Aanii fellow Tribal members and interested readers:

Chief Maynard Kahgegab

11/5/2003 12:00:00 AM

Tribal elections are right around the corner and your participation is important. We are scheduled for a federally mandated constitutional election on Sept. 30 that could significantly change the way our government operates. Get the facts on registration deadlines and requirements and know what you are voting for. In addition, we will have a primary election for Tribal Council in October and a general election in November. This will be a very busy election season that allows eligible voters to cast ballots and keep our great nation moving forward.

The 19th Annual Little Elk's Retreat Powwow was a huge success. Thousands of visitors, some from overseas, shared in a weekend of cultural enrichment and heritage. Many families reunited to celebrate and exchange greetings. On behalf of the Tribal Council, I give thanks to all participants and visitors. On another successful note, Tribal Council hosted a community meeting on Aug. 3, where hundreds of Tribal members listened to updates on various program initiatives that will better our Tribal membership.

For example, construction of the new Residential Treatment and Domestic Violence Center will begin soon, while numerous programming plans such as water and sewer extensions and Tribal road improvements are moving along successfully. Of particular note is that our higher education program initiatives have resulted in the U.S. Senate passing legislation that would provide land-grant status to our Tribal College. Once enacted into law, our higher education programs will be greatly improved by allowing eligible students to participate in college loan programs and federal education grants. The Tribal College will also be eligible, once the bill is enacted into law, for federal funding that will greatly assist with operation costs and thus allow us to retain resources for our Tribal member programs.

To date, Tribal Council has successfully advocated for the following program initiatives:

-Residential Treatment and Domestic Violence Center;

-School construction funding for facilities for our children;

-County road improvements and new traffic signal to increase safety for Tribal members, employees, visitors and area residents;

-Additional benefits to Tribal members to assist them in purchasing new homes and improving their standard of living;

-Better health care coverage for all Tribal members;

-Protection of Tribal member sovereignty; and

-Strong government-to-government relations with the federal government.

This is just the beginning. More programming plans are underway that will improve our community infrastructure and increase the standard of living for every Tribal member. Tribal member support has been overwhelming for the new ideas. Working together as a team, our great nation will enjoy a new beginning and prosperous future for our government. Tribal member participation is important in developing a strong and successful community infrastructure.

To learn more about our government and activities, please visit our government web page at www.sagchip.org.

Miigwetch,

Chief Maynard Kahgegab, Jr.