Several weeks ago I wrote a column about the importance of diversifying our tribal economy beyond casino gaming. Consider this a sequel.
That column focused on the need of our tribe to build new businesses that will bring new money into our community. This one focuses on the equally important need to keep that money in our community.
But first, please allow me a brief story.
Prior to tying the knot, I used to live with a couple of buddies. Let's say that we took cleanliness to a new low. We all pitched in for a vacuum cleaner that was older than my Papa Bowen, and used it about as often as the Lions win a game. When I did manage to use our Jurassic vacuum, it would spit out nearly as much dirt as it sucked in.
Think of our tribal economy in terms of my old vacuum.
The money that we bring into our community from outsiders winds up leaving right away. It is spent in the Soo or other areas on the many goods we need for daily life.
This has created a dangerous situation for Gnoozhekaaning.
We have an over reliance on money from tourists — mainly casino patrons — to sustain our standard of living. If the number of gamblers were to diminish, our tribal economy would take a turn down the dump road. Therefore, it is important that our tribe seek ways to keep money in our economy, or build a better vacuum if you will.
Economists call this the multiplier effect — a measure of how many times a dollar is spent within a community. That the following example:
Let's say an old lady from downstate plugs a dollar into a slot machine at the casino. By doing so, she has put a dollar into our economy. Now, let's say the tribe takes that dollar and puts into a member's paycheck. The dollar has been spent in our economy two times.
But, now let's say that tribal member uses that dollar to buy groceries in the Soo. After being spent twice, the dollar has left our community.
In essence, the old lady at the slot machine has spent two dollars in our economy.
It should be the goal of our tribal government to increase the number of times that dollar is spent here. Doing so will decrease our reliance on gamblers and allow us to sustain our standard of living if our primary businesses ever experienced a slump (remember the forecast for tribal gaming).
Bay Mills can increase our multiplier effect by moving businesses for consumer goods, such as groceries, clothing and energy. Not all of these businesses have to be located directly on the rez, but they should be near our community so that our members, and others, can frequent them from day-to-day.
Some of them can even be owned by local tribal members. Tribal government can help them by offering loans to start up businesses that will help to grow and improve our economy.
We should also look at ventures that give us the ability to supply goods to our own businesses, such as bulk foods and electricity for our resort.
It's important to note that I am not advocating economic segregation from our neighbors. Every town, city and state seeks to grow its economy to increase its multiplier effect. Bay Mills is no different.
In order for us to strengthen our economy and our right to self-determination, it is imperative that we make our dollars go forth and multiply.
Bryan Newland is a Bay Mills Indian Community Member and a student at Michigan State University College of Law in East Lansing. He is the oldest son of Gordon and Vickie Newland of Bay Mills. He has written columns and letters that have appeared in local, regional, and national publications. You can respond to his column at 517-420-0808 or tikro6@yahoo.com.
