Tribe allocates income toward roads, youth programs

• Tweet
• 

The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe’s most recent semi-annual 2 percent distributions were directed toward several area projects, including road resurface plans and government-run youth programs.

Twice each year, the tribe distributes a percentage of its income to local government and educational agencies, particularly the city of Mount Pleasant and Union Township, among others. The recent distribution totaled $5.4 million to the community.

“In general, the city receives 2 percent allocations from the tribe to finance multi-jurisdictional or partnership programs,” said City Manager Kathie Grinzinger.

Mount Pleasant’s portion of the allocations was about $730,000, much of which went to the city’s Youth Services Unit, a group that focuses on crime and violence prevention in schools throughout the county. Other portions funded the Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team and Partners Empowering All Kids.

“PEAK is an after school and summer program to further the education and health of students in the Mount Pleasant School Districts,” Grinzinger said.

Union Township is resurfacing Isabella Road between Pickard and Baseline roads with its share of the 2 percent fund. Township Supervisor John Barker said it is an important road, as it is used heavily by local residents en route to places such as the Mount Pleasant Municipal Airport, 5453 E. Airport Road, or the Isabella County Fairgrounds, 500 N. Mission Road.

“That road has been pretty well beat up,” he said.

Isabella County received almost $1 million of the tribe’s distribution, which largely went to the Isabella County Commission on Aging.

“That one is the large ongoing commitment that the tribe has made,” said David Ling, chairman of the Isabella County Board of Commissioners.

Money also goes toward cancer awareness and HIV testing programs.

Two percent of the tribe’s net gaming proceeds are given back to the community each year.

This is according to terms of the contract that Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort, 2395 S. Leaton Road, signed with the state, which allows it to operate.

After an application process, the Tribal Counsel decides where the money goes.

One of the major beneficiaries of the 2 percent fund is education. The Tribal Council has historically given over one third of the two percent fund to educational institutions, said Frank Cloutier, the tribe’s interim public relations director.

“Tribal councils historically have been absolutely huge supporters of higher education,” he said.

The Tribal Council takes many things into consideration when deciding how to distribute education money, such as technical needs of schools and book needs.

The school is asked to prioritize needs before they are submitted. The Tribal Council monitors the education system for interaction with students and benefits to the tribal community.

“We want to make sure everyone has a mutual benefit,” Cloutier said.