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 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
3 comments:
A Cause Greater then One's Self
The creation of a federally recognized tribe is complicated and requires sacrifice.
The motivation must be pure.
Greed, ego and power must be checked at the door.
The constitution is the simple task.
As long as you can provide oversight, have enforceable laws and penalties...you should be good to go.
Borrow the one that Bouchor stopped.
You can iron out and amend afterward.
Just remember that the first government is "interim" until elections.
Getting all parties to agree is the trick.
Membership
Term of Elected Office
Term Limits
Digital Elections
Government in the "Sunshine".
Removal from Office
Hiring Preference
Representative Accountability
Elder Oversight and Anti-Corruption Board
Cultural/Spiritual Leader
Planning
Accounting
Enterprise Development
Grant Development
Administrator for Government Programs
Public Safety
etc..etc..etc..
You start out slow.
Remember the little office on Greenough
Some group from the Mackinaw Band (not its not a Tribe)actually presented a Constitution to the federal government several months ago!
A Constitution is not a requirement of federal acknowledgment some Tribes or Bands are acknowledged using there traditional form of government instead of the white mans elective process.
I get confused when people want to claim a petetion number like #64, it was filed and never followed up with nor responded to. That is not something to be proud of. If your wanting to continue with that prosess that #64 left off with, just do it with a fresh start, a new path, new purpose and new life don't attach a dead end to your portfolio. Basically your saying " hey I'm petitioner #64 and I dont respond to the OFA and havent moved forward in over 20yrs, but I'm the governing body and spoke person for our people! and im looking out for you!" That sounds great!!...NOT
Leave these OFA numbers where they belong....in the past!!!..they carry no weight or clout what so ever. They actually do more harm then good.
I believe in everything else you stated and believe you understand what our people need. If you move forward with those ideas and create a foundation around those principles you can bring our people together and we will support you.
This is exspressed with respect and with no ill will.
DOI
Mackinac Ogitchida
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