paying off their old political allies ($18,000 to Paquin for backlogged sick and vacation time after he spent $231,000 of your money for his own personal purposes and $300,000 in legal fees to Bouschor and his cronies after the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that he didn't have the authority to make the payouts and that the seven key employees had signed a severance agreement and quit their jobs...disqualifying themselves for a payout).

Self-sufficiency funds? Untimely and crazy rhetoric by a bunch of misleading politicians. Nothing more than empty and false promises by politicians willing to say anything, promise anything...to stay in power. The time will come to rebuild the self-sufficiency funds. But it's not now. People are hurting...when the time comes that there truly are accrued savings...use them to restore the services and programs and employment opportunities taken so ruthlessly away from them.

Thank you, Charles Forgrave

THE TRIBE HAS SPOKEN

2011-01-29T10:48:00.000-08:00

As the result of a recent discussion, it is clear that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and we can see it if we just look where we have been and where we are going. We have proven that we do hold the power to change the way the Sault Tribe is governed. We do have a choice and a voice and we have proven that the system works when we use our right to referendum. We circulated the petitions and won the right to take issues to the people for a vote.

As one tribal member has reminded me, we should feel victorious and the members of the Sault Tribe have managed to turn the tables successfully in our favor.

I am posting a recent discussion between myself and Tom Biron because I found his words somewhat uplifting.

Me: When the ST judicial overturned a legal vote of the people and allowed BB to run for election, it seems as if the legal dept of the tribe could have stepped up for the 80% who voted to keep BB out. If the judicial is the most powerful entity of the ST than perhaps we need to make it for the people, as it should be, and not for those who use it to manipulate the system in order to get elected.

Tom Biron: Yes, the court needs work. Kind of like my old truck. It's only running on 4 cylinders (it is six). Just chugging along hoping nothing too bad happens this winter. Yes, we need real proven legal minds involved and an honest legal mediation agent to oversee the fix while it is being done. But this is only a small part of the corruption in our tribe. It will not stop until we get rid of the bad element and they should be voted out next time if not sooner. Patience is a virtue and truth has surfaced in these days of calamity and we have to accept that as a victory.

More people are aware and the liars cannot lie anymore without revealing who they are so we have quieted the fools voices. The proverbial tables have turned. Just a bit more time and we will have the tribe back on track. The referendum is a gift we should celebrate. Got a new opportunity and voted down a bad scam. That is encouraging.

Me: You are right Tom, and this is the light at the end of a long dark tunnel. The tables have turned...thank you for reminding us of what we have accomplished. When we work away at something, we sometimes forget to look up to see where we are.

So we have made great strides in recent months. We sent the corrupt police chief to federal prison. We used our voices and our right to referendum and let the Board of Directors know that we hold the cards. The Tribe has spoken and we will continue to take some very important steps to ensure that the road of deceit heads somewhere else and away from the Sault Tribe.

DIRECTOR DJ MALLOY SORTS OUT CONFUSION OVER PINNACLE RACE TRACK

2011-01-27T07:48:00.000-08:00

This land was purchased before I sat on the board but I'll try to provide what I have gathered since...

Sault Tribe purchased 6.9 acres from, and adjacent to, Pinnacle Race Track for $400,000. There is an option for another 10 acre parcel next to the 6.9. We do not own or have a an agreement to buy any more land than what I've mentioned here. The sign placement issue that was reported looks to be in error. I have called people who are working the project and they maintain that the sign is indeed on the tribes land.

The tribe has submitted the 6.9 acre parcel to the BIA to be recorded as Restricted Fee Indian Land. Part of the requirement for such, is to demonstrate that the tribe owns and controls the land and that it will enforce tribal law on the property.

Now about the taxes and the 320 acres. I checked again this morning with Wayne County Treasurer site, as I did also in December, and there are still no taxes due on the Pinnacle property (18000 Vining Road, New Boston, MI). It is my understanding that we notified the local government last Fall of our intent to record the land with the BIA and take it off the tax role and then indeed submit it to the BIA.

I think some of the confusion, and I emphasize think, stems from the fact that when the deed was recorded, there were some mistakes made in how the Township listed the property description. Instead of the description denoting just the 6.9 acres, the description for the entire 320 was copied off the original deed.

This is what I believe to be true. I have asked many questions to different sources and so far this is the deal on our property in New Boston. If you have questions or documentation to the contrary.. please contact me. DJ Malloy, Sault Tribe Director-Unit One.

ALL SAULT TRIBE RESERVATION LAWS STRICTLY ENFORCED!

2011-01-27T07:42:00.001-08:00

"All Sault Tribe Reservation Laws Strictly Enforced.”

The News Herald

PDF Print

Authors Comment Worthy of Front Page

2011-01-25T18:37:00.000-08:00

From: Juli Pionk
Bill Lawrence was a Native American as well as the editor and owner of the Native American Press/Ojibwe News. He believed that tribal members who opposed the corruption within their leadership and had no voice in their tribally owned newspaper needed a place where they could speak out and he provided that through publishing their voice in his newspaper.

During the course of his career Mr. Lawrence unearthed many wrong doings including corruption among tribal leaders. His journalism investigations helped send several corrupt tribal leaders to jail in spite of Tribal Sovereignty, but only by exposing their part in violating a federal law much like our own tribal police chief did.

In an excerpt from his final editorial before his death last March Mr. Lawrence wrote about members of a tribe that collected signatures and presented a lawful petition for the removal of their tribal officials. Mr. Lawrence stated: “Federal policy upholding Tribal sovereignty required petitioners to present the petition to the very officials they wanted to remove from office. Those officials accepted the petition and immediately, by majority vote declared it was without merit.”

Well now, doesn’t this sound familiar to the oppressed members of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe?

The only ones that are protected by our “Tribal Sovereignty” are the corrupt leaders of our tribe until they are exposed in the violation of a federal law.

It seems to me since our tribal civil rights are not protected by any governing body on the face of this earth that we are at a crossroad. Members who have knowledge about our leadership that meets the criteria of federal law violation need to speak out to the proper authorities, such as the FBI or we will have to continue trying each election to replace our corrupt leaders and chance electing, as Charles Forgrave stated in a previous post, political light weight thinkers with no governing education or experience who are easily lead and who, I might add, instead of reporting to the membership about the proceedings of the elected board, choose to tell the membership a story of no relevance and actually get paid to do it.

Our voices need to not only be heard, but to also be listened to.

All Sault Tribe Reservation Laws Strictly Enforced.”

2011-01-25T06:24:00.000-08:00

HURON TWP — Township officials are puzzled about a sign that reads: “Entering Indian Lands of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians All Sault Tribe Reservation Laws Strictly Enforced.”

“We’re asking questions and not getting answers,” township Supervisor Elke Doom said.

The sign is raising red flags for some township officials because questions surfaced last year regarding exactly how much land the tribe purchased from Post-It Stables of Jackson: seven acres or the entire 320-acre Pinnacle Race Course parcel.

Post-It owns Pinnacle, 18000 Vining Road.

Roger Martin, a tribe spokesman, said the tribe owns about seven acres and has made no additional land purchase on the Pinnacle property.

“The sign was put up in early January for two reasons: To let people know they are entering tribal land, and in the hopes of attracting the interest of developers who might want to partner with us on future business opportunities,” Joe McCoy, tribe chairman, said in a press release.

The sign is posted north of the race track entrance on Vining and sits back off the road.

That is Pinnacle property, not the seven acres the tribe purchased from Post-It Stables last year, Doom said.

The property the Chippewa Indians own is south of the entrance near the edge of the parking lot, Doom said.

If the sign was posted in the wrong location, it will be moved to the tribe’s land, Martin said.

Another issue the township is trying to resolve is taxes owed on the property. Post-It Stables owes $1.46 million in back taxes for 2009, and its 2010 taxes total more than $785,000. A portion of the 2010 taxes are due Monday and the remainder is due Feb. 14.

The 320 acres at Pennsylvania and Vining roads had been in a land bank until 2013, meaning the property owner — Wayne County — did not pay taxes on it.

Pinnacle Race Course opened in July 2008. It was the only Thoroughbred race course in the state.

Wayne County sold the land for $1 to Post-It Stables on Oct. 28, 2008. Once the property was sold by the county, it was supposed to come out of the land bank and Post-It would begin paying taxes on it, township officials said.

However, records did not reflect the sale and property taxes were not paid.

On April 28, Post-It sold about seven acres of its land to the tribe for $179,000. But, the land description of the parcel sold recorded at the Wayne County Register of Deeds Office included the entire 320-acre parcel.

When this surfaced last year, Doom said the description of the land purchase filed with the county had an incorrect legal description.

At the time, Martin wrote in an e-mail that the agreement was to purchase 6.94 acres.

It is not racing season and Pinnacle is closed. Its three listed telephone numbers were disconnected and its website was shut down as of yesterday. Its Facebook page still was active, but there was a notice for a Jan. 8 party at a Canton Township bar “for all the former Pinnacle employees and fans.”

In addition to not paying its taxes, Post-It Stables faced additional financial problems last year after former Gov. Jennifer Granholm cut the number of racing days at the track, drastically reducing its revenue potential.

Water at the race course was almost shut off in September because Pinnacle did not pay a $33,000 water bill. The Horseman’s Benevolent and Protective Association paid the bill.

In November, Post-It Stables suspended simulcast broadcasts at Pinnacle.

Attempts to reach Jerry Campbell, Post-It Stables’ owner, have been unsuccessful.

Regarding its $1.46 million tax bill for 2009, Post-It went to the township’s Board of Review last year to appeal and the request was declined, according to township officials. It then went to the Michigan Tax Tribunal to seek relief and was denied last month.

Taxes for 2010 also have not been paid, but are not overdue yet.

Post-It Stables owes more than $785,000 for its 2010 real property tax. It has until Monday to pay its summer tax bill, which is more than $598,000, according to township records. The remaining total of more than $187,000 is the winter tax bill and is due Feb. 14.

Post-It also owes more than $82,000 in personal property taxes for 2010.

Because Post-It Stables owes back taxes on the property, some have questioned whether the April 28 land sale is legal. That’s a question township officials said they haven’t been able to resolve.

Link ....................Print

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All Sault Tribe Reservation Laws Strictly Enforced.” with the exception of some on the Board of Directors who lie, cheat and bamboozle with the best of them. It wasn't 175,000 that was spent on 7 acres...it was more than 400,000 invested in a race track deal. If the decision to purchase was made with confidence and above board why lie consistently to the Sault Tribe citizens? After all, it is our money that is at risk once again, or so we thought. If the Sault Tribe Board of Directors can't see fit to tell us the truth for once than it is up to the average citizen to see that the laws of the Sault Tribe are strictly enforced.

Even our efforts to petition, as we have a right to, are being twarted. Over 200 signatures on a recent petition drive were invalidated by the election committee. By what authority does the election committee have to validate signatures when it is the registrars job? 200signatures invalidated...BULL! We are being walked on and laughed at. Laws Strictly enforced....what a joke....not here, not by the Sault Tribe authority.

BERNARD BOUSCHOR--TONKY TRUMP REVIVED!

2011-01-23T16:53:00.000-08:00

Benard Boosher has completed almost every step of his "recovery and return" plan.
Every step was predicted.
Ever since his loss to Aaron Payment, Boosher...aka Tonky Trump, has schemed to return to his entitlement.
He stopped a new constitution from becoming law.
That began after a surprise bus load of Boosher supporters showed up to be on the Constitutional Convention Committee.
He had the influence to get a tribal referendum overturned that prohibited him from holding an elected office.
He found people in the appellate that were willing to bluff the membership.
He mysteriously won an election to the Board by six votes.
A controversial back pack inside of the counting area cast doubt on his win.
He beats a theft rap by eliminating the tribe members from the jury.
He influences the Board to pay 300,000 for his legal fees.
He negotiates, in secret, with the Greek for another casino deal.
Currently, Board members are not informed of the negotiations or the parties involved.
This is typical of Boosher's influence. If they aren't going to vote his way...leave them in the dark.
This eliminates the so called democracy.

....This looks like he is getting right back up to the top..........

The only thing that he hasn't done to complete the plan is to neutralize Aaron Paymnet.
Right now, There is a removal petition in the works to remove Benard Boosher from holding a Board position for prior election violations.
Sign it!
Send it in!
rj

Sault Tribe / Failed Leadership

2011-01-22T09:06:00.001-08:00

Sault Ste. Marie, Mi...After spending hundreds of millions of dollars on diversifying its businesses, the Sault Tribe still owns only five casinos here in the Upper Peninsula and its two Midjims. All of them are located on trust land where the tribe enjoys tax relief and monopoly advantages.

Bay Mills nearby...already the owner of a college, a golf course, a marina, a plastic's factory, a Midjim, two casinos, conventions centers and bars and restaurants...is moving on and leading the way again in the state's gaming business. Last year it purchased a tract of land in Vanderbilt, Michigan with land claim's money and built a small casino on it. This month it will open an expansion to it, bringing in additional gaming opportunities to the area.

Bay Mills...has it figure it out. The gaming business has changed in the state. It's not the new, budding, fledgling business it once was. It's now an old, established business that the state has become dependent upon for tax revenue and jobs. And now with the state's economy being in the desperate straits that it is, it's a completely different ballgame. The Bay Mills Tribe did its homework and got all of its ducks in a row and, acting on its own and using its own money, went for it; they're timing was perfect and the odds are on their side that they will succeed.

The Sault Tribe...bringing up the rear again, having spent all of its land claim's money directly or indirectly on Greektown, went through some kind of financial maneuver last year to come up with the several hundred thousand dollars to buy the acreage in New Boston with land's claims money. It might have plans (top secret) to build a casino on it after its lawyers get all of the tribe's paperwork in order. And now with the new corporation Michigan Gaming Ltd. having been formed (top secret), who knows, it may build a casino there (top secret)after it gets its hands on somebody else's money...

...will it build a casino on it if it finds an investor with the money, likely? Will it build a casino there using it's own money, unlikely? Will the tribe's management do any of the work other than sign the papers and pose for pictures, very unlikely...after all they're all part timers, where would they find the time to do it...and........

...and, the Sault Tribe doesn't have a history of doing anything on its own.

Thank you, Charles Forgrave

TRIBAL BOARD ACTIONS RING A BELL...INDIANOSO?

2011-01-21T07:28:00.000-08:00

Sault Ste. Marie, Mi...Chairman McCoy is a likeable man. But the problem here is that he is in the top leadership position of your tribe. You have to judge him by his actions and not his words.

Ominous beginnings...when Chairman McCoy first sat in the driver's seat he felt it was necessary to fire 200 of his political opponents and to then take away the few remaining rights of you people who work for the Sault Tribe. This was a clear indicator of the new Chairman being under the influence of longtime employee director Bouschor, the driving force behind his campaign and the man who financed it. What did Bouschor get out of doing it? He got help with his search for a political solution to his legal problems with you...mainly the 7+1 litigation, where the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that he had acted without authority and that the key employees had signed a severance agreement and quit their jobs.

The last gasp of a democracy is when a government ignores the will of the people who they serve. Democracy is about as good as dead then. In the summer of 2010 you voted in a secretarial election (tribal referendum) to separate the Chairman and CEO positions with the intention of taking tribal politics out of tribal business decisions. To date, the board has refused to implement it. The Chairman still continues to hold and exercise the authority of both of the positions. What's more, the McCoy administration is once again tampering with your right to petition your government...first requiring a raised stamp on petitions and now forbidding them to be sent through the mail.

The final act of becoming a dictatorship is to completely ignore your will. Not only are you refused the right to express your political opinions in your newsletter, but now your right to petition your government is being tampered with and in effect it is being refused. And about those referendums that happen in spite of these obstructions, the McCoy administration simply doesn't honor them and simply allows them to be ignored by the people who you elect to represent you.

Looks like you're back to the worst of times. With Bouchor back on the board and influencing the inexperienced and naive chairman, Joe McCoy, the Sault Tribe is behaving like a corporation again. Its government has circled its wagons and things are being done in complete secrecy of you. The Chairman and his cronies have once again surrounded themselves with your lawyers and they are asking them to confirm what they can do legally to get away with obstructing the referendum process and to pass the proposals that they want to...like those surrounding Indian Energy LLC and the proposed Romulus Casino...in spite of your laws and your bylaws.

Judicial review...in a democracy you commonly take your complaints about your government's behavior to a constitutional court. The court reviews the constitutionality of the government's action and if necessary rules on it. In the Sault Tribe there's nothing that you can do when your government violates its constitution. The government rams proposals down your throats because they can do it and get away with it and you have to lump it and like it.

With the election of Hollowell and Pine, two additional light weight political thinkers were added to the board. Like chairman McCoy himself, they come to tribal government without any previous governing experience. Both of them are uneducated in government and naive about the motives of their longtime counterparts, and as a result, they are easily led and influenced.

Director Bouschor subsequently has wormed his way back into a leadership role on the board. Behaving like a secret club again, the board is back to honoring his code of secrecy. They're busy discussing, with the help of your lawyers, ways to defeat your will, rather than ways for you to express it and to have it heard.

Thank you, Charles Forgrave

Former Sault Tribe police chief Fred Paquin new address.

2011-01-19T12:46:00.000-08:00

Inmate Locator - The Federal Bureau of Prisons

1. FREDERICK JAMES PAQUIN 14438-040 53-A.Indian-M 11-30-2011 CANAAN USP

DISAPPROVE ROMULUS

2011-01-12T20:16:00.000-08:00

Romulus ballot...."Now therefore be it resolved....will proceed with subordinate agreements as necessary to give effect to the tribe's intent to enter into a binding and enforceable management contract consistent with Developer's November 2, 2010 letter of intent and subsequent discussions of the parties."

Key scary words are bolded. It means that if this passes....we have agreed to let them do what they want including make further agreements with Gatzaros and Campbell without further issue.

DISAPPROVE

AN ARGUMENT FOR LEADERSHIP

2011-01-09T12:04:00.000-08:00

It appears that the membership has no protections regarding the "ENERGY" investment with the present rules on referendum. These rules do not protect the members from misguided or deliberate business dealings. Instead, they allow for unscrupulous and reckless behaviors which have plagued the tribe for decades. By rule, the process can continue, making the referendum or challenge a mute point. The citizens are at the mercy, or should I say the wisdom, of the elected Board and their Chairman. A new constitution might have prevented this.

Is this the time to be spending over a million dollars beyond the needs of the membership services that have been compromised by earlier misjudgments? Is this the actions of a Board that is sensitive to the already distrustful membership? Is this the leadership they are offering?

Perhaps Mr. Cadreau and Mr. Boulley should have presented their offer to the membership in a more respectful manner instead of leaving them out of the equation. Scheduling the informational meeting, after the fact, was meaningless and hurtful. This is all typical of the Bouschor way of doing business.

Citizen resistance will be felt in the next election. They are looking for leadership.

rj

INDIAN ENERGY MEETING...SAULT TRIBE CITIZEN SPEAKS OUT

2011-01-09T11:53:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends;

Last night (Wed., Jan. 5th) I attended an informational meeting regarding Indian Energy llc. (IE). Sadly there were less than a dozen tribal members present in the audience. Board members present in support of IE were Bernard Bouschor, Deb Pine and DJ Malloy others present Allen Cadreau and Henry Boulley from Indian Energy. Other board members that support IE are Cathy Abramson, Lana Causley, Joan Anderson, Catherine Hollowell and Chairman McCoy.

(Indian Energy) not to be confused with (Inland Enegry) is a privately owned company based out of Newport Beach, California. Presently ownership of company breaks out as follows: Allen Cadreau holds 84%, Henry Boulley holds 1% and Sault Tribe holds 15%.

One of my questions asked: Are all outstanding bills settled and paid in full such as employment suits (3 that I am aware of), Greek town issues? Are we now free from any further lawsuits from Greek town or its parties? Bernard responded by going over the budget constraints over the last 3-4 yrs and how as time has gone by the tribe was able to become a bit more financially stable. DJ Malloy responce was “yes” we still have “bills to pay”, in comparison to making the house payment, insurance and other monthly bills. She also mentioned there is still $177 million that parties attached to Greek town fiasco may take us to court over. Both she and Bernard thought the probability of this happening is very slim. So, were these were YES or NO questions and could have been answered differently…you decide.

Next question: What were the dates and amounts of dollars given to IE so far? Henry Boulley responded with the contract was signed on 12/10th and wire transfer completed on 12/13th, total dollar amount close to $850 thousand. Director Malloy indicated that as of January 4th another $250 thousand had been given to IE, so you do the math on what has been given out in a very short period.

Is it important to keep in mind that all of these actions have taken place after petition against giving monies to IE had been presented at a previous board meeting? When this point was brought out the answer given by Director Bouschor went something like, just because there was a petition submitted did not mean legally the board could not continue on with this matter.

Dennis McKelvie and I each asked at different times so what happens if the resolution that is being mailed out this Friday (Jan. 7th) comes back and DOES NOT SUPPORT INDIAN ENERGY, will we get those dollars back? Answer NO, everything just stops there.

How much control does Sault Tribe have over how those dollars and any future dollars are to be spent? ZERO! The money is handed over to Mr. Cadreau and Mr. Boulley then they will decide how to disperse the money.

I asked why not invest those dollars back into some of the tribes program or how about our employees, what happened to year of the employee? Also asked why not look at investing into some well established small to medium businesses here in Michigan? Such as Restonic Mattress Co., located in Escanaba; HoMedics (known for back, neck and feet massage equipment) and Carr’s Peanuts and Snacks these were just a few off the top of my head I’m sure this is more like Grand Traverse Pie Company (highlighted on Food Net Work). Restonic Mattress, HoMedics and Grand Traverse Pie Company are sold nationally and in Canada with a solid proven business record. Again, why not try and do something here at home first?!

Before the evening ended, I asked Mr. Cadreau and Mr. Boulley if they personally got any of the dollars already given to IE. Mr. Cadreau replied “yes, we each took $25 thousand a piece”. It was then explained the reason for they took that amount was for bills each had incurred such as credit cards on behalf of the tribe.

Throughout their presentation and evening there was a lot of “ifs” spoken. ” If” this works out then it may lead to this…then “if” that does happens…”if”, “if”, “if”!! I know life does come with some “ifs” but these two individual’s are trying to sell the tribe their hope and dreams base on their “ifs”. As I made very clear last night I am all for recycling and going green but not at such a high cost at this time…we need to get ourselves out from under all outstanding employment suits and totally free from Greek town and its parties first, then fix things here at home first. Sometimes like the message used years ago…JUST SAY NO!

Anyone remember the name STEVE MORELLO and how much money he got from us? Well, Indian Energy has appointed him to sit on their advisory board on what is best for IE…where the tribe has NO SAY on how our dollars are to be used!

Unfortunately due to time constraints with the resolution being mailed out on Friday, we the members may not be allowed the opportunity to ask more questions. The way the board has handled this whole issue reminds me of how the feds handled the healthcare issue…ram it through because we can!

Chi miigwech for taking time to read my letter…just thought some of you may have some questions of your own that should have been asked.

Respectfully,

Anita McKerchie

BIRDS CONSPIRE TO SET FREE ONE OF THE FLOCK

2011-01-08T07:49:00.000-08:00

The Sault Tribe Board of Directors voted to pay the crooked former police chief Fred Paquin, who stole hundreds of thousands of tribal funds for his personal use, another $18,000 for sick and personal time. What!?! That's right...Bernard Bouschor, Debra Pine, Cathy Abramson, Joseph Eitrem, Lana Causley, Keith Massaway, and Patrick Rickley want to pay the crook who was recently sentenced in federal court for crimes of fraud and embezzlement of federal funds another 18k. Paquin will be doing a year plus a day in federal prison for his crimes as well as restitution of some 200k plus.

Paquin wants the money that he tried to steal for sick time that he falsely claims to have accrued. Why would this board even consider such a thing? What does that make them? Cathy Abramson, that's right, CATHY ABRAMSON voted to pay off Paquin because she says the tribe has a long history of losing lawsuits. What?! So if the store continues to get robbed, we should be standing at the door with the money ready to hand it over to the crooks. Oh, that's logical...only if you're lacking common sense and the ability to make honest, legitimate decisions.

Word is that Paquin didn't accept the payoff but wants the board to sign off on his vacation pay and he wants a statement stating that if he accepts the money, we are "done" with him, assuming that to mean we do not prosecute criminally or civilly for his transgressions. More collusion by this band of no-goods to set one of their flock free?

Tribal member and former chairman of the Sault Tribe, Aaron Payment, is taking steps on our behalf to stop this nonsense. Please support any and all efforts to finally put an end to all of this corruption. Eventually, our voices will be heard.

(The link to the letter)

The Honorable Jeff Davis, Assistant U.S. Attorney
The Honorable Lamar Smith, Chair - United States House Committee on the Judiciary
The Honorable Committee Members, United State Senate Indian Affairs Committee
Larry Echohawk, US Department of Interior - Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs
Mr. Eric Blubaugh, Tribal Prosecutor

Lynne Weaver

Indian Energy LLC / The Elder's Want Nothing to Do With It

2011-01-06T06:41:00.000-08:00

In response to an email from Charles Forgraves, a voice we count on for his integrity, Debra Pine, an elected official whose job is to represent the people, responded in her usual 'shut up---I don't care what you say' attitude. Her usual arrogance is easily detected following Charles' article. Read for yourselves.

Sault Ste. Marie, Mi...Representatives of Indian Energy LLC met with tribal elders at the Sault Tribe's Elder's Center here in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Mr. Cadreau, the company president, discussed the merits of Indian Energy LLC as a tribal investment, but his presentation was lost on the disgruntled elders. The room was so filled with ill will toward the tribal board members present that the bad feelings went on to carry the day.

Tribal citizen Mr. Basil of unit two took the floor away from director Pine who had appointed herself master of ceremonies. Mr. Basil then went on and made his case for the tribal elders while at the same time lambasting the tribal leaders. He thought the $2,500,000.00 would be better spent restoring the elder services and programs that were cut to balance the tribal budget at their expense. He pointed out that it would take more than the $2,500,000.00 to restore those programs and services. He also pointed out that the board didn't take any cuts whereas the elder's were asked to take the brunt of them. Mr. Basil then discussed the board's salaries and perks; indicating that many of our part time board members work less than the15 hours a week allotted to the elders but yet they earned more a week than the elder's earned in a month. He enumerated their perks, listing their gas and their cell phones as paid for and their health and life insurances and retirements, etc, etc, etc, and concluded by mentioning that the board hadn't made any sacrifices themselves while balancing the tribal budget.

Director Boushour, his ears boxed by Mr. Basil, took the floor to clarify a few things. He went on with his usual spiel about the accomplishments of past administrations, beginning with the 1930's and working his way up to the present, giving a great deal of the credit for those accomplishments to himself. He reviewed and praised the tribe's leadership in the areas of health care and housing and elder services and suggested to the elder's that they should feel grateful for the work done on their behalf.

Mr. Nanook raised his hand and asked permission to re-butt director Bouchor's remarks. The gentleman of the north took the elder's microphone and reminded them of the monopoly that the Sault Tribe has enjoyed in gaming in the Upper Peninsula and that it was the Bay Mills Tribe that open the way for the Sault Tribe to develop its casinos. Mr. Nannook said with the kind of advantage enjoyed by the Sault tribe in the gaming business any tribal member with an unused barn could successfully develop and run their own casino. He then reminded director's Bouchor and Pine of the twenty-five or thirty business failures since the 1990's; pointing out to them that not one tribal director was held accountable for their loss. ...to include the $800,000.000.00 Greektown Casino; suggesting to the two directors that each of them would have been fired were they working in the real corporate world. Mr. Nanook concluded by addressing director's Bouchor and Pine directly; telling them that he didn't trust them with his financial future as a tribal elder.

Director Pine who had began the introduction to the presentation took the microphone again and rebutted Mr. Nanook's interpretation of tribal history. She used the same rhetoric that she used in the 2010 campaign to win her board seat, citing the desperate shape of the tribal budget when she came on board and how the board worked so hard at cost cutting to balance it. She said the tribal budget was $15,000,000.00 in the red when she came aboard and hinted at the previous administration being responsible; while at the same time failing to mention the $5,000,000,00 which the board borrowed secretly on her watch, using the elder's land's claim fund as collateral; and then subsequently using the $5,000,000.00 borrowed in secrecy to balance the budget and claiming it as surplus and accrued income available for investing.

Mr. Cadreau of Indian Energy LLC finally took the floor. He began with his business and educational background and then spent time connecting with the elder's as a fellow tribal member. Mr. Cardreau wasn't far into his presentation when an elder interposed with remarks about the tribe's prospects with Indian Energy. He didn't like it that tribal money was being invested in Mexico and worried that the tribe would lose it. Ofher elder's present felt that with the tribe owing $79,000,000.00 to a local bank at 12% that it couldn't afford to invest the $2,500,000.00 in Indian Energy or anything else until the bank loan was paid off or at least paid down.

The meeting began at 12:00 P.M. and it was now 1:30 P.M. At this time the president of the elder's committee asked for a break. She asked to have the 50/50 drawing so that some of the elder's who wanted to leave could do so. This writer, having errands to run and other commitments, left along with a majority of the members in attendance.

In conclusion: the emotional atmosphere of the event wasn't conducive to the Indian Energy LLC presentation. Mr. Cadreau was interposed constantly with questions and comments from the floor and any meaningful or productive discussion was fragmented and inconclusive at best. The vast majority of the elder's present didn't have as much argument with Mr. Cadreau and Indian Energy LLC as they had with director's Bouchour and Pine. Member's were furious with the way the tribal board was handling the tribal investment. Nor did they like the way the tribal budget was handled and they didn't hesitate to let their thoughts and feelings about it be known.

Company literature was handed out by Indian Engergy LLC and is available from, Mr. Boulley, the company's public relations consultant. Mr. Boulley also has the company's website address and other contact information available. The January issue of the government owned and edited newspaper also has information on the company and the tribe's proposed investment in it.

Thank you, Charles Forgrave

Pine writes:

Are you ok? Seriously, do you need to go see a doctor?

You have me concerned since you are referring to yourself as "Mr. Nanook".

Why are you referring to yourself as "Mr. Nanook"?

Why not tell the truth? Unless you are seriously ill and really do need to talk to a doctor.

Sincerely,

Debra-Ann Pine

What do you think Sault Tribe citizens? Is this the way an elected official acts in the best interest of the tribe? Is this the way a director should respond to a member of the unit she is supposed to represent?

HMMM...IMPARTIAL?

2011-01-06T06:32:00.000-08:00

"The mission of the Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa Tribal Court is to provide equitable and expedient resolution of conflict by the impartial administration of justice to ensure a safe community through strengthening our families and reducing crime."

When the tribal court chose to overrule the vote of the people when they allowed Bernard Bouschor to run in an election was this 'partial or impartial'.

I think the tribal court violated their own mission statement.

GIVE ME A BREAK!

2011-01-05T17:21:00.000-08:00

A few statements of disbelief are being heard in connection with the Romulus deal, such as:
"They must think we are as stupid as they are!
Who the hell are they trying to kid!
They don't really expect anyone is stupid enough to believe that!
It's not going to cost us a dime because they don't think it's our money!
McCoy needs to go back and finish the 8th grade!
I wonder how much they got 'paid' to feed us that line of Bull!"

All this is in reference to the claims from McCoy that a casino in Romulus is not going to cost the tribe a dime. The investors are going to pay for everything and all we have to do is count and pocket the revenue....if there is any.

Maybe these generous investors will buy us all a new car or maybe a house...and it won't cost us a dime. Maybe they will fill our pockets full of dollar bills and butterflies while making promises of how wonderful they will make our lives if we just agree to this "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is" deal.

I don't want a promise that this won't cost us a dime. I want a promise that the members of the Sault Tribe will receive dividends and a number of shares of Romulus. I want a contract that says if this goes through and McCoy fails to produce that we get all his worldly goods. I say McCoy and other board members who are behind this put all their property up as collateral. If this is such a great deal then they should be eager to do so.

I want it in writing. I want an evergreen contract tied to a golden parachute with a guarantee that if this deal fails that the individuals behind this will reimburse each and every tribal citizen a percentage of the cost as well as of the lost revenue.

Give me a break! Don't believe a word of what they are saying unless they are willing to put their own personal property where their mouths are...or where we can claim it when another Bouschor deal falls through.

Vote NO until we get our written guarantees in place.

Download Crains link here

Sault Tribe Membership Has Taken Control

2011-01-03T20:55:00.001-08:00

You should receive two referendums ballots in one first class envelope

This is exactly what is needed for government oversight.
Especially when most Directors and the Chairman seem to have a hidden agenda with most of their decisions.
What ever it is...it has clouded their judgment.
Offering 26% of a project ...for nothing down...@#$%^&/.....?
What was their personal and direct offer from these partners?
Always be ready to respond when the call for referendum is made.
Right now, with the clouded judgment....or...outside influence at the helm...referendum is the only
method to control.

rj

Nenaboozhoo Nishnaabedok!

2010-12-31T08:41:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEARS!

Sault Tribe Board Awards Crook with $18,000 Pay Off

2010-12-29T13:33:00.000-08:00

Sault Ste. Marie, Mi...The Sault Tribe board met in secret two days ago and voted to reimburse former police chief and board member Fred Paquinn with back pay that he claimed was due to him. It did this in spite of the fact that the former tribal employee is a convicted felon, making his employment contract with the tribe null and void.

Mr. Fred Paquinn stole over $ 800,000.00 in your name. He wrote on grants in your name and used the money as his own personal slush fund...buying things for himself and his extended family members. While there may be a legal question as to whether he is entitled to the back pay, one thing is clear...he stole more money from you than what you owe him.

Fred Paquinn feels you owe him $ 18,000.00. Well, he stole over $ 800,000.00 in your name...money earmarked for the purchase of police vehicles and other law enforcement equipment meant to make your community a safer place to live.

So why did the board honor his request for back pay? 1. Was it to help him repay you $ 238,000.00 as the court order him. 2. Was it for political reasons? 3. Is there something going on here that only the board can understand?

Well, this time board arrogance wins. The likelihood is that it's number three.

Mr. Fred Paquinn was part of the brotherhood of complicity and secrecy (and still is because of his insiders' knowledge) which is subscribed to by several of our old time board members...thinking here of directors Abramson, Boushor and Eitrem. These three charming individuals subscribe to the concept of honor among thieves. Each of them having enough incriminating information on the others to cause them considerable harm.

Thus, the complicity and secrecy.

Thank you, Charles Forgrave

DO THE RIGHT THING

2010-12-26T11:17:00.000-08:00

As the new year approaches and mistakes of the past are left behind, it's time to make that list of resolutions that so many of us want to keep.

One resolution we can make that cannot fail to bring the best that life has to offer
is to always DO THE RIGHT THING.

Lynne Weaver

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2010-12-24T09:37:00.000-08:00

Niibaa' anami'egiizhigad & Aabita Biboo

Best Wishes for a peaceful Christmas.
Remember that the meaning of the occasion
is not about the price tag or the number of gifts
under the tree. The gift of love is the best gift of all.

Lynne Weaver

PAQUIN SENTENCING PRESS RELEASE

2010-12-15T15:45:00.000-08:00

Copied from the website of:
The United States Attorney's Office Western District of Michigan

Contact:
MAARTEN VERMAAT
ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEY
PHONE: (616) 456-2404

FORMER CHIEF OF POLICE FOR SAULT TRIBE OF CHIPPEWA INDIANS
SENTENCED AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO CONSPIRACY TO
DERAUD THE UNITED STATES

WEDNESDAY, December 15, 2010 - MARQUETTE, Mich. – Frederick James Paquin, age 53, of St. Ignace, Michigan, and the former Chief of Police for the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, was sentenced to 12 months’ and one day imprisonment to be followed by 2 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $231,785.03 in restitution to the United States of America, U.S. Attorney Donald A. Davis announced today. On July 23, 2010, Paquin had pled guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States by dishonest means.

The significant sentence handed down today stems from Paquin’s misuse of federal grant funds awarded to the Sault Tribe Police Department between 2002 and 2008. Paquin served as the Sault Tribe Chief of Police from 2007 until October 2008. The federal grants were awarded under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Tribal Resources Grant Program (TRGP) which is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (hereinafter “the COPS Office”). Grants awarded to the Sault Tribe Police Department under the TRGP were intended to help the Sault Tribe address their most serious unmet financial needs for law enforcement. Paquin unlawfully violated the terms of the federal grants in various ways.

One way of violating the terms of the grants and thwarting their intended purpose was
by obtaining false and fictitious purchase invoices to divert grant funds to accounts held by various vendors with which the Tribal Police Department did business. In short, Defendant created records of purchases that didn’t actually take place. In turn, the Tribe’s Purchasing Department reviewed the paper records of the supposed purchases and then unwittingly paid the vendors for items that were not actually purchased by the Tribal Police Department, thereby creating a credit in the Tribal Police Department’s account to the vendors. Once the grant funds were diverted as credits into these vendor accounts, they were no longer subject to oversight by the Tribal Purchasing Department or the COPS Office. As a result, Defendant could and did use these credits (actually federal taxpayer dollars) in any way he saw fit, without any oversight and in complete violation of the grant terms. In essence, Defendant created a way to funnel federal taxpayer dollars into “slush funds” that only he knew about and controlled.

Defendant used a substantial portion of these illegally obtained and concealed credits to enhance his own status within the Tribe. For example, he used grant funds to purchase an ATV that was to be used for a charitable raffle, but told people that he purchased the ATV with his own money. He also publicly asked vendors to make “donations” to the Tribe’s Junior Police Academy, but authorized them to take money from the Tribal Police Department’s account, which contained diverted grant funds, to make these donations. Defendant also personally and directly benefitted from the grant diversion scheme, such as when he used credits at one vendor to help finance his son in law’s lease of a vehicle or when he used credits to purchase sporting items for his personal use.

Defendant also cheated the TRGP program in other ways. For example, he purchased
items with grant funds that on their face appeared to be for the use of Sault Tribe Police Department but were in fact given away to other organizations in direct violation of the grant terms. Examples include: (1) Motorola radios given to Tribal casinos, (2) Glock handguns given to the Manistique Police Department, (3) defibrillators provided to Tribal casinos and a health club, (4) uniforms given to Tribal casino security officers, and (5) various other items such as flashlights and cameras that were given to other police departments.

As both Tribal Chief of Police and Tribal Board member, Paquin exercised unchecked power within the Tribe and operated the Police Department as his own private fiefdom. Paquin increased his own personal esteem within the Tribe and the broader law enforcement community by illegally dispensing items purchased with grant funds as if they were his own property. He continually resisted all attempts at oversight by Tribal Accounting, and all but prevented the FBI from investigating crimes on Tribal lands. As a result of these illegal activities Paquin was able to divert and wrongfully use grant funds in excess of $300,000.

In addition to the grant fraud set forth above, Paquin also defrauded the Sault Tribe
directly by maintaining his daughter as a full time employee of the Tribe Police Department for almost a year despite the fact that she had left her employment with the Tribe to become a full time student teacher. The ghost employee fraud cost the tribe approximately $43,000 in unearned wages paid to Paquin’s daughter.

In open court Paquin admitted to the full range of his criminal conduct including diverting $242,000 in federal grant funds and having his daughter receive a full time salary when she was not performing work for the Tribe. Paquin went on to apologize to the Tribe, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Court and his family for his criminal conduct.

U.S. Attorney Davis stated: “The respect and confidence that tribal members place in their tribal institutions is dependant upon receiving honest and faithful services from their tribal officials. This office will aggressively pursue and prosecute tribal officials who violate their solemn oath and duties.” Elise Chawaga, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of the Inspector General, Fraud Detection Office, said “the Office of the Inspector General is committed to holding accountable, public officials who betray the trust placed in them by using for personal gain Department of Justice grant funds that were intended to benefit the public.” FBI Special Agent in Charge Andrew G. Arena noted that “these charges are examples of corrupt government officials who have abused their positions for personal gain.” He added that “public corruption is a top criminal priority of the FBI and will not be tolerated. This investigation demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to investigating public corruption on every level and bringing those who betray the public’s trust to justice.”

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General, Fraud Detection Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maarten Vermaat.

END

9&10 News - Former UP Police Chief Being Sent to Other Side of Bars

Fred Paquin Sentencing

2010-12-15T12:40:00.001-08:00

1 year in federal prison and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $231,000. 2 years supervised release after prison release. Same conditions of probation apply pending his assignment and report to the federal bureau of prisons.

PAQUIN ALERT...SENTENCING TOMORROW - 12/15/2010

2010-12-14T14:07:00.000-08:00

Reading Paquin's attorney's memorandum, it would suggest that it's okay to steal hundreds of thousands in grant/tribal funds as long as you give some of it away...in your own name.

I wonder if he claimed those donations on his income tax. If so, I wonder if he claimed it as income first, and I also wonder if the IRS is looking into his actions?

By tomorrow afternoon we should know if it's okay to defraud the government to make yourself look like the local hero. If so, I have a few things on my list that I could use and I know a lot of other tribal citizens who are in desperate need. Who do we give our lists to?

Director Causley, insists that Paquin go back to work immediately...

Will the door of opportunity open to further corruption or will it slam in the face of those who are part of it? We'll know tomorrow.

Both Sentencing reports on Fred Paquin

2010-12-13T17:36:00.000-08:00

Government's Sentencing Memorandum

Download PDF file here

Paquins sentencing memorandum
Submitted by Paquin's Attorney, here.

Rumor or .....

2010-12-09T10:38:00.000-08:00

Because there have been numerous comments on this blog and through the grapevine over several months regarding the attempted bribery of board members, the topic needs to be brought into the open. Do I personally believe that any members of the Sault tribe Board of Directors would consider or accept a bribe? What do you think?

Too many decisions have been made that have little to do with the best interests of the tribe. Too many under-the-table, back-room-deals have been rumored to have occurred over the span of several years including the barge deal, the Greektown plan that enabled a whole lot of somebodies except the Sault Tribe to benefit, 30 some odd businesses built under Bouschor in which ALL 'failed' and let's not forget the 2.7 million dollar deal that was constructed in secret. Anyone that expresses shock or disbelief that secret deals and bribery could happen needs to get their head out of the sand or wherever else it might be stuck.

How does one claim to have such knowledge? Someone who may have been offered such a bribe who has a strong moral character and ethics may have told someone for the purpose of protecting themselves from being associated with such crimes. Some admissions were supposedly made through lips made loose by means of alcohol and by more than one person 'elected' to serve the tribe.

Fred Paquin met his fate because of so-called rumors and gossip that proved to be true. Is it possible a director or another person of influence was asked to take a bribe and declined but fears the consequences? Could some of the comments regarding bribes be the avenue chosen by the messenger?

I invite any member of the Sault Tribe Board of Directors to explain, in full detail, the deal they are attempting to make and be prepared to answer each and every question and have the proper documents to back up their answers. The last time I observed such a question being asked was at a board meeting in St. Ignace where Bernard Bouschor, the Master of Secrecy, instructed the board not to discuss financial matters in front of the audience of Sault Tribe citizens.

So here you are Sault Tribe board members...address this recent comment:

i heard the bod members that voted for romulus were promised a million dollars to split if they got the vote to go their way even kathy got her split they had it worked out so kathy looked as though she was against it and joe would be the tie breaker it is her election coming up you know and whats this stuff i am hearing from the got swag crowd half the bod is raising money for russes legal fees and us fishermen do not get no help i can not wait till next election

WE EXCEEDED OUR GOAL

2010-12-09T03:13:00.000-08:00

Success! We received 339 signatures when only 100 are needed to put this issue [whether or not to do business with the former Greek partner] to a referendum vote of the Sault Tribe Members.

The survey results below suggest some Board Members need to wake up or face being outsted in the next election. A whopping 99% of the respondents [out of over 700] have said they would not re-elect someone who voted for this deal.

RESULTS SO FAR... ADD YOUR VOICE!
Click here to take the survey.

Those Tribal Board Members who voted for this who are up for re-election in 2012 include: Bernard Bouschor, Lana Causley, Pat Rickley, Joe Eitrem and Joe McCoy.

To see a brief power point show, click here. and for the survey slides click here.

Introductions's Fell Flat at The Elder's Holiday Dinner

2010-12-08T19:42:00.000-08:00

Sault Ste. Marie, Mi...Introductions fell flat at the Dream Catcher's Theater Tuesday night where several hundred elders from the Eastern Upper Peninsula gathered to enjoy their annual holiday dinner. There was some speculation that all the old folks were just too tired to applaud.

However, the lack of enthusiasm was more likely brought on by other reasons. Over the years the elder's dinner has been a bell-weather indicating how tribal administration is doing and with that being the case, the McCoy administration isn't doing very well.

Chairman McCoy himself looked as though he wasn't doing well either. Perhaps the chairman needs to take a sleeping pill. He looked tired and disheveled and as though he was struggling to overcome something. Stumbling and bumbling at the podium while delivering his speech, the chairman didn't make much of an impression.

Vice Chairman Causley: well she was busy working the crowd. Tall and stiff, head held back a tad too far, she looked as though she was trying to live something down. Imagine that?

Director Boushor, he was there. Back and center. A few from his camp were with him. They had a fire going and were standing around it. They were overheard saying how they might sue the tribe to have it pay their legal bills...should it be so brazen as to appeal the 7+2 case. After all, they reason, they spent a half a million of their own money defending themselves. So certainly they're entitled to ask for it back. They were real happy however with how their expensive teams of lawyers manipulated the legal system and loved the message that the jurors sent out to their fellows citizens: if you're being harassed in your workplace it's all right to steal millions of dollars from your employer as compensation.

Director Pine was seen busily working the crowd too. Director Pine was.............seen back and center............?

Director's Malloy and Abramson visited their constituents...on the peripheral margins. Could it be they were avoiding the back and center. Very likely,yes it could? There's been noticeable divisions between the back and center and the front and center and the peripheral margin's lately. Some having speculated they're deep and may never heal. Oh, my...

Directors Massaway and Rickley. Of course, eh? Front and center, huh? Lovely twosome. Where else? You have to love them both and love the red shirts they wear to the dinners. What wonderful spirits they are. Neither of them left their seats except for a brief and enthusiastic appearance on stage to present a deserving constituent with a citizenship award. Aah that food was so gooood....

Who got the biggest hand...the food servers of course. Them and the cooks, they both did a wonderful job...and the rafters were made to rattled in their honor...the old folks had to reach deep, but they found the wherewithal to do it...

Alert, alert, alert...Chairman McCoy acting on behalf of all of his dear and loved constituents near and far and all across the grand sweep of this great nation, met the challenge and notified each and every one of them to be on their guard against inaccurate email messages...that they are being sent out on computers...ooh...and that they're not to be believed, says the savvy Chairman. Please, please he warns, call your directors first before you talk to anybody else...to learn the w h o l e truth about whatever.

About the other reasons for all those flat intro's...consider this half a dozen or so: within the last couple of years our intrepid directors have loss an eight million dollar casino. And they've subsequently re-upped for another Greek Giveaway. Isn't twice burned supposed to be the limit? The tribe has already had The Barge and Greektown...so what gives? Huh? Huh? Huh?

Don't forget the solar deal in Mexico. Yes, Mexico. What if something goes wrong with that deal. Will the tribe get its money back? Mexico isn't in the United States. It never has been...be careful where you're getting your info...okay?

Well, back to the Greek Giveaway. Mr. Gatzaros made only seventy million off Greektown. Rumor has it that director Boushor got a check every month in the mail under its letterhead. Moreover, it's been substantiated that other checks-in-the mail-deals are currently being offered...to who, to who else? to the the tribe's most wonderful and influential citizens of course...who else? Well....?

Of course there's good citizen director Boushor. He's still taking the tribe for everything he can get. He wants his legal fees paid by it now. He beat it out of two and a half million and he wants it to pay for his and his co-conspirators defense...just a mere five hundred thousand dollars more. Hardly anything to be concerned about, right? He deserves it, right? Right?

And of course the referendums. Former director McKelvie did a good job of collecting petitions to bring the Mexican deal to a vote...and former chairman Payment has likewise done a great job with the third go-around with Mr. Gatzaros...the new Greek Giveaway.

So it's no wonder the elders weren't happy campers at the dinner. Not only was there all that stuff mentioned above to give them heartburn...but they had to put up with all the tribal politicians in their faces...all the while they were trying to swallow their turkey. Could they be the reason why they weren't buying. Or was it that the politicians were pretending that all was honky dory and they weren't having anything to do with it? Very likely...

Politicians were bombarding them with all the reasons for them to be thankful to the tribe for all the wonderful things that it was doing for them and they just weren't having a darn thing to do with any of it...

...how ungrateful of those oldsters, eh?

Thank you, Charles Forgrave

MOTION DENIED!

2010-12-07T06:44:00.000-08:00

Fred Paquin must be shaking in his boots right now. The judge has denied another request by Paquin's attorney for an adjournment of sentencing. According to the United States District Judge, R. Allan Edgar, counsel for Paquin has had ample time to prepare for the sentencing hearing.

Fred, you did the crime and now you are going to do the time. Maybe the Sault Tribe will finally see some justice in return for the crimes committed by at least one of our renowned criminals.

Merry Christmas to us.

Lynne Weaver

Chairman Crosses the Line

2010-12-01T19:01:00.000-08:00

Charges must be filed against the Chairman.
He has no authority to create "new" rules for a referendum.
He is violating your civil rights.
File an official complaint with the tribal police.
Don't be bluffed!
Get the required signatures in, on time.

(1) An ordinance or resolution enacted by the Board of Directors shall be submitted
to a popular referendum upon petition of at least one hundred (100) eligible voters of the
Tribe presented to the Board in accordance with this section.
The petition shall bear the name and address of each signatory in legible form. The name
and address of the person circulating the petition shall also be included.

(3) All petitions must be received at the main administrative office of the Tribe, 523
Ashmun Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, by no later than the close of business of the next
business day following the expiration of thirty (30) calendar days from the date of enactment
of the ordinance or resolution of the Board of Directors which is the subject of the petition.
This provision is mandatory and jurisdictional.

Each petition submitted must contain the
original signatures; no copies, duplications or facsimiles may be submitted.

(1) The result of any referendum election in which at least thirty percent (30%) of the
eligible voters case ballots shall be valid and binding and conclusive upon the Tribe

Charges must be filed against the Chairman.
He has no authority to create "new" rules for a referendum.
He is violating your civil rights.
File an official complaint with the tribal police.
RJanetos

Chairman McCoy Manipulates the Referendum Process

2010-12-01T18:20:00.000-08:00

Sault Ste. Marie, Mi...If Chairman McCoy throws another roadblock in front of tribal members exercising their constitutional rights, he's going to be fired. He told members that they could have only one packet of petitions and that it had to be stamped with a raised seal.

Come to find out the chairman was wrong. He was pulling a fast one on the membership and breaking the law doing it...if that means anything to him...while limiting the number of petitions available to them for a referendum on whether to go forward with the new Romulus casino...

...otherwise known as the new Greek Deal, or the Greek Giveaway.

The chairman's action has all the earmarks of obstructing the membership's right of referendum. The raised seal prevented them from emailing the petitions to friends and family, relatives and fellow tribal members...to be signed and returned. They would have had to be sent by mail. What's more, he wanted the petitioner to be there when the petition was signed. That too would have prevented the petitioner from using his computer to petition for a referendum.

Section twelve of the constitution is clear about it. There's no mention of either of the chairman's rules. He's guilty of manipulating the process for his own political purposes and the election committee should step up and do something about it.

Well, what about it? The election committee isn't going to lift a hand. Either is the board going to. The chairman has fired lots of members for a lot less. Is he even going to explain his wrongdoing and ask the membership for their understanding and forgiveness. Does he even have any remorse at all for perpetrating this dastardly deed? Should he be fired...?

...you darn right he should. The next time you see him, fire him on the spot.

Thank you, Charles Forgrave

I bet we could start a petition to do just that. Lying to the members and violating the constitution by denying us our rights! Why do we have to get petitions from McCoy anyway? Whose tribe is this...his or ours?
Lynne Weaver

WHO IS TED GATZAROS?

2010-11-30T06:59:00.000-08:00

Greektown businessmen Ted Gatzaros and Jim Papas conspired... with a Maryland businessman to bilk the federal government in a multimillion-dollar loan scheme, a federal prosecutor said in court papers Wednesday.

The government alleges that Gatzaros and Papas defaulted on loans in the early 1990s, then paid a Maryland businessman, William Schainker, to illegally acquire the defaulted loans at a large discount at a federal auction. Schainker then transferred the notes to Gatzaros and Papas, the government said. It said the plan was designed to clean up Gatzaros' and Papas' financial problems ... LINK HERE

Businessman pleads guilty to illegal loan buyback... William Schainker, 59, a Maryland businessman, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Detroit to helping Greektown Casino founders Ted Gatzaros and Jim Papas repurchase loans Papas and Gatzaros had defaulted on.
LINK HERE

Man fined in loan scheme with ex-Greektown Casino figures - 2004-12-02... A federal judge has leveled a fine against a Maryland businessman and placed him on two years' probation for defrauding the federal government. This is in connection with loans to former Greektown Casino figures Ted Gatzaros and James Papas.

U.S. District Judge George Steeh on Wednesday accepted a prosecutor's request that William Schainker, 61, of Chevy Chase be spared imprisonment because of his help with the investigation.

Lynne Weaver