Several months ago, I wrote about the time Tony Carrick serenaded the Bay Mills Adventure Camp about separating tribal politics from tribal business.
More recently, Michigan's tribes and governor reached an agreement to diversify and develop tribal economies. After I heard of this agreement, Tony visited me in a dream and told me of his vision for separating business and politics:
As a first step, he told me, the tribe would charter a for-profit corporation called Gnoozhakaaning, Inc., under tribal law, which would be completely separate from tribal government. This corporation would run all tribal businesses with a focus on generating revenues for the tribe.
Most of its profits would flow to the tribal government to fund all of the programs that meet the needs of our members. The rest would be recycled to the corporation to help invest in new business to diversify our economy.
Gnoozhakaaning, Inc., would have a seven-person board of directors appointed the Executive Council.
To ensure that it remains responsive to the needs of the community, the Executive Council would choose two board members from its own ranks, including the Tribal Chairperson.
The corporate charter would also require that the Executive Council appoint at least two additional tribal members to Gnoozhakaaning, Inc.'s Board of Directors. These appointees would serve staggered five-year terms so they are not subject to the political pressures of the day.
In his vision, Tony stressed that at least one of the remaining three seats on the corporate board would be a non-tribal member to ensure a minimum level of objectivity.
Once established, this seven-member board of directors would elect a chairperson and hire a CEO of Gnoozhakaaning, Inc., to manage the day-to-day operations of the various businesses under its control. The CEO would answer only to the Board of Directors and would not be subject to political pressures from the tribal citizenry.
Gnoozhakaaning, Inc.'s charter would also reflect the values the tribe considered in creating the corporation. Such values include paying above-average wages to employees, providing them with benefits, and generally improving the standard of living of employees.
Many tribal members would be hesitant to relinquish the checks and balances which we now possess over the tribe's business enterprises. Such concerns are valid, but Tony assured me that there was a remedy.
Because the corporation would be established for the benefit of Bay Mills, tribal members must maintain the ability to exercise our collective sovereign authority over it in the event that it grows out of control.
This could be achieved by permitting the GTC to remove members of the Board of Directors, or override their decisions, by a super-majority vote. A high standard, such as a three-fourths majority of all GTC members, would prevent Gnoozhakaaning, Inc., from succumbing to daily political scrutiny while allowing the tribe to keep it in check.
The Ho-Chunks of Nebraska use a very similar business model with great success. They have turned a very small, rural gaming operation into diverse economic holdings with several hundred tribal employees.
Compare them to their Wisconsin Ho-Chunk cousins, who are near bankruptcy due to government mismanagement of tribal businesses.
Removing our businesses from political control would allow our economy to flourish through creative business planning and new jobs. Tribal members interested in business could contribute their talents to the tribe, avoiding some of the pitfalls of political life. It would also help bring political stability to our tribe by allowing our leaders to focus on protecting our sovereignty, and in the process, make Tony Carrick a prophet in our time.
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.
