6 minute read
Niizhtana
from GTB NEWS MARCH 2022
by GTB NEWS
Open Forum Comments/Questions with Responses from Tribal Council, Tribal Manager, Legal Department, and Department Managers
14. Dana Greensky, TID #1862- I want to bring to your attention, I have read online and heard a lot about GTB members being mistreated at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa and casinos. Mostly it’s regarding when we are trying to receive our discount, getting rooms discounted. When members make their reservations, they no longer say they are GTB members, because they will be talked to differently. They make reservations and then ask upon check in. I want to make Matthew Bryant aware that his staff at the front desk at GTRS, there are some employees who are problematic and being very disrespectful. I think there needs to be a reminder that GTB owns GTRS, we deserve respect.
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For GTB members on this meeting who do not live in the 6-county service area, I am so happy you joined, thank you for participating. I want you to know that we see you. I will make sure our membership in total is looked after, and not just those who live in the 6-county area.
The EDC CEO and the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa General Manager have been contacted and made aware of the issues. The issues will be addressed and corrected in the future. If you are still experiencing issues, please contact Tribal Council.
Bill Sky-Eagle, TID #7003- Would someone on Tribal Council please speak to the issue of blood quantum? What is currently being done in preparation for the future? Obviously, this is a very important issue. Our GTB tribe needs to be able to prepare for the perpetuation of the tribe for eternity.
Tribal membership is controlled by Article II of the GTB Constitution. Under the Constitution, a historical summary of GTB’s ancestral relationship with the United States is defined by the “Durrant roll,” a 1910 federal census of GTB members prior to GTB’s federal recognition in 1980, Sec. II (a). The second element of membership, Sec II (b), was a summary of litigation between the United States and GTB that was effectively settled in 1985. The third element of GTB’s membership, was a memorialization of the settlement of litigation between United States and GTB. Sec II (c). Incident to these 3 subsections, GTB establish the criteria of one quarter Indian, of which 1/ 8 would be Michigan Ottawa/Chippewa blood. Any modification of tribal membership would necessitate an amendment of the GTB Constitution supervised an approved by the Secretary of the Interior memorializing the proposed amendments.
15. Jackie Ogemaw, TID #4022- I wanted to say something related to Angie Sanchez’s comment about a centrally located person for different comments/ issues; I thought it would be an excellent idea if there was a central command for people’s IDs/information we can pull from. Debra Fox TID #358- When I was hired on to the government side in 2007 the paperwork stated that there was an employee assistance center but there really wasn’t one because I tried to access it later in my employment and Human Resources stated there was no such service.
I work at the clinic, the clinic has a copy of my tribal ID, insurance, any information they need. For PNC to access, I have to give them a copy of what they need and also something for proof of residency. If I need to access something with a food voucher, I have to show all the info again. If we turned all the info into-somewhere- and then each department could just pull the information that they need. People don’t always bring all the information they need when they apply for services
My personal experiences with the check in process/reservations at GTRS-I go right to the desk instead of calling reservation line. In person, I was told continually I had to use the reservation line. If someone is in front of you, that is your immediate customer, that’s who you need to service. This employee rolled their eyes at me; it’s not always vocal comments, it includes tone, looks. I was told there were no rooms available. I went out to my car and called the reservation line, they said they had multiple rooms available. I appreciate other comments regarding this. Don’t let one bad apple upset the whole apple cart.
Our point of contact is the Tribal Managers Office, who is in contact with the Department Managers. The Tribal government will be implementing a new software program in calendar year 2022 to improve upon access to services. The EDC CEO and the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa General Manager have been contacted and made aware of the issues. The issues will be addressed and corrected in the future. If you are still experiencing issues, please contact Tribal Council.
Chat Comments Received Jodi Lewis, TID #4341- I want to express a heartfelt thank you and acknowledgement to all the Tribal Council and governmental staff, especially the OMB department for their extra efforts through the pandemic last year and their continued efforts as we push through these tough times. Chi Chi Miigwetch
Miigwetch for your comments.
Tanya Raphael, TID #1491- Can GTB employees get $2 increase to be equal to gaming employees?
GTB Government employees received an initial increase and a wage study will be forthcoming.
Krystina John, TID #5543- Can Tribal Council request that a Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance get created? (TERO). Lots of other tribes have this.
A TERO requires non-Indian businesses that do business on tribal land to give preferential hiring of tribal members. At the present time, GTB does not have non-Indian businesses that do business on GTB tribal land. GTB does have preferential hiring of Tribal Members on all GTBcontrolled businesses; however, since GTB does not have a single nonIndian employer that operates on GTB land, therefore a TERO would not apply to any present employers.
Tessie Moreno, TID #4100- Amanda can you please read this for me? I don't like to speak publicly: I am very grateful for the access our membership and households have been given for the availability of covid testing and vaccinations. After I had received my first vaccination, I had realized out in the public, others were not able to receive them yet. I saw on the news people were having trouble even getting onto the websites to register to get their vaccination scheduled. Our tribe made it extremely easy for us to get them quicker and I'm very grateful and have been. The tribe has made it easy for us to get tested too and we get to find out the result the same day. And the health staff have been absolutely amazing for these past couple years dealing with this head on. Thank you everyone.
The Employee Assistance Program is available for current employees. For further assistance, please contact the Human Resources department.
Dwayne Jarmon, TID #4418- The impact of historical trauma can have a dramatic impact on employment. Connecting with behavioral health prior to change in employment might be helpful.
Miigwetch for your comment.
Tanya Raphael, TID #1491- Please review and visit education department policies and procedures to support our children “all children matter”
Miigwetch for your comment. We will follow up with a review of policies.
Sharon Wasageshik, TID #2110- Next time can we have 5 minutes instead of 3?
Miigwetch for your comment, we will take this into consideration.
Dana Greensky, TID #1862- current example of why our police dept, our court staff, our Anishnaabek Family services dept. (anyone who handles membership) has to be trained fully in TRAUMA INFROMED CARE. I believe you all stated that Jolanda's dept. and her DV grant would provide this. Hopefully it is getting done.
Have employee's give quarterly assessments on their managers that are confidential and actually attended to.
Training is ongoing with all departments. Some departments have had trauma- informed care information and will expand this training to other departments. We have reached out to Inter-Tribal Council for additional training. We also have new Human Resources software with basic training. Miigwetch for your suggestion regarding management quarterly reviews. We will take it into consideration.
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