Tribe donates $20,000 to Red Cross

Scott Csernyik

9/27/2001 12:00:00 AM

Saginaw Chippewa Public Relations Director Frank Cloutier presents a $20,000 check Sept. 17 on behalf of the Tribe to Deb Birkham, executive director of the Central Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross. Also pictured is Stan Shingles, board chairman for the local chapter. Observer photo/Trish Jackson

The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan recently donated $20,000 to the American Red Cross in response to the recent terrorist attacks on American soil.

"The donation is from the hearts of the Tribe and the membership," stated Cloutier. "The Tribe is [also] giving 10 PC workstations and two fax machines to the Red Cross. Also, the people who supply us with copiers are donating a copier to the Tribe, which we, in turn, are donating to the Red Cross, in addition to the $20,000."

The donation is not a corporate sponsorship or part of the 2 percent disbursement process.

On a spiritual level, the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe's Seventh Generation Program and Women's Circle conducted a Sacred Fire on Sept. 13 and 14 at the Elijah Elk Cultural Center.

Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Neal A. McCaleb recently praised Indian Country's outstanding generosity as the nation rebounded from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and families of innocent people lost or injured by this act of enormous horror," McCaleb stated in a Sept. 14 press release. "An attack on America is an attack on Indian Country. I am gratified, but hardly surprised, that so many Tribes have quickly offered support to the victims and their loved ones."