July / 2021 Minni Giizis (Berry Moon)
Line 5 Update / MILS
U.S. Army Corps to Require Critical Environmental Review of Enbridge Tunnel WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2021 embers of the Great Lakes Business Network (GLBN) applauded M today’s decision by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) to require an Environmental Impact Statement for Enbridge’s proposed Line 5 oil tunnel. Now the project will be subject to review under the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) -- a decision hotly contested by Enbridge.
“This is a huge victory for the Great Lakes and the communities which depend upon them, said Joe Short of Short’s Brewing Company. He continued, “There is little doubt that Enbridge’s oil tunnel will not stand up to scrutiny given the overwhelming scientific and technical concerns already looming over the project. We expect the results of the EIS to show what we have long suspected -- that this is not a serious project, but rather a costly delay and distraction tactic by Enbridge.”
Tribes, businesses, and environmental public interest organizations, including the Bay Mills Indian Community, which is represented by Earthjustice and the Native American Rights Fund,” said Whitney Gravelle, president of Bay Mills Indian Community. “We are encouraged to see that the Army Corps of Engineers heeded our call to undertake a more rigorous analysis of the environmental impacts -- and impacts on treaty-protected interests -- of Enbridge’s massive tunnel project underneath the Straits of Mackinac. Bay Mills remains very concerned that the pipeline threatens our way of life.” - Article Courtesy of, Great Lakes Business Network
“My business relies on Michigan’s abundant clean freshwater resources for success,’’ said Noah Marshall-Rashid of American Spoon. “We believe that through this independent environmental evaluation, the grave risks posed by Enbridge’s proposed toxic tunnel will be exposed. We will continue to support the ACOE efforts to investigate all reasonable alternatives to the tunnel as required under the law.” “Today’s decision has enormous significance because the EIS will entail an in-depth analysis of the pipeline tunnel’s environmental impacts. This Line 5 tunnel project is already facing public and legal opposition from numerous Indigenous
Convicted Of a Crime? Michigan's Clean Slate Law Can Give You a Fresh Start In April 2021, Michigan enacted the Clean Slate Law to help those with criminal records seek expungement through the legal system. The law will help people find better jobs, qualify for housing and higher education loans, and give peace of mind that past mistakes are no longer a hinderance. Courts set aside your conviction(s) if you meet specific criteria.
Criteria You Must Meet •
Your crime(s) must be ones that can be expunged, or set aside. o For example, most criminal sexual conduct convictions, some child abuse crimes, felony domestic violence if you have a previous misdemeanor domestic violence conviction, driving while intoxicated, terrorism or human trafficking cannot be expunged. o Convictions for which the maximum punishment is life in prison cannot be set aside. • You may have too many convictions. o If you have more than three felony offenses in Michigan you might not be able to expunge any convictions. • There are waiting periods. The waiting periods range from none at all for misdemeanor marijuana related crimes to seven years for more than one felony conviction.
The Process of Cleaning Your Record • • • •
You do not need an attorney to set aside your conviction(s). However, it is strongly recommended given the complexities of the law. If you meet the criteria set forth in the statute, you must submit the required paperwork to the court in which you were convicted. You must also file this same paperwork with the Michigan State Police, the prosecutor in the county in which you were convicted, and the Michigan Attorney General’s office. The application should include supporting documentation of why your conviction should be set aside, such as letters of recommendation, attendance at AA, or other improvements you have made in your life Once all the documents are submitted, a hearing will be scheduled in the court you were convicted in.
Costs • Free legal representation may be available to you if you live in one of the following 10 counties and meet in-
come eligibility requirements: o Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, and Wexford counties. (assistance may be available for people who have convictions in other counties throughout the state). • Costs you will be responsible for: o Obtaining a copy of your ICHAT report from the Michigan State Police ($10); o Obtaining certified copies of your convictions (costs depend on the county); o Obtaining fingerprints (may be a fee associated with obtaining them); o Application fee to the Michigan State Police for verifying your identity and criminal background ($50); Notary services (may be a fee associated with obtaining notarization).
INTERESTED IN PURSUING EXPUNGEMENT?
Attention Tribal Members: Letters of interest are being solicited to fill the remainder term of a vacancy created by a Gaming Commissioner’s recent resignation. This is an appointed position of the Tribal Council pursuant to: 18 GTBC § 205(a) The Gaming Commission is comprised of at least two, but not more than four, members appointed by the Tribal Council and one member elected by the membership of the Band. Commissioners will serve staggered terms of four years. There is no prohibition on successive terms of service. And 18 GTBC § 206 Qualifications for Membership; Length of Service: (a) To be elected or appointed to the Gaming Commission, an individual must be an enrolled member of the Grand Traverse Band and at least eighteen (18) years of age. (b) The Regulatory Department must conduct a comprehensive background investigation and credit check of each candidate or potential appointee. For each candidate or appointee, the Election Board or the Tribal Council, respectively, will determine whether the investigation reveals that the person’s prior activities, criminal record (if any), or reputations, habits, or associations pose a threat to the public interest, or threaten the effective regulation and control of gaming, or enhance the dangers of unsuitable, unfair or illegal practices, methods, or activities in the conduct of gaming. (c) A person must pass an independently administered alcohol and drug test substantially similar to the pre-employment test given to prospective tribal employees prior to being considered as an appointee or to be qualified as a candidate. Failure or refusal to submit to the test, or the presence of alcohol or illegal drugs at the time of testing, will disqualify the person from appointment or candidacy. (d) A person is not eligible for election, appointment, or continued service on the Gaming Commission if: (1) The person is simultaneously a Tribal Council Member, although this provision does not prevent non-voting participation under § 205(b) of this ordinance; (2) The person was convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or no-contest to, a felony, a gaming offense, or any misdemeanor which involved an element of dishonesty or moral turpitude; (3) The person or any member of the person’s immediate family has a financial interest in any gaming activity or facility, other than the receipt of a per capita benefit, or an immediate family member’s employment in a gaming operation. (4) The person is employed by any gaming operation. This appointment will fill a vacancy created by the recent resignation of a Gaming Commissioner and will end on October 30, 2023. Please send letters of interest to:
Income eligibility thresholds are 200% of the 2021 Federal Poverty Guidelines as set by the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services.
Attention: Tribal Council GTB of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians 2605 N.W. Bayshore Drive Peshawbestown, MI 49682 GTB NEWS 21
