PRESIDENT NIXON, SPECIAL MESSAGE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS JULY 8, 1970

The new direction of Indian policy which aimed at Indian self-determination was set forth by Republican President Richard Nixon in a special message to Congress in July 1970. Nixon condemned forced termination and proposed recommendations for specific action. His introduction and conclusion are printed here.

To the Congress of the United States:

The first Americans - the Indians - are the most deprived and most isolated minority group in our nation. On virtually very scale of measurement ­employment, income, education, health - the condition of the Indian people ranks at the bottom.

This condition is the heritage of centuries of injustice. From the time of their first contact with European settlers, the American Indians have been oppressed and brutalized, deprived of their ancestral lands and denied the opportunity to control their own destiny. Even the Federal programs which are intended to meet their needs have frequently proved to be ineffective and demeaning.

But the story of the Indian in America is something more than the record of the white man’s frequent aggression, broken agreements, intermittent remorse and prolonged failure. It is a record also of endurance, of survival, of adaptation and creativity in the face of overwhelming obstacles. It is a record of enormous contributions to this country – to its art and culture, to its strength and spirit, to its sense of history and its sense of purpose.

It is long past time that the Indian policies of the Federal government began to recognize and build upon the capacities and insights of the Indian people. Both as a matter of justice and as a matter of enlightened social policy, we must begin to act on the basis of what the Indians themselves have long been telling us. The time has come to break decisively with the past and to create the conditions for a new era in which the Indian future is determined by Indian acts and Indian decisions.


Download Complete Message here:

Sault Tribe’s Fall 2 Percent Contributions

Sault Tribe’s Fall 2 Percent Contributions
Provide More Than $1 Million To Upper Peninsula Communities.


Last Updated on Thursday, 15 December 2011


2% total for 2011 exceeds $1.5 million
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - Upper Peninsula police and fire agencies, local libraries, public schools, indoor and outdoor recreation areas and programs, and public universities are among the recipients of $1,009,890 in fall “2 percent” donations from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

In total this year, the tribe awarded $1,551,534 in 2 percent contributions to worthy recipients across the eastern U.P. The fall 2 percent donations will benefit communities and citizens in seven U.P. counties.

“The 2 percent money we give to our communities help so many people - from providing money to help law enforcement and other first responders, computers for schools, after school programs, city upgrades - it’s just great to see,” said Sault Tribe Chairman Joe Eitrem.

Since 1993, the Sault Tribe has disbursed 2 percent payments twice annually to U.P. communities and organizations. Funds are distributed to communities extending from St. Ignace to Manistique, to Marquette to Sault Ste. Marie. To date more than $32 million has been awarded by the tribe based on 2 percent of slot revenues from the tribe’s Kewadin Casino properties in Sault Ste. Marie, St. Ignace, Hessel, Manistique and Christmas.


Top recipients of the fall 2 percent funds include:
$33,941 for the Soo I-500 Project,
$15,000 for the Soo Township Elementary School Build a Dream program,
$13,941 to upgrade the Water System Tank in Mathias Township,
$10,915 for an Interactive Classroom program in the Big Bay De Noc School District.
 Funds were also used for the Aging for Outreach & ALTRAN programs in Munising, U.P. Children’s Museum in Marquette, a Culture Enhancement Program in Gladstone Area Schools, and the Chippewa County spay and neuter program.

For more information on how to apply for 2 percent funds, Please contact Candace Blocher at (906) 635-6050.

Fall selections for 2 percent funds were distributed to:

• Sault Tribe Unit I -
Chippewa County, Spay and Neuter Program, $10,000;
City of Sault Ste. Marie, I-500 Project, $33,941;
Sugar Island Township, Emergency Shelter, $7,500;
Soo Township Elementary School, Building a Dream, $ 15,000;
Sault Ste. Marie Area Public Schools Girls on the Run,  $1,500;
Kinross Charter Township, After School Activities & Christmas Party, $7,000.

• Sault Tribe Unit II -
McMillan Township, Community Center, $5,000;
McMillan Township, Newberry CLM Community Action, $12,000;
Pickford Public Schools, $7,441;
Garfield Township, $ 5,000;
Trout Lake Township, $10,500; Pickford Township, $5,000;
Hendricks Township, $3,000;
Hendricks Township, $4,000;
Engadine Schools, $7,500;
Mackinac County, $10,000;
Detour Schools, $5,500.

• Sault Tribe Unit III -
St. Ignace Township, $5,000;
Moran Township School District, $991.20;
La Salle High School $5,126;
Brevort Township, $4,597;
Brevort Township, $1,000;
City of St. Ignace $49,229.80;



• Sault Tribe Unit IV -
Schoolcraft County DHS, Christmas Baskets $4,000;
Rapid River Public Schools Betterment of our Youth, $ 4,217;
Nah Tah Wahsh, Willow Creek, $31,309;
Manistique Area Schools, Title VII, $2,000;
Manistique Area Schools, Open Swim, $2,000;
Ishpeming School Dist. No. 1, Title VII, $5,000;
Gladstone Area Schools Culture Enhancement Program, $3,000;
Escanaba Area Schools, Title VII,  $3,500;
Big Bay De Noc School District, CUP Baseball Program $1,500.

• Sault Tribe Unit V -
Marquette Area Schools, Title VII, $10,000;
Munising Memorial Hospital Mammography Equipment, $5,000;
Township of Munising Tennis Facility, $5,000;
Mathias Township, Water System Tank Upgrade, $13,941;
Munising Public Schools, Education/Academics Assistance for Youth, $12,000.

Annual long-term commitments include:
• Unit I -
Chippewa County, Gen Government Services, $16,000;
Chippewa County, Foster Care, $4,500;
Chippewa County Sheriff, Lodging/Law Enforcement, $25,000;
City of Sault Ste. Marie, Gen Government Services, $191,271;
Consolidated Schools, GED, $86,372;
Kinross Charter Township, Law Enforcement, $21,500;
Lake Superior State University, Gem of the North, $52,275;
Sault Area Public Schools Title VII, $25,316;
Sault Area Public Schools, PILT, $18,000.


• Sault Tribe Unit II -
Hulbert Township, Snowmobile Grooming, $5,000.

• Sault Tribe Unit III -
City of St. Ignace, Mackinaw Straits Dialysis, $30,000;
City of St. Ignace, Straits Area Grooming, $5,000;
City of St. Ignace, Lodging/Law Enforcement $3,500;
City of St. Ignace, Road Improvements $6,500;
City of St. Ignace, Fitness Center, $18,500;
Clark Township, Gen Government Services, $5,000;
Clark Township, Les Chen Grooming, $5,000;
Mackinac County Probate Center Foster, $10,500;
Mackinac County Sheriff, Lodging/Law Enforcement, $11,250;
St. Ignace Township, Gen Government Services, $13,000;
St. Ignace Area Schools, Student Advocate, $10,000.

• Sault Tribe Unit IV -
Bay De Noc Community College, YMCA, $8,000;
City of Escanaba, Lodging/Law Enforcement, $6,000;
Delta County Sheriff, Lodging/Law Enforcement, $8,000;
City of Manistique, Lodging/Law Enforcement, $2,500;
Manistique Township, Gen Government Services, $5,000;
Schoolcraft County, Snowmobile Grooming, $5,000,
Schoolcraft County Sheriff, Lodging/Law Enforcement, $9,600.

• Unit V -
Alger County Sheriff's Dept., Lodging/Law Enforcement, $9,600;
Autrain Township, Gen Government Services, $3,500;
Marquette County Sheriff, Lodging/Law Enforcement, $6,000;
Munising Township, Gen Government Services, $3,500;
Munising Township, Snowmobile Grooming, $5,000

NO DEAL, NO SETTLEMENT

Once again the members have spoken....NO DEAL, NO SETTLEMENT for Bernard Bouschor. Deb Pine, daughter of Jolene Nertoli and relative of Bouschor's was not allowed to vote because of the obvious conflict of interest. Denise Chase made the motion but the remaining details regarding who voted pro-tribal members or pro-Bouschor is unavailable at this time.

FRED PAQUIN

With the recent announcement of a guilty plea by Fred Paquin to ripping off the federal government and the Sault Tribe members as well as the release of details of his plea agreement, some are concerned that Paquin will get a slap on the hands, a free ride past 'Go', a 'Stay Out of Jail' card and the option of having his criminal record expunged in the future.

It's a federal crime...he pled guilty to a felony...expunged isn't going to happen. No judge (with the exception of a judge appointed by crooks) would expunge the record of a former police chief for federal crimes. A lot of good 'expunged' would do when Paquin's crimes have been all over the news. Fast Freddie will do some prison time, fines and restitution will need to be paid. His reputation isn't worth a pound of dirt. He won't be able to show his face ever again since he will be tossing out the names of his former friends and associates as perpetrators of crimes like trick or treat candy in order to keep his daughter out of prison and himself serving less than he would otherwise. Prison...a year or more...doesn't matter because he is done, ruined, as he should be and just as he has done to others.

The feds were listening, they built their case and thanks to that slime ball Fred, there will be more arrests to come. Knowing that the tribal embezzlers, who have stolen money that belonged to all of us-that was meant for education, healthcare and jobs for tribal members, might be lining up for their day in court and will be ruined just as Fred is now, makes me pretty darned happy. Justice, regardless of jail time, has been done-will be done. They will be ruined just as they have done to many innocent tribal members and former employees.

The feds have their eyes on those in this tribe who stole federal funds so if anyone has anything to say, the time is now. Do something great for your fellow tribal citizens and point the feds in the right direction. Several, past and present, who serve on the committee of the Mackinac Bands have knowledge of and access to numerous documents that support past allegations of misuse of federal funds...approximately $800,000 in ANA grants not to mention those under the Department of Health and Human Services has a familiar ring to it...a reminder to the feds may be in order.

Sault Tribe Board about to Drop $2,660,000 Case?

Greetings!
On Tuesday - May 18, 2010 the Sault Tribe Board will hold a secret closed door meeting to discuss settling with Bouschor letting him off the hook for the $2,600,000 he stole from each and every member of our Tribe. Where's the meeting? At the Ojibway hotel in the Sault. Was this done to limit the number of Members who can attend? Why is there a settlement conference happening at all? This already happened in 2007. We have all but won the case with positive legal rulings at the lower court, appellate court, and MI Supreme Court levels. With how close we are to winning, only a corrupt Board can mess it up now.

With a legal opinion obtained by the Tribe that proves that Bouschor was not eligible to run in 2008, the Board is unwilling to do anything about it. They argue that they are listening to the voters. Well what about the 74% across all voting units who said no to Bouschor. The Tribal Constitution stipulates that referendums are final and binding. What part of that doesn't the Board understand?

In the 2010 Tribal elections there are several candidates who are working directly with Bouschor to increase the number of Board members who will vote to throw out the $2.66 million litigation. Those candidates are commonly believe to be:

Denny McKelvie -DJ Hoffman -Debbie Pine -Lisa Burnside -Shirley Petoskey


Can you really risk voting for any of the above and have them vote to erase Bouschor's $2.66 liability? Can we afford to find out? Debbie Pine is Jolene Nertoli's daughter. Remember - Jolene stole $455,000 from every man, woman, child, and elder of this Tribe. Her ancestors would be ashamed! Did Debbie shelter this money by laundering it into her husband's animal clinic or bar in Brimely. Debbie claims to be holier than thou but serves alcohol to Tribal members she calls drunks!

Call a Tribal Board Member to insist they stand our ground! Protect our future. Draw the line in the sand. If the thieves who stole your money are let off the hook, what's to stop someone else from doing the same. Let's send a clear message and hold accountable those who would steal from their own people.


Board Cell # Home #
Unit 1------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dennis 440-3932 632-7267
Cathy 440-7613 635-3054
Joe 440-5728 632-8567
DJ Hoffman 322-3801
Unit 2------------------------------------------------------------
Lana 440-5726 484-2954
Bob L. 440-7741 493-5311
Unit 3------------------------------------------------------------
Keith Massaway 643-6981
Pat Rickley ?
Unit 4------------------------------------------------------------
Denise Chase 440-7647 341-6783
Tom Miller 440-5737 644-2527
Unit 5------------------------------------------------------------
Shirley Petoskey 322-3803 387-2101

Aaron A. Payment, MPA
Fellow Tribal Member

Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians

Recall signatures turned in:

Posted: Monday, February 22, 2010, 8:37 am
By Christina Rohn News-Review Staff Writer

Tribal elders await validation of recall petition to have an election to oust current chairman and vice chairman

For the past four months, several members of the have been circulating a petition to recall their recently elected tribal chairman and vice chairman.

At 6 p.m., on Friday, Feb. 19, the group turned in its signatures to the tribal election committee — 171 each for both chairman Ken Harrington and vice chairman Dexter McNamara — which is the required 20 percent of 856 voters who voted in the last general election.

The election committee is now tasked to either certify the validity of the recall petition and its signatures, or return it to the submitting party with a written explanation of the deficit within 10 business days.

If the petition is deemed valid, the election board is required to schedule a recall election within 90 days.

Read Petoskey News Here

Mackinac Bands of Chippewa and Ottawa Indians submitted their constitution.

On February 5th 2010 the Mackinac Bands of Chippewa and Ottawa Indians submitted their constitution for federal recognition-reaffirmation to the federal government. This is the first time in history that this has been achieved. We are meeting on February 11th with Brandon Fewins, an aide to Debbie Stabenow's office to start the process rolling. We want to take our rightful place along side of the other twelve federally recognized tribes in Michigan.

Cheboygan news: 02 / 12 / 2010

Michigan Supreme Court Rules

Media Release for Immediate Release
January 29, 2010
MI Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Plaintiff – Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
In case of Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians v. Bernard Bouschor; and Miller Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C.; Daniel T. Green; Paul W. Shagen; Joseph M. Paczkowski; David E. Scott; Jolene M. Nertoli; James M. Jannetta; Daniel J. Weaver, jointly and severally C/A CASE NO.: 276712 – L/C CASE NO.: 04-7606-CC

Lansing, MI – Today, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians in the so-called 7+1+1 case which was originally filed in Chippewa County (50th Circuit Court) but presented to Judge Charles Johnson, 57th Circuit Court, in Emmet County as visiting judge when Judge Lambros recused himself. At the lower court level, Judge Johnson ruled back in 2007, that the defendants were not terminated, that Bouschor did not have the authority to grant severances (in the amount exceeding $2.66 million), and that contrary to Bouschor’s claim, Bouschor did not hold ‘executive immunity’ a status typically held for State Governors or the President of the United States. This latter filing by Bouschor is what qualified the defendants for an automatic appeal in the Michigan Court of Appeals and has delayed the case since the initially filing in 2004. At that level, the MI Court of Appeals threw out the legal malpractice and conspiracy claim. The MI Supreme Court’s ruling today reinstates the Sault Tribe’s complaint with regard to malpractice and may qualify the Sault Tribe for injunctive relief to recover not only the amount Bouschor and defendants conspired to take on election night of 2004, but also ‘treble damages’ which is up to three times the amount. Given the Tribe filed jointly and severally, once a final judgment is granted (possibly via a summary disposition given there now appear to be no facts in dispute) there may not even be a need to go to trial at the district court level. Judge Johnson could, instead, rule in the Tribe’s favor and award damages and legal fees. In the Supreme Court’s ruling, the justices ruled that Bernard Bouschor did not have executive immunity and as such, reinforced Judge Johnson’s earlier ruling that Bouschor is individually liable in this case. If Judge Johnson does not grant a summary disposition judgment, the case will go to trial in the 50th Circuit Court with Judge Johnson presiding as visiting judge. In a prepared statement, former Chairperson Aaron Payment said,
“With all of the legal wrangling by Bouschor and the defendants over the last 5 ½ years, it is no wonder tribal members are dispirited. The rulings by the MI Supreme Court and the prosecution of Paquin give tribal members hope that the rule of law will prevail and justice will be served. Those who would steal from their own people, need to be held accountable. Maybe 2010 will be the year of tribal justice.

DOWNLOAD SUPREME COURT RULING HERE

Plan for Greektown bankruptcy approved.

Jaclyn Trop / The Detroit News
Judge OKs move that ends tribe as casino owners

A plan approved Friday to lead Greektown Casino out of bankruptcy protection will repay most creditors and strip ownership from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

Judge Walter Shapero of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Detroit confirmed the plan, pending state and city approvals on other issues that must be obtained by June 30. The plan, the third proposal since Greektown filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May 2008, was approved by creditors last week.

"Greektown Casino is now approaching the finish line for its exit from bankruptcy," said Charles Moore, the casino's lead restructuring adviser with Conway MacKenzie Inc. in Birmingham.


From The Detroit News:

The United States Attorney's Office

FORMER CHIEF OF POLICE FOR SAULT TRIBE OF CHIPPEWA INDIANS
CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD THE UNITED STATES

Download File here

Paquins Bond Conditions and Order

Paquin has a "$5000 unsecured bond (attached here), must surrender his passport, no contact with witnesses, no travel, cannot possess a firearm and must reside in the Upper Peninsula at all times, but for visits to his legal counsel in Cheboygan."

Fred Paquin Indictment

BREAKING NEWS

Former Sault Tribe Chief of Police Fred Paquin arrested on 12 federal criminal indictments. Source report that both Paquin and his daughter Mary Cullen were arrested yesterday in St. Ignace and transported to U.S. District Court in Marquette for process and possibly held without bond. The actual indictment document is attached.

This news comes on the heels of the announcement by the City of St. Ignace who received hired Fred Paquin as their Chief of Police despite being under federal criminal investigation which resulted in the 12 indictments and since it was clearly known by St. Ignace that Paquin was named as a co-conspiritor in a federal indictment handed down on 12-23-09 for which Paquin's former secretary acknowledge both her role and Paquin's role in committing these crimes.

Former Sault Tribe Chairperson Aaron Payment stated, “Justice dictates that anyone who conspired to commit or allow criminal activity, be investigated and brought to justice. That includes Tribal Board members and Tribal administrators if necessary. No one should be immune.”

While the Tribe’s government should have been vigilant in protecting the Tribe’s assets, several Council members acted to shield Paquin from discipline including overturning his termination in October 2007 and by returning Paquin from employment suspension during the federal criminal probe days before he allegedly attempted to destroy evidence”, Payment added.

Payment concluded, “under the Sault Tribe’s current structure of government, no separation of powers exists to effectively hold individuals of such crimes responsible. A separation of powers, with a separate judicial branch and an elected inspector general are desperately needed. Paquin’s impending indictments clearly demonstrate this.


Fred Paquin Indictment
Download 47 page pdf here.

Grand Traverse Band authorizes 'extensive' budget cuts

Council says reductions are needed to balance spending.

BY LINDSAY VANHULLE
lvanhulle@record-eagle.com
Published: September 25, 2009 07:35 am

PESHAWBESTOWN -- Leaders of a local American Indian tribe authorized "extensive budget cuts" to balance spending for the upcoming fiscal year, but would not discuss reduction specifics.
The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians' Tribal Council members accepted salary cuts and some government programs have been rolled back to accommodate a budget shortfall, tribal Chairman Derek Bailey said.

The council sent a letter to all tribal members, dated Sept. 18, and said cuts were needed "to control deficit spending and to safeguard assets for our present membership and future membership."

The 2010 fiscal year begins Oct. 1. The band operated with a roughly $3.9 million deficit this year, according to the letter. The shortfall amount for next year is unclear.
Even though the band is sovereign, "we're not immune to the state and federal government woes," Bailey said, citing a decline in gaming revenues as the motivation for cuts. "If you look at the United States, all the other leisure and consumer-based enterprises (have struggled)."
Tribal law required council members to take 10 percent and 20 percent pay cuts, the letter states, but it is unclear which members took which cuts and when.

Bailey was in Lansing on Thursday and could not be reached for additional comment.
He deferred comment on council salary cuts and gaming revenues to two other tribal members, neither of whom responded to calls from the Record-Eagle.

The Tribal Government Reduction and Reorganization Act, as the upcoming cutbacks are known, was approved in late August after a recommendation from a committee comprised of the tribe's manager, human resources director and chief financial officer.

Eligibility criteria for some government services has been made more stringent, particularly for human services, education and health services, tribal manager Jane Rohl said.
She did not elaborate on how that will contribute to reducing a deficit and said the full Tribal Council would need to approve the release of budget figures.

"We still provide the same services we did before," Rohl said. "We're anticipating it's not going to affect people in need of the services, but we're not going to have any verification of that until we get into the next fiscal year."

About $1 million was cut from the roughly $11 million budget this fiscal year, according to a band newsletter from March 2009 posted online.

The council this year voted to suspend its practice of matching employees' 401(k) contributions, saving $65,158, the newsletter stated.

Story here

Bush on Sovereign Immunity

Court hears pitch to save Greektown Casino

Thursday, August 6, 2009
Nathan Hurst / The Detroit News


Detroit -- Lawyers for prominent businessman Tom Celani made their first official pitch to take Greektown Casino out of bankruptcy Wednesday, marking his third attempt at taking a piece of the casino.

At a bankruptcy court hearing, lawyers tossed arguments for and against the plan announced last week by Celani of Bloomfield Hills, whose Luna Entertainment firm is based in Novi.

A one-time investor in MotorCity Casino who sold out his stake to Detroit business maven Marian Ilitch in 2005, Celani told The Detroit News last week that he's partnered with Connecticut-based hedge fund Plainfield Asset Management to quietly acquire a $10 million stake in Greektown's pre-bankruptcy debt, a move the partnership says allows them to intervene in the court proceedings to file a plan to exit Chapter 11.

The casino's current owners, the Sault Tribe of Chippewa, sunk the casino in Chapter 11 in May 2008 to ward off threats from the state's gaming regulatory board to force a sale of the property. It had fallen out of compliance with state-mandated debt covenants and secure bankruptcy loans to pay for the final construction of Greektown's permanent casino and hotel complex.

The only other plan before bankruptcy Judge Walter Shapero, which would have to be approved by a number of parties involved in the case and the Michigan Gaming Control Board, would give the casino to a group of secured creditors represented by banking giant Merrill Lynch. Lawyers for the Celani/Plainfield partnership said their plan would use bankruptcy exit financing to pay off secured creditors who put up money for casino's expansion and hotel construction, while offering cash or equity in Greektown to other creditors.

In what was viewed as a victory for Celani, Shapero ordered the businessman to present his detailed plan to the bankruptcy court by Tuesday.

The Sault Tribe would receive nothing in either plan currently before the court.

News link

Tom Celani - Luna Entertainment

1:42 p.m., Jul. 29, 2009

Casino investor Celani to file plan to buy Greektown Casino
By Daniel Duggan

Novi-based casino investor Tom Celani said he plans to file court documents Thursday to make a play for ownership of the Greektown Casino Hotel.
Celani, a former investor in the MotorCity Casino, has been public about his intentions to own a controlling stake in Greektown.

“This is something I’m very passionate about, and I believe, very strongly, that you need to have local ownership in that property,” said Celani, CEO of Novi-based Luna Entertainment .
During an interview, he said he plans to file an alternate plan of reorganization for Greektown as part of its bankruptcy restructuring process. Under that plan, he will eventually have a controlling ownership stake in the property.

Celani said that he is able to file the plan because he has been acquiring debt from Greektown investors recently, but declined to say how much of a stake he now has.

“I’ll say this: I have enough debt that I can file my own plan of reorganization,” he said.

The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians is the last owner of the casino.
“The worst thing that can happen is that Greektown will be owned by a group of bankers,” Celani said. “Right now, I want the banks and the court to look at how to bring this property out of bankruptcy. Either the banks need to be licensed owners, or they need a partner or they need to sell it.

“My end goal is to be able to acquire it from the lenders.”

Read full article

Luna Entertainment / Charlotte Beach

Related articles

Plan has secured creditors taking over Greektown Casino-Hotel

In the next 30 days, it’s possible a new ownership group will control the Greektown Casino-Hotel.

But the identity of that group will remain undisclosed for the time being.

On June 1, attorneys involved with the Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings for the casino filed a plan for reorganization in U.S. District Court.

Under terms of the plan, ownership will go to the group of secured creditors, those who have loans backed by liens against the casino’s property, said Charles Moore, senior managing director at Birmingham-based turnaround firm Conway, MacKenzie & Dunleavy, the casino’s lead restructuring adviser.

New York-based Merrill Lynch is the agent for the group of secured creditors, Moore said, but the actual investors or companies in that pool have not yet been disclosed in court filings.

The next step is a July court hearing, which will begin the process of getting votes from creditors for an approval of the reorganization plan, Moore said. At least one class of impaired creditors must approve the plan.

If that is successful, the ownership change must be approved by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.

“If the owners are not approved by the gaming board, then the plan is vacated and we’re back to the drawing board,” Moore said.

The board performs in-depth background checks on people who have any ownership interest in a casino. The ownership will need to be approved by the board, which holds open meetings, so the identity of the secured creditors will likely be made public at that time.

Other options for the casino are still available, however.

A request for bids from investors was issued as part of the bankruptcy process, though the bids were considered too low and were less than the $500 million in secured debt, Moore said.

The total debt on the operation is close to $790 million.

If a higher bid is made, it will still be considered, Moore said.

Another possibility is that one of the previous bidders could decide to team up with the secured creditors in a joint venture, he said.

By Daniel Duggan
5:45 p.m., Jun. 5, 2009
Crains Detroit Business Article

McCoy Violates Election Laws?

Upper Peninsula - casinos report a profitable year

Kewadin gambling halls post a 2.5% increase in profits, netting $31.28M.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Nathan Hurst / The Detroit News

Even though its Greektown Casino fell into bankruptcy, 2008 proved a bumper year for the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa's five casinos in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, tribe officials announced Monday.

The 2.5 percent increase in profit compared with 2007 brought in $31.28 million for the tribe, and came as the Sault's Kewadin Casinos arm, which operates the U.P. gambling halls, went through a year of cost-cutting.

"In a state and national recession and at a time when revenues and profits are down significantly in gaming markets across the nation, we are proud to report relatively strong performances at our five Kewadin Casinos in Northern Michigan," said Joe McCoy, chairman of the Sault Tribe, in a statement.

The increases there contrast with the performance at Greektown, the Tribe's largest casino holding, which ended 2008 with revenues down 7.33 percent from 2007. All told, the casino took in $316.3 million in 2008

Full story

Millions vanish with developer Anthony Defeo

Investors sue, feds get involved as St. Clair County casino plan tanks

BY CHRISTY ARBOSCELLO • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER - February 9, 2009

Anthony Defeo was a charismatic businessman and a developer with a vision, offering investors an opportunity for the chance of a lifetime
But that dream deal quickly soured for financers who say the $600-million project presented by the entrepreneur proved too good to be true.
Defeo, who claimed riches from other financial undertakings, convinced them he had the inside track on a casino project with the federal government and an American Indian tribe. The project, he boasted, had received the personal stamp of approval from none other than then-President George W. Bush.

He showed them paperwork, eased their fears with thorough answers and gingerly maintained relationships -- until he got at least $2 million from investors, according to more than 20 lawsuits in Macomb County Circuit Court.

Now, with his plans for the development of a casino and entertainment hub in St. Clair County at a standstill, investors don't know where Defeo -- or their money -- has gone.

And they're not the only ones interested in tracking down the 57-year-old New York native whose last known address was in Bloomfield Hills. Federal authorities also are trying to find him, the Free Press has learned.

"I think Mr. Defeo is very elusive. ... I can't substantiate unofficial reports that he's in different states throughout the country," said Warren-based lawyer Anthony Penna, who represents Defeo's landlord, Grillo Properties of Chesterfield Township.

The company said Defeo owes more than $500,000 in unpaid rent and improvements made to an office he leased on Dalcoma Drive in Clinton Township.

Investor Thomas Frank, 53, of Washington Township said he's out $100,000. He served as a project manager for the entertainment hub and casino.

Frank said Defeo gained the trust of influential businesspeople, doctors and lawyers for the five-year development by showing them contracts and meeting with them weekly at another one of his offices, at 19 Mile in Clinton Township, and other places, such as the Troy Marriott.

It wasn't until last summer that anyone doubted his ability to bring the project to life.
"We repeatedly called. We repeatedly left messages. We trusted him. He seemed like a nice guy," said Frank, who was hired for his 30 years of construction experience.

full story

ANTHONY DEFEO: Businessman got $2 million from investors, according to more than 20 lawsuits in Macomb County Circuit Court.

Related articles
Allegations against developer Anthony Defeo mounting -- 2/10/09
Millions vanish with developer Anthony Defeo -- 2/9/09
Michigan had to shut Defeo-run clinic -- 2/9/09

ATTENTION SAULT TRIBE MEMBERS!

IMMEDIATELY:
CONTACT THE MICHIGAN GAMING CONTROL BOARD
TO HALT BOUSCHOR'S MI GAMING LICENSE FROM BEING ISSUED.

While the 7+1+1 Case is winding its way through the MI Court system, the danger is that the Michigan Gaming Control Board could grant Bernard Bouschor a gaming license. They will do so in the absence of a judgment against him for violating his fidicuary duites as Tribal Chairperson in 2004 when he, under the cloak of secrecy, paid out 7 of his to political supporters over $3 million. This case is not dead as it is scheduled to go in front of the MI Supreme Court. Very likely, Bernard will be found responsible for what he did, and be ordered to pay back the entire amount. The tribe filed 'jointly and severably' so even if Bernard doesn't have $3 million, the other defendants and Miller Canfield may be ordered to pay up the money. Also, unlike Madoff, Bernard will be forced by the judge to repay through garnishments and by through seizing his assets.

However, the Michigan Gaming Control Board needs to hear from you about whether or not you feel Bernard Bouchor violated the public trust and breeched his fidiciary duties as an officer of the Sault Tribe. In order for Bouschor to gain a MI Gaming License, the MGCB have to agree that he has good business probibity, and that he has not engaged in any acts of theft or dishonesty. The manner in which Bouschor ordered the checks to be cut, then deleted this information off the system so the comptroller or the auditor would not catch this, is clearly and act of dishonest. Did you know that Mickey Bouschor's niece - Shelly (Krull) Shellby cut the checks? Mickey is Bernard's brother and married to Shelly's aunt.

Each and every one of you is urged to call the MGCB - State Police Investigative Unit in Detroit Michigan to express your opinion as a stateholder in the Tribe's largest asset, the Greektown Casino. Tell them that Bernard Bouschor violated his fidiciary responsibility and the court will rule on this. Insist that they deny him a temporary gaming license and ask them to wait until the case is resolved before taking further action.

Just Call: 313-456-4008

Or email by clicking on this link: MGCBweb@michigan.gov

The Fine Point Group Named Management Consultants at Greektown Casino

Event Date: 01/09/09
The following press release is being distributed today by our newest client, the Greektown Casino, in Detroit, Michigan. Rather than putting out a separate announcement, we decided just to forward theirs.

Wishing you the best of luck in 2009 -- RandyDETROIT - The Fine Point Group, a Las Vegas-based consulting firm led by casino industry veterans who have worked with more than 200 gaming properties across the world has been retained to provide comprehensive operations and marketing consulting at Greektown Casino, pending necessary approvals. Click here to read the full press release.

MI SUPREME COURT TO HEAR BOUSCHOR $3MILLION THEFT CASE OF SAULT TRIBE FUNDS - URGE BOARD TO ESCROW HIS $234,500 BOARD PAY

Though the case has taken over four years, and my entire administration as Chairperson (7/04 - 6/08) members should rest assured that the lawsuit to recover the nearly $3 million stolen by Bouschor and his top political supporters in 2004 is still in process.

Unfortunately, we do not control the scheduling of the Michigan court process. Bouschor has delayed the process by filing frivilous appeals that were dismissed in November by the Circuit Court of Appeals. He is delaying the process in hopes of building a coalition on the Tribal Board to vote to dismiss the lawsuit against himself. He has a conflict of interest here as he has a total of $3 million at stake personally. Don't forget, also pending is the lawsuit Bouschor filed against Greektown for $3.4 million!

In his appeal, Bouschor actually claimed to have had 'executive immunity' in his role as Chairperson. Funny thing is there is no such thing and when you are acting outside your scope of authority, you have no insulation from suit. Recall that the lower court judge rule that Bouschor did not have the authority to grant severances to the 7 who stole nearly $3 million and that he was individually liable. Also recall that the lower court judge ruled that the folks were not fired but had quit their jobs and were therefore not entitled to anything. With the Appellate Court rejecting Bouschor's claim to 'executive immunity' the court is establishing a line of personal liability for Bouschor. He could end up having to pay the entire $3 million back.

Just think of how far that $3million would go today with bringing the Elder checks back from the anticipated $200 to $600 to $1,600 when I was Chairman.

Please call, write or email your Board member to insist they escrow Bouschor's Board salary to at least recover the roughly $234,500 compensation left in Bouschor's Board salary through the end of his term. Think about it, the money our Tribe is paying him as a Board member ($67,000 a year X 4 years) is paying for his legal fees to defend himself against the our Tribe in the lawsuit to hold him accountable for the $3 million he stole from you.

The Tribal Board has a responsibility here, don't let them off the hook. Send them and email to tell them to write a resolution and vote for escrowing his pay:

Jmccoy@saulttribe.net

Unit 1 (Sault, Kincheloe, Sugar Island, Brimley)
cabramson@saulttribe.net
dwm@30below.com
josepheitrem@yahoo.com
djwhoffman@hotmail.com
Unit 2 (Hessel, Drummond Island, Detour, Newberry, Nabinway)
boblapoint@yahoo.com
lcausley@saulttribe.net
Unit 3 (St. Ignace, Mackinac Island)
kmassaway@msn.com
prickley@saulttribe.net
Unit 4 (Escanaba, Manistique, Cooks, Rapid River)
dchase@saulttribe.net
tgmiller@saulttribe.net
Unit 5 (Marquette, Munising)
shirleypetosky@yahoo.com

download pdf

Members kept in the dark!

Holiday greetings from Aaron Payment

Ahneen, Boozo:

What a difference a year makes. When I heard that the Tribal Christmas Card would not be sent to you this year, I just couldn’t believe it. Even though the Tribe is facing tough times due to the Greektown casino debt, there are some things that could and should continue. The cost of the Christmas greeting was minimal as I designed the card on my own time and only included the postage at .42 cents each. I am in complete disbelief that the Tribal Children’s Halloween and Christmas parties were also been abandoned. I am equally dismayed that the Elder Thanksgiving dinner was cancelled, as well as, the elder gift cards, birthday cards, and the Elder dividend to be reduced to between $200 and $600!

The new Chairman even asked you to endorse your check back to the Tribe!

His pay remains the same.

When I became Chair, I lowered the salary from $856,275 to $100,000. If you factor out Greektown, I lowered the salary from $240,000 to $100,000. Over four years, this was over a 1/2 million savings.

For over a decade, our recreation facility has been an 'alcohol and drug free' place for our tribal youth to congregate. In order to make room for a bar to be installed in the Big Bear, our Youth, Education and Activities program was evicted and moved to a delapitated run down old house that is not handicapped accessible. Prior to this, Kristi Little, the Tribe's Executive Director refused to let other programs occupy this building because of the condition. If it was too poor of a condition then, why would it be acceptable now? For nearly two decades, our Tribe has celebrated the coming of the New Year by holding a sobriety pow wow. This year, the Big Bear Bar will be open during the sobriety pow wow, presumably to draw customers from the sobriety pow wow as both are located in the Big Bear.


It seems our Tribe has lost its heart and soul. No one from the social services division or the cultural division are speaking out as they are afraid for their jobs. Over 150 people were fired in the weeks after the 2008 election after the new administration urged the Board to vote to suspend the few labor protections we had in place. They suspended the employment termination appeals procedures and the anti-retribution policy. Now, you can be fired for any reason - opening the door for the union to step in and provide the protections the Tribal government has taken away.

Probably most disheartening is that the government of the Tribe has completely abandoned any notion of improving our weak corporate charter constitution. Those Members who live ‘At Large’ have long waited for equal representation and a true balance of power with checks and balances and government accountability. Sadly, this dream has been halted as evidence in no dialog in our paper regarding representing you, no member meetings where you live, and no plan for your future in our Tribe.

Still, with hope and the guarantee that the movement of a people will continue, it is just a matter of time before unity of purpose replaces the current challenges we face. We have come too far to go backward. Please keep the faith. Below, I leave you with the preamble to our Tribal Constitution which intended you to benefit from your Membership in the Sault Tribe.

Download pdf

No action taken on salary-cut petition.

The Evening News -- Dec. 17, 2008

Sault Ste Marie--Petitioners finally received their answer more than a month after submitting a document requesting the Sault Tribe board of Directors to cut their annual salaries from $67,200 to $30,000 or allow tribal members to determine the board's salary.

"I have been asked to kindly inform you that the Board of Directors has determined to take no action on your petition," wrote tribal attorney Aaron Schlehuber, in a Dec. 10, letter to Sault Tribe member John Hatch, who submitted the petition.

Schlehuber advised Hatch that the petition "is not a petition requiring action pursuant to Tribal Code Chapter 12: Referendum Ordinance. But rather is best described as a request to the Board of Directors for one of two voluntary actions to be taken, a stipend reduction, or the letting of an advisory referendum.

Hatch and the 100 plus tribal members who signed the petition argue that the Sault Tribe is in dire financial shape. The Board has cut hundreds of member-jobs, reduced member services, cut the annual elder dividends and ended the tribe’s Children’s Christmas party. The Board has not included its own salary that amounts to more than $1 million a year.

“We’re a loosely knit organization that wants to see fair and balanced policies out of the tribal government,” said Hatch, calculating cutting board salaries would save about $300,000. This is a way to pump money back into the system.”

The petitioners will re-circulate the measure for the tribal ballot. “This time we are not asking the Board to do the right thing,” Hatch said. We will make this a legal matter using the Tribe’s Constitution.”

The tribal board just passed its 2009 governmental budget, triggering member rights to hold a referendum on board salaries. Another petition is planned this month.

Hatch contends it’s not the failing national economy that hurt the tribe’s pocketbook, but the board’s poor management of its tribal businesses and casinos. “We are paying for their incompetence,” Hatch said. It is time they put some skin in the game”

(For more information place email johnhatch1@charter.net)

Greektown, creditors sign bankruptcy pact

Nathan Hurst / The Detroit News

DETROIT -- Greektown Casino and a consortium of creditors have signed a pact that will effectively allow the casino to pave its own path out of Chapter 11 protections before February, court documents filed late Friday show.

Dubbed a "co-exclusivity" agreement, the motion approved by Judge Walter Shapero will allow only two parties to file bankruptcy exit plans to the court before Feb. 1: the casino itself and a consortium of six creditors which includes the city of Detroit and the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
Both parties have the right to refuse the other's plan, and in doing so would end the exclusivity.

Full pdf

Where'd The Sault Tribe Go?

The Sault Tribe website contains very little up to date information.

The meetings are no longer videotaped or televised.

It is understandable that they would not want to be televised so that the non-Indian community can no longer watch this disaster in action but with no current meeting minutes or resolutions on the website, tribal members are left in the dark about the state of their own tribe.

I am offering to video tape the meeting for free and post them on the web, on a different note I could also video conference the meeting with my web cam and my laptop so the members could tune in live to watch the meeting and you can do it all for free on the internet.

64 percent tribal members live outside the service area and they would like to know what is happening?

With so much secrecy, will the majority of the members suddenly find out some day that the Sault Tribe disappeared.

Check out the not so current Sault Tribe download section for yourself no more Meeting Minutes, Resolutions, workshops, Board Videos posted, Why?

From Feb 2005 --- Election Sept 9th 2008

$2.66 Million Gone.

7 + 1 + 1 Case makes front page of Evening News"

Sources say, that at the December 2, 2008 Tribal Board meeting, upon submission of a resolution drafted by certian board members they will will introduce the resolution to dismiss the lawsuit against Bernard."

Those expecting to dismiss the lawsuit include: Lana Causley, DJ Hoffman, Cathy Abramson, Shirley Petoskey, Keith Massaway, Bernard Bouschor, and possibly Joe Eitrem.
If either Bernard or Joe do not vote or vote against the measure, it will result in a tie at which time, Joe McCoy, like Lana Causley has suggested the case is a waste of money.

Note that Joe McCoy is part of a family voting block with Cathy (McCoy) Abramson, and DJ Hoffman (whose mother was a McCoy and Cathy's sister).The loss? $2.66 million and granted permission that to steal from your own people is acceptable for elected tribal officials.

We also have a video that suggest opinions from the Sault board about whether or not to continue with the case, I will post that soon.

STATE OF MICHIGAN COURT OF APPEALS

November 18, 2008

SAULT STE. MARIE TRIBE OF CHIPPEWA
VS
BERNARD BOUSCHOR

and DANIEL T. GREEN, DAVID E. SCOTT, JAMES M. JANNETTA,
and DANIEL J. WEAVER,
and PAUL W. SHAGEN, JOSEPH M. PACZKOWSKI, JOLENE M. NERTOLI,
and MILLER CANFIELD, PADDOCK & STONE, P.L.C.,PER CURIAM.

Defendant Bernard Bouschor appeals as of right the trial court order denying his motion for summary disposition based on governmental immunity, MCR 2.116(C)(7). Defendants Daniel T. Green, David E. Scott, James M. Jannetta, and Daniel J. Weaver, defendant Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C., and plaintiff Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians all cross-appeal. We affirm, in part, and reverse, in part.

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