BAY MILLS — The Bay Mills Executive Council met Sept. 8 for its regular meeting. Norma Bennett was absent.
The general manager's contract was finalized by a vote of the council. It is the same as the prior contract, with the exception of items related to his initial hire, such as moving expenses.
The council voted to contract with InterTribal Fisheries Assessment Program (ITFAP) for its biological services, minus the $9,678 contract amount for Bay Mills employee Jennifer Dale's Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority Public Information & Education program (CORA PIE). That leaves $36,722 for ITFAP. The council then approved ITFAP's $28,616 fishery enhancement contract.
Ken Hopper, Department of Recreation and Health Promotion director and Boys and Girls Club of Bay Mills executive director, approached the council about the viability of an equestrian center. The Boys and Girls Club has the opportunity to obtain funding for such a center. The council voted to pursue funding and a site for an equestrian center.
The council asked for a report on the community picnic. Hopper said there were more people in attendance than previous years.
Treasurer and Human Resource Director Ken Perron asked the council to make front desk employees licensable. A system is being installed in the front desk that gives employees access to coupons; therefore, they will all need a license, he said. A past council decision made these employees not licensed so someone not licensable would have a hiring opportunity. Perron, however, said all current employees are eligible for a license. His request was granted by vote.
Two gaming waivers for tribal members were approved.
Phone votes reaffirmed were approvals for a liquor license for a Labor Day weekend tournament, a raffle license for a benefit softball tournament and a raffle license for the community picnic.
Secretary Terry Carrick reported on the condition of the 1865 book of hand-painted portraits and biographies of area Native Americans, including ancestors of Bay Mills members, owned Sen. John Prydnia's father-in-law. The history department reported at the last meeting that the owner was willing to sell it to Bay Mills rather than put it up for auction. Carrick said there is only a slight tear in the binder that is repairable.
Carrick also reported that the Conservation Committee requested that the tribe's fisheries technician report to ITFAP daily. Carrick said he doesn't know if he agrees. He will meet with ITFAP Director Tom Gorenflo to see what ITFAP can do to help scheduling through September. He recommendation that the fishery tech report to tribal administration was approved by the council.
Corrine Cameron requested looking into the Jay Treaty*. She reported that a tribal member was at Canadian Customs when he was asked if he'd ever been arrested. He admitted to impaired driving. Customs officials made him sign a paper voluntarily giving up his right to enter Canada and told him he was not welcome.
Tribal Chairman L. John Lufkins said he has heard of numerous problems. He told her to have Tribal Attorney Kathryn Tierney make inquires. He said he tried to set up a meeting with border officials but they were not interested. They are ignoring the treaty. He said the tribe is lodging a protest against Homeland Security regarding the treatment of golfers and volunteers at the border.
Perron announced that there will be an employee outing for both governmental and enterprise employees at Wild Bluff with games, food, prizes and cheap golf on Oct. 17.
Sept. 28 is the annual Bay Mills-Sault Tribe golf outing, he added.
• Editor's note: Under the Jay Treaty, which was signed between the U.S. and the Colonial (British) government in the 1700s, a Native person who is at least 50 percent North American Indian living in North America is entitled to cross freely over the American and British lines. There are many issues, both U.S. and Canadian, under consideration concerning the rights held under this treaty.
