I welcome the opportunity to address accusations by two tribal members. One claims that I am an opportunist because of my involvement with the Mackinac Bands. The second hypocritical accuser, after dropping sacred Eagle feathers on the ground in the midst of a ceremonial dance, waves his culture card at me while failing to honor the 7 Grandfathers at any level.
Less than two years ago a small group of Mackinac Band leaders took the wise advice of an Alaskan attorney to take the MB public, to work with communities and form government to government relationships, from local communites right up to the federal level. With a few wrenches thrown in here and there, we continue to forge ahead.
We have a website and blogs, have held a powwow and participated in others. We invited members to participate in annual feasts, meetings and related discussions. One board member designed and produced our flag and logo as well as spent thousands from his own pocket to provide us with much needed equipment. We have been invited to participate in major projects in more than one community, with details to be released at a later date.
Some of us have done and are still doing our research to develop business, a constitution, bylaws, and election rules. We have asked members to join us and to offer their opinions and advice. Others have offered to write grants as soon as budgets and plans are in place. Many have volunteered without expecting a dime in return but do it just to help the members of the Mackinac Bands.
Last year, the Mackinac Bands volunteers held a children's Christmas party and received a surprising number of donations including a van load of gifts from a new member living in southern lower Michigan and they have already arranged to make delivery of several more loads for this years party.
Since we have evolved from obscurity, we have managed to attract some who are trying to ride the wave on our surfboard hoping to hit the beach before we do. Mini groups who claim to be the reorganized MB seem to have an agenda other than to benefit the members of the Mackinac Bands of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. One spokesperson for one such mini group continues to show up at meetings to raise a ruckus along with sending letters to Senators (and who knows who else) to say that their group wants nothing to do with the MB which seems to contradict their actions of constant negative involvement.
Another group of half a dozen or less is also sending letters to the same Senators stating that they are the real MB even though they formed their group in April of 2008 claiming to have reorganized. The original Mackinac Bands did not reorganize and have maintained their continuity. The real intent of these mini groups seem to be struggles with power issues....who gets to be lifetime chief minus the consensus of the membership....whereas, the MB will invite the members to decide, through a membership election, who will lead for specified terms.
The constitution and bylaws of the original MB has been revised and amended and is ready for a vote. Under the new constitution, an election must be held within a year of its approval. In following the constitution, an election committee will be formed to research and produce an election code. There is much more to be done but the leaders of the MB are up to the challenge regardless of how many mini-groups try to lay claim to the work already done by the current leaders of the Mackinac Bands.
Not a single dime goes into our pockets for all we do but just the opposite occurs. Many of us not only contribute our time but our own money to help with administrative costs. We have made a lot of progress in the last couple of years. Instead of being in the red, we now have a little money in the bank and zero debt.
The question is....what have these other groups done to prove their existence other than try to take credit for the hard work of the MB? What have they done for the people they claim to represent? Where have they held their powwows and public meetings?
There are a lot of people who operate like myself and the other members of the Mackinac Bands, Mr. Doud. We volunteer because we care. If you find me to be an undesirable character that does not fit your sphere of influence then I thank the Creator for that. If I am an opportunist because I volunteer my time freely and without expectations of monetary reward then I will gladly take ownership of that title.
Thank you for setting the volunteers and the leaders of the MB apart from yourself and Mr. Grondin. We couldn't be happier for the opportunity.
Lynne Weaver
Less than two years ago a small group of Mackinac Band leaders took the wise advice of an Alaskan attorney to take the MB public, to work with communities and form government to government relationships, from local communites right up to the federal level. With a few wrenches thrown in here and there, we continue to forge ahead.
We have a website and blogs, have held a powwow and participated in others. We invited members to participate in annual feasts, meetings and related discussions. One board member designed and produced our flag and logo as well as spent thousands from his own pocket to provide us with much needed equipment. We have been invited to participate in major projects in more than one community, with details to be released at a later date.
Some of us have done and are still doing our research to develop business, a constitution, bylaws, and election rules. We have asked members to join us and to offer their opinions and advice. Others have offered to write grants as soon as budgets and plans are in place. Many have volunteered without expecting a dime in return but do it just to help the members of the Mackinac Bands.
Last year, the Mackinac Bands volunteers held a children's Christmas party and received a surprising number of donations including a van load of gifts from a new member living in southern lower Michigan and they have already arranged to make delivery of several more loads for this years party.
Since we have evolved from obscurity, we have managed to attract some who are trying to ride the wave on our surfboard hoping to hit the beach before we do. Mini groups who claim to be the reorganized MB seem to have an agenda other than to benefit the members of the Mackinac Bands of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. One spokesperson for one such mini group continues to show up at meetings to raise a ruckus along with sending letters to Senators (and who knows who else) to say that their group wants nothing to do with the MB which seems to contradict their actions of constant negative involvement.
Another group of half a dozen or less is also sending letters to the same Senators stating that they are the real MB even though they formed their group in April of 2008 claiming to have reorganized. The original Mackinac Bands did not reorganize and have maintained their continuity. The real intent of these mini groups seem to be struggles with power issues....who gets to be lifetime chief minus the consensus of the membership....whereas, the MB will invite the members to decide, through a membership election, who will lead for specified terms.
The constitution and bylaws of the original MB has been revised and amended and is ready for a vote. Under the new constitution, an election must be held within a year of its approval. In following the constitution, an election committee will be formed to research and produce an election code. There is much more to be done but the leaders of the MB are up to the challenge regardless of how many mini-groups try to lay claim to the work already done by the current leaders of the Mackinac Bands.
Not a single dime goes into our pockets for all we do but just the opposite occurs. Many of us not only contribute our time but our own money to help with administrative costs. We have made a lot of progress in the last couple of years. Instead of being in the red, we now have a little money in the bank and zero debt.
The question is....what have these other groups done to prove their existence other than try to take credit for the hard work of the MB? What have they done for the people they claim to represent? Where have they held their powwows and public meetings?
There are a lot of people who operate like myself and the other members of the Mackinac Bands, Mr. Doud. We volunteer because we care. If you find me to be an undesirable character that does not fit your sphere of influence then I thank the Creator for that. If I am an opportunist because I volunteer my time freely and without expectations of monetary reward then I will gladly take ownership of that title.
Thank you for setting the volunteers and the leaders of the MB apart from yourself and Mr. Grondin. We couldn't be happier for the opportunity.
Lynne Weaver
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