Community meeting planned for May 7

Observer Staff

7/5/2005 12:00:00 AM

A community meeting concerning enrollment will be conducted by Saginaw Chippewa Tribal leaders on May 7 in the Soaring Eagle Entertainment Hall.

The meeting-tentatively scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., will include a meal at noon. Along with distributing an updated copy of Ordinance No. 14, Public Relations Director Joseph Sowmick said there will be presentations concerning the history of enrollment and related topics.

"A lot of Tribal administrations have had the challenge of dealing with enrollment," he explained. "We plan a visual approach in discussing the legal parameters for membership. Because Ordinance No. 14 has been amended so many times, we felt it was imperative to make sure the membership is provided an updated copy."

He also encouraged Tribal members with questions about enrollment to send them in advance to the Public Relations office so they can be addressed.

As of April 12, there are 3,133 Saginaw Chippewa Tribal members-with 805 being age 17 and under.

Sowmick said Tribal Council remains committed to addressing enrollment concerns and has tentatively set an Aug. 7 date for the next regular community meeting.