The Executive Council held its regular Dec. 22 meeting with Tribal Chairman Jeff Parker and Councilman Alex Easton absent.
A group of tribal fishers asked that an agreement between them, Clearwater Fish Cooperative and the tribe be modified so that the contract for 30,000 fish could be paid up front, instead of paid for as it is ordered. This way the fishers can be paid for fish they have already provided to Clearwater, and bills can be paid. The agreement was for 30,000 pounds of whitefish guaranteed to the Resort through the spring, with 10,000 already ordered by the Resort. That leaves 20,000 pounds of top quality fish guaranteed, said Pat Kinney, one of the fishers. Secretary Greg Parker said he had reviewed the modification, and saw no problems with it. Paying the balance of the contract and adjusting all payments between the Resort, Clearwater and the fishers, was passed by the council. Parker said individual checks would be cut.
The council also:
Appointed Councilman Alex Easton to the Health Board;
Added History Department staff Wanda Perron and Paula Parker to the list of Bay Mills Native American Graves Repatriation Act (NAGRPA) representatives;
Voted to require that tribal vehicles to be returned to their parking spots at the end of the day (with specific exceptions, such as traveling in the early morning, added Parker);
Passed the Gaming Commission budget;
Approved a Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority (CORA) administration contract; and Reaffirmed phone votes.
Before approving the needy child Christmas list to help out Bay Mills families at Christmas, the council talked about starting funding efforts earlier in the year. Parker discussed giving the community the opportunity to help out, such as planning fundraising events throughout the year. Recording Secretary Kathy Carrick, who also serves as Donation Committee Chair, said Dress Down Days used to be held for fundraising.
Mark Teeple asked what happened to the poinsettas at the Resort after the holiday season, suggesting they could be handed out to tribal members. The council members didn't know and suggested he ask Resort Facility Manager John Hutchinson.
