"Waaaaa" said DJ...

....so we removed the cute picture of him and
his cronies. I guess added to the embarrassment of being
in foreclosure on his home umpteen times as well as being
the number one supporter of Paquin the Perpetrator and
being removed from the Greektown board by the Michigan
Gaming Commission, pushed him over the edge. He cried
"Waaaaa lawsuit"....again, and even though he didn't sign
his name to the comment, several of us have been threatened
so often by him that his signature was not necessary.

The poor thing has Sooooo much to be embarrassed about
that he just couldn't take any more negative opinions
that so many have of him as director on the Sault tribal
board. The obvious thing to do DJ is this, plug your ears,
close your eyes, or just..CLEAN UP YOUR ACT! Otherwise, be
prepared to face the consequences for your actions, negative
opinions and all!

Anonymous has left a new comment

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Anonymous has
left a new comment on your post "7 +...":

I am sure you are right ! Sounds just like DJ...it appears his MO
is to threaten people who criticize his performance, or lack thereof,
as a Director. It appears he thinks being a public official puts him
above the public inquiry and gives him the power to threaten and bully
people who do not agree with him.
_______________________________________________________

It was my impression that it was Hoffman who was the most defensive of
"Many Counts Paquin"and spared no words to keep Paquin in his job
as police chief,CEO of Greektown and his spot on the board. Instead,
he should have done his job as a representative of the members and
demanded an investigation of the charges. Many members knew the real
person behind the badge so for the board to pretend otherwise was a
failure of their fiduciary duty to the people of the Sault tribe.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "7 + 1 + 1
Case makes front page of Evening News "...":

It is very possible that the Board of Directors does not
even need to vote to dismiss the lawsuit. Perhaps they only
need to not take further action. They can simply let the
matter drop. Then none of them will have 'dirt' on their
hands. Whether they vote or do nothing, it is a sure bet
among most out here that this case against Bernard will
never go forward.

Comment on your post 7 + 1 + 1

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "7 + 1 + 1
Case makes front page of Evening News "...":

your papers will be served to emmett street on monday

This must be from DJ Hoffman who threatens people who have
an opinion. Guess what DJ...I am not alone in my opinion.
Are you following me around?

7 + 1 + 1 Case makes front page of Evening News

7 + 1 + 1 Case makes front page of Evening News

"Sources say, that at the December 2, 2008 Tribal Board meeting, upon submission of a resolution drafted by Bernard Bouschor, Lana Causley and DJ Hoffman will introduce the resolution to dismiss the lawsuit against Bernard.

"Those expecting to dismiss the lawsuit include: Lana Causley, DJ Hoffman, Cathy Abramson, Shirley Petoskey, Keith Massaway, Bernard Bouschor, and possibly Joe Eitrem.
If either Bernard or Joe do not vote or vote against the measure, it will result in a tie at which time, Joe McCoy, like Lana Causley has suggested the case is a waste of money.

Note that Joe McCoy is part of a family voting block with Cathy (McCoy) Abramson, and DJ Hoffman (whose mother was a McCoy and Cathy's sister).The loss? $2.66 million and granted permission that to steal from your own people is acceptable for elected tribal officials.

We also have a video that suggest opinions from the Sault board about whether or not to continue with the case, I will post that board gathering video "soon".

----------------------------------------------
Nothing less than what I would expect from the Sault Tribe board.
Why in the hell would anyone think it is okay for Bernard Bouschor
to vote on his own lawsuit? Well it is okay because that is the
way he ran the tribe before and that's the way it is again....
nothing less than any of us expected would happen.

I would say that they were voted in to act in our best interest
but I don't believe that for a second. Many were reelected under
very suspicious circumstances just as what has occurred in the
past during Bouschor's previous reign. Of course, I expect an
anonymous comment on how horrible I am to say such things. Well
get over it because most of us think that way. If you have a
problem with my comments then get honest and you will see things
in a different light.

No accountability...none..zilch. The board does what serves them
best and the hell with the members of the tribe. But this is
exactly what many of us expected when Bouschor and the election
chairman went against the vote of the people. We knew Bouschor
would be back on the board with the assistance of Mike McKerchie,
election chairman and parts of the committee. The committee is
made up, in large part, with the relatives of Cathy Abramson, Joe
McCoy and DJ Hoffman, a major conflict of interest but what else
is new.

After all, it was Abramson and Hoffman that spoke so strongly
for Fred Paquin, Sault Tribe embarrassent of a police chief, who
is now in very deep legal do-do. They felt they needed him to
fully control their mafia-like board.

While the hogs live it up on our money, there are many that
suffer like the tribal children and Elders due to the excesses
of the board, who along with their lack of business know how,
have drained the tribe...with the exception of the board and
chairman's salaries of course.

The Elders Meals on Wheels often looks like they cleaned the
frig,dumped it in a pot then served it up. One lady who is
diabetic received a meal loaded with the sugar-forming carbs she
needs to stay away from. Tell me this isn't trash...macaroni,
rice, corn and lima beans made up her meal. Who actually makes
that sort of a meal? One comment that was made is that she should
be lucky to get it. Tell her or any other Elder that while the
Sault tribe board and chairman are filling their faces with freshly
cooked nutritious food.

If you know of an Elder who is alone, please fill up a plate from
your table and bring it to them and make sure they are warm.

Today I am very thankful that I am a member of the Mackinac Bands.
We rid our board of this sort of 'leadership'. We will continue
to finetooth our committee members to keep it free from nits that
could hatch into the incurable mess the Sault tribe members have
to deal with.

Upon recognition, the Mackinac Bands will take care of our Elders
and place them first. Our vision of an Indian community includes
Assisted Living for our Elders or assistance with long-term care
if that is needed. As long as I live and breathe, I will not let
what happened to the Sault Tribe happen with the Mackinac Bands.

Which brings me to this, I have many items that have been donated
by a few very generous members. There are slippers, gloves, winter
boots, throws, personal items and the pile is still growing. They
are intended for a few Elders who have very little including family.
If you know of an Elder in need in the Sault or surrounding area,
please contact me at weave977@yahoo.com. I also have a carload of
new childrens toys if you know of a family or two with children who
will not otherwise have gifts for Christmas.

Today is Thanksgiving and if not for the Indians, the Europeans may
not have survived the way they did when they landed in North America
and took up residence. For most of us, that goodwill still exists
while others have no idea what that means.

For those of us who understand what it means to give,
have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day.

From the Sault Evening News...Story by Scott Brand

SAULT STE. MARIE — A 25-page ruling from the State of Michigan Court
of Appeals appears to clear the way for a civil trial pitting former
Chairman Bernard Bouschor and five co-defendants against the Sault
Tribe of Chippewa Indians in a $2.6 million lawsuit that has simmered
for more than four years.

Bouschor, who currently sits on the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of
Chippewa Indians Board of Directors, was ousted from the chairman
position by challenger Aaron Payment on June 24, 2004. On the
morning of June, 25, 2004, ouschor terminated the contracts of
seven top employees — Executive Director Jolene Nertoli, Chief
Financial Officer Dan Weaver, Chief Counsel and Legal Department
Director Dan Green, Human Resources Director Dave Scott, Deputy
Director of the Legal Department Jim Jannetta, Senior Staff
Attorney Paul Shagen and Special Projects Manager Joe Paczkowski
— providing severance packages totaling approximately $2.6
million.

Payment, with the backing of the Sault Tribe's Board
of Directors, almost immediately took action to recover those
funds — claiming the pay-offs should not have been issued
without board approval, setting the stage for the legal wrangling.
The wheels of justice were so slow, in this particular case,
that by the time it even came to the Court of Appeals, Payment
was no longer in power and Bouschor had been banned from tribal
politics, reinstated and won a seat on the Tribal Board.

While Bouschor was initially named with seven other co-defendants,
the civil claims were eventually dropped against three of the
parties. Jolene Nertoli, Joseph Paczkowski and Paul Shagen
reached settlements with the Sault Tribe in June of 2007.

In making the settlement announcement, the board issued this
statement: “We have resolved the litigation with three of their
defendants because, after reviewing the evidence, we believe it is
in the best interests of the Tribe. While certainly involved in
this plot, the three defendants were not central to either its
planning or execution. We believe we will be able to pursue the
remaining defendants, for the entire unpaid balance, which was
unjustly taken from the Tribe.”Terms of the settlement were
not released.

According to legal experts, Bouschor's motion of summary dismissal
on grounds of governmental immunity, among others, were rejected.
The court appears to have left the door open for civil action on
grounds of breach of fiduciary duty, conspiracy and constructive
fraud, but that will have to be proven when and if the case ever
is argued in open court.

The Sault Tribe, according to informed estimates, has already sunk
more than $700,000 into legal fees associated with this case.

The Tribal Board now will have the option of continuing to pursue
the recovery of funds by committing more money in legal fees for
this effort, or it could opt to take no action — essentially dropping
the case before it heads to court.

Frank Chee Willetto Sr.

We are honored to have WWII Vet Code Talker Frank Chee Willetto as our newest member.











To clarify...The infamous Navajo Code Talker Frank Willetto, Sr. is an honorary member of the Mackinac Bands. He and the other surviving Code Talkers truly define our"Native Pride" and we couldn't be happier about this awesome addition to the MB.

Sault Tribe VS Bernard Bouchor

Sault Tribe of Chippewa

VS

Bernard Bouschor

and
Daniel T. Green, David E. Scott, James M. Jannetta, Daniel J. Weaver, Paul W. Shagen, Joseph M. Paczkowski, Jolene M. Nertoli, Miller Canfield, Paddock & Stone, P.L.C.

Download file

Turtle Talk

Comment from an Anonymous Reader

Old news. Paquin has been tumor all his life. Most of you are just
finding that out as of the past few years.

From Anonymous to Anonymous

Maybe someone should tell anonymous that the "Law" is currently
under investigation by a federal grand jury in Marquette....From
many accounts, Fred's law has terriorized people for years.

Mixed up Tribal Standards

"You are a very EVIL person..... You are no better than the people
that you are pointing your finger at. You will be judged someday too,
by GOD and that is the only judgement you should be concerned about.
All the words you say about the people you are talking about tells me
while you are pointing a finger at them there are 3 more pointed right
back at you. EVIL, EVIL, EVIl.... Let the law do its job."

This is what Anonymous wrote to me. Apparently it is evil to
speak against crime...crime's against the Elders and other members
of the Sault Tribe. Just more screwed up thinking from those that
think stealing is okay, that somehow they deserve what they have
stolen from the rest of us. At the same time, anonymous contradicts
their words by stating that he/she is expecting the law to come
through for the tribal members the same way they always have which
is not saying much of anything.

I would like to remind Anonymous that one of the teachings tells
us to point out sin and evil and bring it to light. Stealing and
crimes against people are sins while exposing them and pointing
the finger at those that commit them are not and do follow the
teachings of the Indian people.

Just because someone is on the board, related to someone on the
board or friends of someone on the board does not mean that they
are above and more deserving than the rest of us. That is the same
sort of messed up thinking that got this tribe in the mess we are
in.

Just because the arrest has not been made, does not mean the crime
has not been committed and that many of us are not aware of what
is going on. Hate to break the news to Anonymous but there are
members that participated in the process of bringing justice to
the tribal members. Many knew of the crimes but only recently have
begun to come forward.

How does Anonymous think the investigation got started if everyone
has kept quiet? Just because that is the way it has been for many
years does not mean that is the way it is supposed to be. Not being
'found out' does not make it right. Geez, I hope Anonymous isn't
raising any kids and teaching them that sins are okay as long as you
don't get caught.

I talk to God everyday, many times a day and thank Him for every
tiny little thing that has come my way, even the bad because it
was handed to me because He knew I could handle it or would handle it.
He wanted me to write about the evil doings in this tribe which is why
he gave me the talent and the strength to do it. I didn't know the
person that built this blog until after it was done and those of us
that work with him consider him a 'Godsend' so putting two and two
together tells me I have a job to do.

How sad that you think God condones stealing from others. I think
you are being fooled by that evil beast, "Satan", into believing
that evil is good and good is evil. Please people who are reading
this, ....make the world a better place by praying for those who think
as Anonymous does so that they are able to discover the truth and
learn the difference between good and evil and right and wrong.

"Trump the Tribe"

There's a new board game out called "Trump the Tribe".

All it requires to play the game well is a conniving, criminal mind, an endless supply of greed and the absence of a conscience.

Once on the board, one can rapidly advance to acquire properties, especially if they have already won the 'badge'. To win the game, you must place an order for the "goods", reduce it and then carry a credit.

Once there are enough credits, the player can then bypass
all avenues and use those credits as they wish without
having to go to the 'bank'. The player must convince
the seller that all is legit or the player does not pass
'Go' but goes straight to jail. The player can avoid jail
by burning down the place without getting caught but the
chances of that happening are slim to none at all.

When (not if) caught, the player must point their finger
to the other players in order to get out of jail sooner
but the other players cannot be forewarned about what hit
them until it is way too late. Once pointed at, the other
players land on the 'Crime doesn't pay' spot and must not
pass 'Go' but go straight to jail too. But, they too can
get out of jail sooner (maybe) by pointing their finger to
the next player in order to help the board master really
clean up.

Isn't this fun!

Bad Advice...Miller Canfield?

Bad advice may cost county $30,000

By SCOTT BRAND/The Evening News

Story created Nov 11, 2008 - 11:30:47 EST.

"SAULT STE. MARIE — Bad advice from the bonding attorney may wind
up costing the taxpayers of Chippewa County approximately $30,000
for the $3.1 million jail expansion project.

“He said we could borrow from the DTRF (delinquent tax revolving
fund),” explained County Administrator James German, identifying
Joel Peel of Miller Canfield, “and then he
switches his mind as we begin to make payments.”

German, who was hired on in March of this year, said the original
plan approved by Peel in 2007 had allowed the county to utilize
the DTRF to make payments, essentially buying time before the
millage monies came rolling in. The new plan, which calls for the
sale of capital improvement bonds, will wind up costing the county
$30,000 in transaction fees. German expressed the hope that
Miller Canfield would waive the transaction
fees associated with the new funding mechanism since the firm
was directly responsible for the increased cost."
---------------------------------------------------

Miller Canfield and bad advice...something sounds familiar here
but let me think on this a bit and maybe I will make the connection.

The Word Is...

I got the word today that the investigation is going strong and
is bigger and deeper then we could have ever hoped for.

For all those that contributed to the information pool, you have
no idea how much you have served the members of the Sault Tribe.
Keep those cards and letters (and emails) coming.

A word about the Grand Jury...
They meet once a month in Marquette and with each new discovery
is an added measure of time to the investigation. In other
words, so and so points the finger and then so and so with the
finger pointed at them becomes part of the investigation which
results in the necessity to investigate a new accusation.

All I can say folks is this...FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY!!!!

Lies and Unaccountability

One of the hot topics at a recent event I attended was none
other than the Sault Tribe's financial state. With only a
couple of us being tribal members, we were presented with
an array of questions as well as some interesting comments.

A name that was referred to often as being the source of
such comments was none other than Sault Tribe Director,
Dennis McKelvie. It seems that McKelvie has been pointing
the finger of blame for the financial mismanagement and
resulting fall of the Sault Tribe empire right at the former
chairman, Aaron Payment. According to a few non-indian
Sugar Island residents as well as local business people,
McKelvie said that Payment spent all the money in reserve.

What McKelvie failed to say was that Payment did not have
signature authority to "spend" multi-millions of the tribal
members money nor did he have a vote except in the case
of a tie. The group was also unaware that the Sault Tribe
directors were booted from the Greektown management board
by the bankruptcy courts because they were not qualified
to manage it. Tsk, tsk Denny...your integrity is being
questioned by those that you told your tall tales to.

Tribal members that were there, made sure this group was
informed of the truth and that if they had any doubts, they
need not take our word but could request the minutes of the
meetings to see who voted for what. One person asked why
Bouschor was able to approve so many expenditures when he
was chairman but as we explained, that signature authority
changed when Payment was elected.

Although it was an opportunity to fill this group in that
McKelvie was one of those protecting another that we may
soon be reading about, we decided to leave things as they
were until the FBI, BIA and the Grand Jury are ready to
take action. Too many rumors and misinformation have created
an overload in this community. If those three entities
cannot uncover the truth then talking about it pointless.

The wheels of justice turn slowly...very slowly it seems,
but we can pray that the finger pointing of the guilty will
stick them right in their own eyes at the same time they are
trying desperately to pull both feet out of all their lying
mouths.

God Blessed America

It's a miracle, men and women, black and white....crying,
smiling, celebrating, together. Hope on their faces instead
of despair. Martin Luther King's vision came true tonight
and so did the dreams of those who prayed for a better
future. On November 4, 2008, a black and white man won the
presidency and united people of all colors and races.
I'm happy and hope you are too.

Freddie's Fickle Fan Club

Remember all those Sault Tribe directors who defended the actions
of Fred Paquin, the fallen police chief who is now beseiged with
a mountain of legal problems? When the Grand Jury makes one or
more decisions on what to charge Paquin with (my guess is 'more'),
will those directors who covered up for him apologize to the tribal
members and the Sault Tribe Police Department?

Not likely since that would be an admission of a horrible mistake
and the worst case of judgement they have ever been guilty of.
To admit another failure would certainly make them look much worse
then they already do in the eyes of the tribal members, if
it is possible to look any worse then they do now.

If they were capable of admitting yet another huge mistake, they
would have taken a paycut when their continuous bad decisions led
this tribe into financial ruin. While we can't hold newly elected
directors (well at least one of them) responsible, the rest should
have offered to do the job for free, or even better, offered to
step down.

If and when the charges are laid out against Paquin, there are many
tribal members ready to remind everyone the names of those directors
who defended Paquin to the point that they actually seemed to be
covering for him. Maybe Paquin will make it easy for them by providing
FBI investigators with information as to why those directors worked
so hard to save his corrupt self from exposure.

In the meantime, the tribal members are buzzing with excitement. Could
it be true? Will Paquin finally be held accountable for his crimes
that have been reported by so many? It's about time this tribe had
something to celebrate and Paquin's arrest could be just the ticket.
All we can do is hope and pray that justice will be finally served.

Oh Oh!

Sault Tribe Board of Directors are being individually questioned by the
Grand Jury. Nerves are on edge and it seems the finger pointing
is so frequent that heads are spinning trying to keep up.

Biggest news is that the most shameful member of the Sault Tribe is
looking at doing some time....none other than Fred Paquin but that could
depend on who he tries to take with him. Prison is not a good place for
a police chief accused of so many crimes including those against women
but maybe he will find true love while he is there. All you people that
have things you are afraid of saying...now is the time to say it.

Another bit of news is that a decision is on the horizon regarding the
2.7 million plus. If this is not favorable to Bouschor, he will not be
serving any time as a director on the Sault tribe board. As a matter of
fact, it may be possible that there could be more than one vacancy
coming up on the Sault Tribe board but more on that later.

Questions Worth Pondering

Why did Bernard Bouschor, when chairman of the Sault Tribe, offer
millions to the Nipmucs to assist them in their goal to achieve
federal recognition but not make that same offer to the Mackinac
Bands?

About 4.5 million is the figure I was given that the Sault Tribe
paid to the Nipmucs for a percent of their casino profits that never
materialized.

Why not give back the Mackinac Band's $15 million of the land clams
money plus interest that was set aside by the federal government
so the MB can use it for their own recognition in order to protect
the interests of MB members?

Silly question, isn't it! Could it be that once they took everything
from the Mackinac Bands leaving them with no negotiating power there
was no remaining need to deal with the MB once they had stripped them
of all their assets.

There is no record of any agreement between the Mackinac Bands and
the Sault Tribe and no vote by the MB members to become part of the
Sault Tribe as well as no vote by the ST members to adopt so many
more members into their tribe. But when individual Mackinac Band
members were offered the opportunity to have medical and dental
care they took it and joined the Sault Tribe only to have their
benefits limited and their rights threatened.

But were Mackinac Band members ever really Sault Tribe members?
Even though the MB members were told they would be members
of the Sault Tribe, the Sault Tribe always made it distinctively
clear that the MB members were seperate from the Sault Tribe. The
MB members did not have the same rights as the ST members since
only a small portion of the MB had representative government in
the form of a director that would represent their best interests
and because there was no agreement between the two tribes, the
Mackinac Bands continued to maintain their distinction as a seperate
tribe.

The Sault Tribe did not act in good faith on behalf of the Mackinac
Band members but misled them in order to lay claim to MB property and
then didn't include them in the Constitution which left the MB members
(and still does) vulnerable to disenrollment.

Did the Sault Tribe board misappropriate and mismanage the funds
that rightfully belong to the Mackinac Band members? We keep asking
but we have not gotten an answer. Some fool said "Silence is Golden"
but to whom? It seems that the Sault Tribe leaders have taken that
quote as their motto. Nothing lasts forever,,,including silence.

Truth, Lies and Politics

The U.S. news is full of stories about corruption, lies and
cover-ups on Wall Street, as well as racism and exaggerated,
negative claims including provoking fear in the American
people through political campaigns. Investigations into
election fraud include the registration of those that have
passed on as well as those who did not exist other than
possibly in a cartoon. Some of the fraud was nothing more
than a quick money making scheme for those trying to ‘earn’
a quick buck but other issues surrounding election fraud are
still in question. While some people stick their heads in
the sand, others feel these things only happen in the movies.

But yet, that sort of unethical, immoral behavior has been
something that has plaqued the Sault tribe members for years
so we should be able to see through all of the manipulations
by now. Some members and employees knew the truth but used
the sort of tactics that made accusers look like they were
troublemakers, liars or just plain out of their minds. Adding
a little "tsk, tsk" to their downplaying of reality was done
with the intent to make themselves appear logical and even
innocent.

For now, one might think that all is well and good with the
leaders and jobs are being lost because of the economy. The
difference is that the Sault Tribe is a sovereign nation and
the entire nation seems to be going down the tubes. Why did
this happen? The Sault Tribe failed to diversify. They focused
on casinos which always seem to attract corruption. Just saying
the word outloud, “Casino” immediately draws the vultures.
It can’t be easy trying to filter out those that will corrupt
with promises of major payoffs not only to those playing the
games but also to those behind them.

Apathy is the key requirement for the continuity of corruption
and greed. What allows such things to continue is the indiffe-
rence or the assumption that nothing can be done. What happens
when we ignore the obvious or make excuses for our lack of
interest? Corruption is allowed to grow and fester until it
becomes what we have today; accepted.

What do we do now? Not much if we continue to accept things the
way they are. To keep an open mind is smart. Smart people are
open to new ideas. Smart people don’t close their eyes to what
is right in front of them. Stupid people close their eyes, shut
their mouths and don’t hear what is going on around them...see
no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil.

If you are happy with the way things are in your government then
you are a rare bird. If you aren’t happy then why aren’t you
speaking up? It is either apathy or it is fear and neither one
of those choices will bring about change. Making positive
changes in the U.S. government comes through your vote and
researching the person you are voting for. The research should
not come from watching t.v. news channels but through records of
success.

Drawing negative conclusions about a candidate based on political
garbage, their religious affiliations or their name is completely
irresponsible and stupid. For instance, someone said to me that
Barrack Obama didn’t put his hand over his heart during the Pledge
of Allegiance as if that somehow made him anti-American. Have you
attended or watched a televised professional football game lately?
Look around and see how many people make that patriotic move during
the national anthem. I did and only about 1 in 50 people do so.
Does that make them unpatriotic?

Another ‘stupid person’ mistake is to assume that someone who has
a name that sounds ‘Arab’ is a Muslim so therefore must be a
terrorist. Because I am also German does this mean I am going to
kill those who are Jewish? Which brings me to another point;
recently, several Muslims were fired when they were caught praying
at work because it interfered with regular breaks. Why did this
employer hire so many Muslims? Was it because they worked cheap
and had to accept being treated like sub-humans? Doesn’t anyone
else stop in the middle of their day to pray? Should we hide our
faith from employers since there is no prayer allowed in schools,
government and no religious displays allowed in public places?
Sounds communist to me.

Should we assume that when someone reaches a certain age that
they have reached their expiration date and could die at any time
therefore making them not worthwhile of our consideration? Who
determines that age? Some have complained that a certain candidate
would be too easy on immi-grants. Any of us who hold our Native
American ancestry in high regard would find this a really stupid
thought since anyone that is not 100% Native American is descended
from immigrants. Since natives only number slightly over a million
in the U.S. and many of those are of mixed blood, the majority of
all US residents and citizens have descended from immigrants. When
the Europeans landed in America, did they have passports and
immigration papers? Formation of government wrote the laws that
changed all that but what was once legal is now illegal. Nothing
has changed other then the law that says so.

The point is if you don’t like the way things are then step up to
the plate and say so. At the same time, keep an open mind if you
don’t want to look stupid.

Mackinac Bands Childrens Christmas Party

Download file













Members and Directors of the Mackinac Bands will be
circulating throughout the eastern Northern Michigan
communities for the purpose of obtaining donations and
volunteers to provide a Christmas party for our needy
children.

This year will be one of the most difficult times for many
families with high gas prices having an impact on every
aspect of our lives. The economy is at the lowest level
that many of us have ever experienced. Jobs are at a
premium, even those that pay only minimum wage are hard to
come by.

There are so many of us that have much to share with those
that have little or nothing. Imagine what it would be like
to wonder what you will feed your children for dinner when
the cupboard is bare. How do you explain to a child that
Santa Claus is broke this year and had to layoff all the
elves? No matter how little you can do, it is better than
nothing at all.

What can you give up to provide a small toy or a pair of
mittens to a child? Can you forego your favorite lunch at
a fast food restaurant just once? How about one less twelve
pack of your favorite beverage and do you really need that
pizza delivery? How many new items of clothing did you
purchase this year and how many more do you plan to buy
before Christmas? Can you make one purchase for a child
that would sure love a new pair of pajamas? Have any
sewing talents? How about those simple to make fleece
blankets that any child would love to wrap up in and keep
warm this winter.

The point is, there is a lot we can give up or contribute
to help another.
Anyone wishing to donate or volunteer can contact
me, Lynne Weaver, at 906-440-7099 and leave a message
with your name and contact information or email me at
weaver977@yahoo.com.

Further details will be announced at a later date.

Today's Message of the Day is:

Life is short,
Break the rules,
Forgive quickly,
Kiss slowly,
Love truly,
Laugh uncontrollably,
And never regret anything
that made you smile.

Life may not be the party we hoped for,
but while we're here we should DANCE!!!!!

Mackinac Bands Membership

Are you a member of the Mackinac Bands?

Want to find out? Start here by clicking on the
link below for the Mackinac Bands and find family
names. If the link does not work, copy and paste
to your internet browser.

Mackinac Bands Web Site

Mackinac Bands Durant roll listings
look for your family Descendents

Denny McKelvie voting video

The Sault Tribe of Sugar Island
and Anyone Else That We Want Indians

If you listen closely to what McKelvie says in this video,
you will realize that he did not think things through before
he started talking.

At one point, he states that 'only those who were members of
the tribe at the time the first constitution was voted on
can vote on the amended Constitution'.

How many people were actually members of the tribe at the
time the first constitution was voted on? If that is true then
this means that anyone, born after the first Constitution cannot
vote...correct?

Also if you became a member of the Sault tribe during some open
enrollment period and are entitled to be a member of the Sault
tribe because you descend from one of the original bands but did
so after the first Constitution was voted on, then according to
McKelvie you are not eligible to vote....at least, not according
to his interpretation.

Sounds to me like Denny is trying to eliminate more than the
Mackinac Bands. Sounds to me like the Sault tribe is headed
towards a name change...The Sault Tribe of Sugar Island
and Anyone Else That We Want Indians

Land Claims Money

Amount Due Mackinac Band Members
from Sault Tribe

$15,000.000.00 plus interest

Tribal Voting Rights Mackinac Bands...

Mackinac Bands of Chippewa & Ottawa Indians

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Mackinac Bands of Chippewa and Ottawa Indians
is to fulfill our promise to Mother Earth and the Creator and to
open a path to self-sufficiency for our members and their heirs.

Our mission is to serve by facilitating collaboration between tribal
business, economic, natural and cultural resources , education
programs, to identify areas of research and outreach that will
positively affect the lives of the members of the tribe and their
heirs.

The collaborations will be based on respect, relevancy, responsibility,
reciprocity to:

I. Develop, research and disseminate findings that provide
tribal policy makers with trustworthy information.

II. Create reciprocal agreements that increase access to
education and communicate tribal perspectives that enable the
Mackinac Tribe of Chippewa and Ottawa Indians to better respond
to tribal needs in a manner respecting cultural values.

III. Create educational and technical employment training
programs in order to fulfill the needs of tribal members to maintain
their pride in regards to their own self sufficiency.

IV. To facilitate tribal access to funding from private
foundations and public sources available for future enterprises
in order to provide economic stability and growth to our community
as well as to tribal members.

V. Develop a talent database of needs for our tribe in
order to utilize the talents of our tribal population before all
others as well as provide for student and staff internships.

VI. Create a data base to compile information on possible
funding sources as well as the criteria requirements for funding.

VII. Lastly, to encourage honest and ethical conduct in all
business dealings in order to maintain the integrity and teachings
of the Indian people.

MACKINAC BANDS ENROLLMENT

Enrollment is open with the Mackinac Bands for
those who can trace their lineal descent to one
of the bands that make up the Mackinac
Bands.

It is not necessary to give up your membership with
any other tribe you are currently enrolled in at this
time. Members will receive notification when the
choice must be made.

Click on the link for the Mackinacbands.org to enroll
or to send an email with any questions you may have.
Be sure to include your name with any inquiries.

Join us now!

American Cancer Society's Relay for Life

On October 4th, 2008 the Mackinac Bands of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Flag was sighted at the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life walk in Lower Michigan.

Mackinac Bands Native Marine Veteran Flag carrier Ronald Bushnell seen here with Robert Geroux Sr together they carried the flag proudly with various family and friends to help raise money for the American Cancer Society.

"Relay For Life is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs of your American Cancer Society. During the event, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walkingor running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times.

"If you want to know what you can do to help out the American Cancer Society click on the link here.

Sometimes......

Sometimes we have to learn from our mistakes the hard way and
be prepared to face the consequences.

Sometimes the hard road is preparing us for one even harder
as well as the opportunity and the choice to take the right road.

Sometimes opportunity does not always knock on our door.
We have to seek it by opening all the doors to see if it is there.