Community meeting for all districts planned June 12

Scott Csernyik

5/15/2002 12:00:00 AM

Tribal leaders will update the Saginaw Chippewa membership on a variety of topics-including the recent increase in per capita-at the upcoming June 12 community meeting.

Adult members from all three districts are invited to attend the 6 p.m. meeting, which will include dinner, in the Saginaw Chippewa Ballroom at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort.

The membership was notified of the per capita increase in a May 15 letter about the upcoming community meeting.

"We are thrilled to announce a raise in per caps! Beginning May 20, Tribal members will receive $1,500 each week, a $500 increase," stated Chief Maynard Kahgegab Jr. in the letter. "This is the first per cap increase since Jan. 1, 2001. The Tribal Council approved this raise because of the outstanding increase in gaming revenue that has occurred since then."

A recent trip made by a Tribal delegation to the U.S. Capitol will also be discussed at the meeting.

"In April, a small group of us traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with key legislators as part of our efforts to create a stronger presence in the nation's capitol," he also stated. "Raising our profile creates more opportunities for us to educate and impress upon these decision-makers the program needs of our Tribal community while at the same time teach them about the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe's history, culture and significant positive impact we have on the economy."

The trip included meeting President George W. Bush, U.S. House Majority Whip Tom Delay, U.S. Senator Christopher Bond, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan and U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York. In addition, Tribal officials met with U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez, Deputy Secretary Alfonso Jackson and Assistant Secretary Michael Liu.

"Forming relationships like these is just one step toward fulfilling our promise to build a strong Tribal community infrastructure that includes new programs for the Tribe's children and Elders while at the same time enhancing the social and economic quality-of-life for all Tribal members," Kahgegab also stated.

The membership is also being encouraged to log onto the Tribe's website at www.sagchip.org for additional information on the recent trip to the U.S. Capitol.