December 2 2015 Chairmans Notes

Posoh Nec-Omaeqnomenewak, In this update, my intention is to provide you with information concerning other activities that Tribe and Legislature has engaged in outside the Hemp issue. The fall season is ending and winter is knocking at the door. Hope you have you firewood cut. In the past month, my office and the Legislature have held numerous meetings and intergovernmental consultations and below is a summary of some of the main events that have taken place: • September, October and November, 2015 – Attended Great Lakes Intertribal Council (GLITC) meetings. While lots of grant discussions and meetings with state and federal agencies happen at these meetings, there was one item new to the meetings. The tribes have created, with the WI Department of Justice (DOJ), an “Intertribal Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee,” which will review and recommend solutions to tribal law enforcement, incarceration, and court system issues. Some recommendations will go to the State Legislature asking for changes in law, while some might be recommendations for tribal agreements with the state or counties, and some may be consideration for policy changes in various state and county agencies that could help tribes. Menominee also in October provided a tour and educational session for the other tribes of Wisconsin regarding what a non-Public Law 280 status entails. The tribes are pursuing a possible process by which the state can give up their jurisdiction over the other tribes. We showed them our courts, police department, jail, probation, prosecutor office, etc. and also explained the costs associated with these departments, as well as the other costs, such as social service costs. The tribes came away in awe of the quality of our programs and staff and governance. Sometimes we take for granted what we have. • October 2015 – Attended the NCAI Annual Conference in San Diego, CA. I found the information is overwhelming and useful for the tribe. Three of the biggest takeaways from there include: 1. Made contact with Administration for Native Americans (ANA) regarding funding to support our Menominee Language Teacher Immersion Project, which will culminate in the creation of approx. ten (10) additional fluent speakers that we will then use for a language immersion school, as well as additional speakers to work in the other schools and in the community. We have asked ANA to provide grant funding to help support/continue our efforts beyond what we have committed to. 2. Have met with, applied to, and secured a spot with the Department of Energy (DOE) in their Office of Indian Energy regarding assistance in the development of a “Menominee Strategic Energy Plan.” We will present this soon to MTL to decide next steps. It is time for the Tribe to strategically define our goals, resources and priorities so we can strategically move forward with planned intentional energy for the Tribe. We, meaning us all, will decide what we want as the priorities for our future. Is it cheapest energy? Sustainable energy? Smallest carbon footprint? Energy independence? Biggest job producing energy form? Energy with the most grant or utility assistance or lowest initial capital costs? This plan must help us frame our next steps instead of reacting to the outside. 3. Solicited initial assistance for the development of a plan to create an Agriculture Department along with tribal codes and ordinances to support it. Codes include our own tribal food safety codes to allow us to eventually feed our people by selling the food grown, as well as feeding our members in our schools and elderly programs. We also will create a process for deciding other agricultural products to grow here, including business plan assistance. • October 2015 - Met regularly with BIA, WDNR, USFWS and other various state and federal agencies regarding our attempt to design and install a fish movement system (ladder) on the Balsam Row Dam as was ordered through our FERC Settlement almost 10 years ago. While this process is long and complex, we are moving slowly forward. • October 2015 - The Tribe has, for the time being, completed the planned purchases of properties that were foreclosed on by Menominee County. In total, the tribe purchased 35 Legend Lake area properties, one wooded property in South Branch. One Legend Lake area property has home that will be renovated for a new rental program. All other properties are vacant lots for future development. In addition, the Tribe purchased one home that was foreclosed on by the USDA Rural Development, which is located on trust land in the Legend Lake area; this home will also be renovated for rental through a new market based rental program being developed and managed by the Tribal Housing Department. Numerous other properties were sold by the county to tribal members. The Tribe opted against exercising our 10 day right of purchase on those properties. • In October 2015, I also met with a group to engage in discussion and planning relating to the proposed Back 40 mine that would impact our historical territory, more specifically, our place of origin at the mouth of the Menominee River, in Marinette County. This group is working to address the concerns that the Tribe has with the permitting process, archeological survey, regulatory authority, and the impacts to our Tribal historical and cultural resources. We have already met with the US Army Corps of Engineers, 106 group and are pursuing meeting options with the mine owners, Michigan DEQ and other Tribes in the area. • November 3-4, 2015 – I attended the Wisconsin Tribal Transportation Conference. During this event, the Tribe’s Community Development Department was awarded as a 2015 Tribal Excellence Award Recipient. This award is presented to those who have made exemplary contributions and service to building and enhancing partnerships with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Wisconsin Tribal Communities. • November 18, 2015 – Attended a MTL/Menominee County Board/MISD School Board joint meeting to hear updates regarding our Fostering Futures initiative and formally accept the Robert Wood Johnson Culture of Health Prize. The Tribe, led by our Menominee Tribal Clinic and Tribal Administration, as well as the MISD, was selected from approximately 350 communities nationwide. Menominee County was also included in the Award, as they also coordinate with the Tribe, Clinic, and MISD. We need to emphasize the strength of collaborating, using what they call the “strength-based” approach of concentrating on what works (in this case coordinating with each other) because we see it shows results, compared with operating separately in silos and not sharing resources or data. Congratulations also to all our tribal programs outside of those mentioned, you are too numerous to mention. • November 23, 2015 - The Tribe has also initiated negotiations with the Wisconsin Department of Administration concerning provisions within our Tribal Gaming Compact. As this unfolds and agreements are reached, I will keep you abreast of the outcome. We are working toward provisions that are in the best interest of the Tribe, its economy, and future growth. I would like to take some time to also congratulate our very own Tribal Legislator, Crystal Chapman-Chevalier for her accomplishments and leadership. On November 18, 2015, Legislator Chapman-Chevalier was announced as a recipient of the 2015 class of Native American 40 under 40 award. This award is given by the National Center for American Enterprise Development to individuals who have demonstrated leadership, initiative, and dedication and made significant contributions in business and their community. Nahaw weskewat! In closing, I wish you all safe and happy holiday season. We have much to be thankful during this time of year. While we haven’t yet had much snow or cold weather, we known this is coming soon. Please take extra time to reach your destinations, watch the weather and most importantly check on those who may be experiencing difficult times. As the holidays are fast approaching, please remember our children, elders, disabled and our veterans in your thoughts and prayers. Eneq, Gary Besaw, Menominee Tribal Chairman

Gary Besaw

  

Date: 12/2/2015