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2021 Accomplishment Report

ga zhetthkéygo W HAT W E H AV E D ONE

Table of Contents 6

Letter from Chairwoman

Treasurer’s Report

Elders Council

Tribal Court

Programs, Service Statements, and Statistics 28

Center of History and Culture

Department of Education

Department of Ėthë Bodwéwadmimwat

Department of Facilities

Department of Finance

Pokagon Health Services

Department of Housing and Community Development

Department of Natural Resources

Department of Social Services

Pokagon Tribal Police

2021 ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT

Seven Grandfather Teachings BY CARLA COLLINS

There are many different versions of the origin and namesake of the Seven Grandfather Teachings. They have been referred to as the Seven Sacred Teachings, the Seven Grandfathers, the Seven Grandmothers and several other names. Many say these teachings are rooted in Ojibwe and Cree stories, while others say the teachings come from differing tribes out West. Within our own community, some of our Elders say we had four virtues; Honesty, Generosity, Strength of Heart and Unconditional Love. Other Potawatomi Elders have said there is no recollection of any of their Elders labeling teachings as The Seven Grandfather Teachings. While there are several different variations of the Seven Grandfather Teachings, one thing is certain, we will benefit if we learn and apply these teachings. The teachings are virtues that guide us on how to treat each other, how to better our Tribal community, and how to live good lives.

Wédaséwen BRAVERY

Walking with a strong heart and doing the right thing, in spite of fear. It not only takes bravery to win a battle, it also takes bravery to fight through adversity, and make positive choices. Integrity is a true demonstration of bravery.

Débwéwen

HONESTY

To walk through life with integrity is to know honesty. Be honest with yourself. Recognize and accept who you are. Accept and use the gifts you have been given. Do not seek to deceive yourself or others. Be honest about your short comings. View them as opportunities to learn more about who we are, rather than deflect, project, or abandon honesty, in regards to your own level of knowledge.

Gdemagéndëmowen HUMILITY

Humility begins with knowing that all creation is equal. No life is higher than another, as every living creature has a spirit. Our roles are balanced and one can not exist without the other. As Bodwéwadmi people, we should set our intentions on benefiting others, to ensure that balance is maintained.

Dbandëwen LOVE

Bwakawsëwen

Gaténdëwen

Mishkozwen

Love is the unselfish concern for the good of another and it is rooted in compassion, forgiveness, and appreciation. We should love those who are hurt emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually as well as those who are supportive, and kind. We should aim to love all of creation freely, and without expectation. We must not forget to love ourselves with the same compassion and forgiveness that we give others.

RESPECT

We show respect for the life we have been given by making the best choices for our community and our families. To listen and acknowledge others, is to be respectful. We do not have to agree, but we should allow others the space to be heard. We should not demand respect, it must be earned. To earn respect, we have to show respect to others, and be mindful of our own behaviors.

WISDOM

To cherish knowledge is to know wisdom. To observe creation and all of life’s happenings, is to gain wisdom. The creator presents us with learning opportunities and those opportunities can turn into life lessons. With every lesson we hold onto, we gain more wisdom. Many of our elders hold the wisdom of our community and can be very helpful to move us forward in a good way.

STRENGTH

Often times life presents us with opportunities to learn. Many of these lessons are not easy. They can come from hardships, personal experiences, teachings, and ceremonies. Many take sacrifice, humility, commitment, dedication, and sometimes pain. We can use these grandfather teachings to guide us. Once we begin to learn, and attain Mishkozwen, we can better serve our families, our community, and ourselves.

Letter from Chairwoman Bozho! On behalf of the Pokagon Brand Tribal Council, it is my privilege to share with you our 2021 Accomplishment Report. 2021 was a year to be remembered for many reasons and I hope this report will help you reflect with pride on the great accomplishments of our nation. No one could have predicted the ongoing challenges caused by COVID-19 as we navigated the second year of the pandemic. Many of us experienced hardships including the loss of loved ones, illness, furloughs, job loss, economic strain, fear, anxiety, and isolation. There were many challenges with days, weeks, and months filled with uncertainty, but we persevered. We relied on each other for strength and support, and also gained perspective on the things each of us hold most dear. With all of these challenges in mind, Tribal Council understood citizens were going through many of their own unique situations relating to the pandemic. We wanted to assist in some way and came up with creative solutions. Key initiatives included continuing the Walmart Grocery Card Program, the COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Program, and the COVID-19 Vaccine Incentive Program. In March of 2021, we also established the Student Laptop Program, the Other Citizen Laptop Program, the Laptop Reimbursement Program, and the COVID-19 Video Doorbell Program. In addition, Tribal Council approved a Stimulus Benefit of $4,000 to each adult citizen in November of 2021 to help Pokagon households. We made great strides to maintain our operations and delivered numerous programs and services to our citizens to help ease the burden cased by the pandemic. We truly did the best we could given the circumstances and I am proud of our citizens for their resolve and our Tribal Council and government team members for all of their hard work.

naganzéthêk TRIBA L CO UN CIL

POKÉGNEK BODÉWADMIK

Despite all of the challenges, we were also able to celebrate some important milestones that will help ensure the future success of our next seven generations. Notably, I would like to recognize the previous administration for their efforts to secure our Class III Gaming Compact with the State of Indiana. The Compact is a first in Indiana’s history

From left to right Rebecca Richards, Chairwoman Andrew Bennett, Vice Chair

From left to right John Morseau, Treasurer Sam Morseau, Secretary Alex Wesaw, Member-At-Large

From left to right Brandon Rapp, Member-At-Large Mark Topash, Member-At-Large Anita Morales, Member-At-Large

From left to right Mark Parrish, Member-At-Large Steve Winchester, Member-At-Large Barbara Ann Warren, Elders Representative

and also a first for Native Americans as the Pokagon Band is the only federally-recognized Tribe in the State of Indiana. It is also the first piece of Pokagon Band legislation passed in Indiana. Our motivation for having a Class III Gaming Compact with the State of Indiana was not only for Four Wind South Bend to remain competitive with the commercial casinos in Indiana, but also to generate additional revenue to support essential programs and services for our nearly 6,000 Tribal Citizens, as well as other Native Americans and Indiana residents. As one of the largest employers in region, we have thousands of people that rely on us for jobs and vendors, ancillary businesses and community partners that rely on us for revenue. Without Four Winds South Bend, there wouldn’t be funding for critical infrastructure, or programs and services that support the community. The Class III Gaming Compact will help Four Winds South Bend reach new heights and that success will lead to a better quality of life for all in the region.

Apron, Cousin Topash

POKÉGNEK BODÉWADMIK

In addition, and as part of the Class III Gaming Compact, we were also able to establish the Pokagon Indiana Education Fund. This fund enables any Pokagon Citizen to attend state funded institutions of higher education, including two and four year colleges, plus trade/vocational schools, with all expenses covered. It is not required that our citizens be residents of Indiana to participate in this life changing program.

Another important milestone achieved was the establishment of Full Faith and Credit of the Pokagon Tribal Court. Indiana Governor Holcomb signed legislation which created reciprocity between state and Tribal courts so that both tribunals are required to recognize orders from the other. Authored by Rep. Ed DeLaney, D-Indianapolis, the concept was introduced during the 2020 session of the Indiana General Assembly and its adoption reinforces the strong government to government relationship established between the Pokagon Band and the State of Indiana. Kudos to everyone involved that helped make this legislation possible. Other key developments in 2021 included approval by the Michigan Gaming Control Board for our online gaming and sports wagering license. This was a significant decision which enabled us to launch the Sportsbook at our Four Winds Casinos locations in Michigan. We were also able to launch the Sportsbook at Four Winds South Bend later in the year. We are also very pleased that Steven W. Rider joined the Tribal Government as Government Manager! Steve is a Pokagon Citizen who most recently served as Vice President of Security for our Four Winds Casinos. Prior to joining Four Winds, Steve had an extensive law enforcement career spanning more than 26 years including serving as a Detective Lieutenant for the Pokagon Band Tribal Police Department. Steve currently resides in Bangor, Michigan with his wife Terri. Steve and Terri have four adult children and two grandchildren residing in Washington, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky. Please make Steve feel welcome as you see and hear him at Tribal Council meetings and events! As 2021 drew to close, we found ourselves with a renewed sense of optimism about the future. Our casinos were performing well and delivering much needed revenue to our government and citizens. We recalled all of our remaining government team members from furlough and continued to make improvements in our government operations. We continued to look at introducing new programs to enhance the lives of our citizens. As we look to 2022 and beyond, the future is bright. We have much to be thankful for and the best is yet to come! Migwetth, Rebecca Richards Tribal Chairwoman

Treasurer's Report Finance Board is an extension of Tribal Council tasked with overseeing the Band’s financial resources to ensure efficient and responsible utilization. The current Finance Board members took office in August 2021. The Finance Board consists of the following Board Members: Chairman John Morseau; Vice-Chairman Steve Winchester; Secretary Alex Wesaw; Member Brandon Rapp; and Member Sam Morseau. Throughout 2021, Finance Board achieved great success by increasing the Band’s cash position and investment accounts to the largest balances since the Band’s federal reaffirmation. The Band possesses sufficient savings to operate government services for several months in case of a financial emergency. In 2022, Finance Board will continue to work towards building a selfsufficient financial future through prudent saving and investment. In 2021, Finance Board achieved an unprecedented level of saving and investment for the Band. The Band increased its unrestricted cash and investment balances by over $44 million in 2021 to end the year with unrestricted cash and investment funds of $76.5 million. The 2021 increase in unrestricted funds is more than double from $32.1 million at the end of 2020 and almost triple the $26.7 million at the end of 2019. The unrestricted cash balances do not include the Burial Fund nor the 2028 Debt Reserve Fund as these funds should be considered restricted since those funds serve a specific purpose. The increased cash and investments were the result of continued budget reductions from pre-pandemic levels, increases in RAP payments to the Band from the casino, and good investment performance for the year.

shonya béméndêk ė zhëwébêk TREA SURER HA P P ENINGS

POKÉGNEK BODÉWADMIK

Finance Board’s goal for the Band’s unrestricted cash and investments is $100 million by the end of 2022. Substantial unrestricted cash and investment reserves ensure the Band will be prepared for future financial emergencies such as the recent pandemic. The Band can also use the annual investment income to fund government programs and services once the accounts grow to produce the required annual returns. Finance Board will continue to monitor the investment accounts, set goals for funding levels, and explore investment opportunities to achieve diversified returns. In addition to increasing the Band’s unrestricted cash and investment funds, Finance Board achieved several milestones concerning the Band’s restricted investment funds. The most important of which was the funding of the Burial Fund to a sustainably self-funding level. Finance Board contributed $11 million to the Burial Fund during 2021 for a total balance of approximately $13.6 million at the end of the year. The Burial Fund should generate sustainable average annual returns of at least $500,000. At $500,000, the Band will be able to fund the annual Burial Program expenses indefinitely under current projections solely from annual investment returns. Finance Board also fully funded the 2028 Debt Reserve Fund by contributing $1.82 million in 2021 for an ending balance of approximately $11.2 million for the year. The $11.2 million balance should grow at a rate that easily exceeds the $13.2 million debt balloon payment due in 2028. The balloon payment concerns the Band’s debt to finance the Justice Center and Pokagon Health Service expansion. As a result of the contributions made to the fund in 2022, the Band no longer needs to contribute to the Debt Retirement fund to fulfil the balloon payment. Finance Board will continue to monitor through 2022 and assess the financial prudence of repaying the entire loan early.

Beaded Barrette, Linda Yazel

The the following chart provides the Band’s balances as of December 31, 2021.

Pokagon Government Cash and Investment Summary Unrestricted Cash GOVERNMENT FUND

Unrestricted Investment Accounts $27,206,288

Restricted Cash ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND

$21,779,970

INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES

$21,540,087

GOVERNMENT AND BUILDING SUPPORT FUND

$19,943,776

BUSINESS INTERRUPTION FUND

$29,343,762

Restricted Investment Accounts BURIAL FUND

$13,654,375

BIA 638 FUND

$4,224,281

2028 DEBT RETIREMENT FUND

$11,239,393

BIA ROADS FUND

$2,263,493

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND

$1,584,067

MINORS TRUST

$308,523,071

HUD FUND

$1,200,241

TREASURY CARES FUND

$19,743,530

TREASURY ARPA FUND

$66,834,498

Wooden Paddle, Artist Unknown

POKÉGNEK BODÉWADMIK

As for staffing challenges, the Finance Board began the year by dealing with the resignation of the Director of Finance. The resignation placed additional duties on the Finance Board to oversee the operation of the Finance Department. Finance Board is very appreciative of the dedicated team members within the Finance Department who kept up with the Band’s financial responsibilities in the absence of a director. The Band hired the current Director of Accounting, Michael Dixon, during the summer and Mr. Dixon has worked diligently to fill vacant staff positions within the department and catch up the Band’s accounting. Finance Board looks forward to the continued success of Mr. Dixon and the Finance Department in 2022. Going into 2022, Finance Board will focus on reforming the Band’s financial and investment policies. Many of the Band’s financial policies need revisions to address the current state of operations and to clarify uncertainty. Finance Board will focus on reforming the Band’s private equity investments to address the expectation that public equity and bond returns over the next decade will likely not replicate previous returns due to overvaluations and anticipated interest rate increases which will lower bond yields. As Chairman of the Finance Board, I finish by saying I am honored to be entrusted with the great responsibilities of Treasurer. I look forward to working with my fellow Finance Board members and I am fortunate that the Band, especially the Finance Department, has outstanding employees dedicated to serving our Pokagon Citizens. Migwetth, John Morseau Treasurer

Elders Council The Pokagon Band Elders Council is an instrumentality of the Pokagon Band Government. The Elders Council shall be organized for the purpose of: A. Providing guidance for the membership, Tribal Council, Judiciary, Executive, and Legislative branches of the Pokagon Band Government on matters Relative to history, tradition, and culture. B. Recommending to the Tribal Council goals and procedures to make changes and objectives for the Band in developing Elder-related services. C. Evaluating Elder program performance. D. Administering certain Elder programs, with the prior approval of the Tribal Council.

Elders Council Members and Terms NAME

TITLE

TERM ENDS

JUDY WINCHESTER

CHAIRWOMAN

NOVEMBER 2022

VACANT

VICE CHAIR

NOVEMBER 2023

JUDY AUGUSTA

SECRETARY

NOVEMBER 2022

TOM WILSON

TREASURER

NOVEMBER 2023

CATHY FORD

MEMBERAT-LARGE

NOVEMBER 2022

BARBARA ANN WARREN

ELDERS REPRESENTATIVE

AUGUST 2024

E. Providing opportunities for Elders to interact for the purpose of satisfying unmet cultural and social needs.

gékyathêk naganzéthêk EL DERS CO UN CIL

Beaded Rose Bag, Artist Unknown

POKÉGNEK BODÉWADMIK

Changes to the Work Plan The Elders population continues to grow each year. For 2022 there are a projected total of 782 Elders. As the pandemic has hit our families and country the Elders Council values and appreciates the programs and the Elders stipends. Within five years the projected number of Elders will be 1,052 in 2027. With the increase in Elders in various tiers, it is imperative to listen to their needs. Speaking and listening to the needs of our Elders is vital information to help advocate for new services and programs. Goals for 2022 The Elders Council realize that it is necessary to record the history of the Elders Council. How the Elders Council was formed, who the Officers are that have served, recording each Officer’s name, information, provide pictures, provide what was available for the Elders at the beginning and how the various programs and services have grown and impacted the lives and stability of our Elders. We realize that it is our responsibility to research and to document the history, and to make it available for the future seven generations and beyond. The Elders Council is putting together a “welcome to 55” brochure, along with providing information about the Elders Council, Elders staff, programs and the various services that are offered. Activities In 2021, with the pandemic continuing, the Elders Council completed their meetings online via Microsoft Teams. Elders were able to call in and participate from all over. With this being a new challenge, it was important to allow our Elders to express their concerns. When allowed, the Elders did hold the summer picnic that was greatly attended at the Pavilion at the Rodgers Lake property with close to 100 Elders in attendance. The Elders provided a fun sunny afternoon allowing them to bring a couple of their grandchildren to enjoy the Potawatomi Zoo, eat box lunches together and enjoy the day. During the summer Tribal Council gave the Elders the suite at the South Bend Cubs to attend two different games. The Elders Council supported Tribal Citizen owned Espin VR, renting the entire building that provided the Elders access to all 14 Virtual Reality stations. The coaches assisted with getting the Elders in and out of the VR headsets, teaching them how to interact with the virtual worlds. Two different dates were held, allowing Elders to attend for a lunch and afternoon virtual experience, and a dinner followed the evening virtual experience. The evening event offered Elders that are still working the opportunity to participate in the activity. Elders that attended appreciated the opportunity for the evening and expressed the desire for more. Tom Johnson with his grandson, Colt

The lawn care and snow removal programs continued for the Elders, allowing for $200 reimbursement per Elder. The Elders also received a $150 one time gift we have been providing at Christmas time. This year the Elders were also suprised with a $400 deposit in their accounts on December 17, 2021. Since the travel budget had a large portion that was not being spent due to the pandemic, the Elders Council working closely with the finance department were given the suggested amount of $400. Elders Council Chairwoman Judy Winchester went before the Finance Board to request that a portion of the travel budget be moved into the program services budget, and to provide each Elder with the one-time payment of $400. Judy spoke to the Finance Board about how many of our Elders don’t have cell phones, computers, internet, nor do they want to learn those things. That during the pandemic they might not be aware of different new programs. Judy identified that many of our Elders are the hierarchy of our families, the person in which children, grandchildren, etc., go to when they have a problem. Also, sadly to say, we still have Elders that cannot read. That it is our responsibility to respectfully advocate for our Elders. The Finance Board unanimously supported the request, and two days later the Finance Department Star Beaded Bag, Artist Unknown

POKÉGNEK BODÉWADMIK

The Zagbëgon students made these Christmas cards for the Elders Council.

worked and the Elders each received the one-time payment of $400. Chi-migwetth to the staff and everyone who made this a wonderful special payment to the Elders. The Elders were also sent their yearly calendars just in time for 2022! Over the last ten years, the number of Elders who have passed each year has been about 14. Sadly, in 2020 we lost 29 Elders and and 24 in 2021. When we are made aware of funerals for our Elders and their spouses, we sent plants. Plants are sent one time a year if an Elder or their spouse is admitted in the hospital. The growth of the Elders population speaks for itself regarding the need for a larger, new Elders Building. The Elders Council continue to advocate for this to happen. Elders Council continues to serve the Elders and provide open communication to fulfill their needs. We are thankful for the opportunities which are provided. As we are the ones who are living the dreams of so many individuals that worked to achieve our reaffirmation. We know that it is imperative at this time to provide the respect and thankfulness to put this in our history. Chi Migwetth, Judy Winchester Elders Council Chairwomen

Tribal Judiciary The Judiciary is an independent branch of government established by the Constitution of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. The Tribal Court system consists of two levels: the trial level (Tribal Court) and the appellate level (Court of Appeals). The Pokagon Band Judiciary has been an Indian Country model of stability and continuity. Each of the judges have served in the Judiciary since inception of the Pokagon Band courts in 2003, until the recent resignation of the Chief Justice.

From left to right - Back Row: Associate Justice Matthew L.M. Fletcher; Former Chief Justice Robert T. Anderson; and Associate Judge David M. Peterson. Front Row - Chief Judge Michael Petoskey and Associate Justice Jill E. Tompkins

débakwnëgéthêk O N ES WHO M A K E D ECISIONS

POKÉGNEK BODÉWADMIK

The Tribal Court Judges Chief Judge Michael Petoskey (Grand Traverse Band) is a Michigan attorney with over 35 years experience developing and implementing tribal courts in Michigan. He has served on the tribal courts for each of the seven federally-recognized Tribes in the lower peninsula of Michigan. Associate Judge David M. Peterson is a retired judge from the 5th District Court for Berrien County, Michigan and is a practicing Michigan attorney. The Court of Appeals Justices Associate Justice Jill E. Tompkins (Penobscot) is the Court Staff Attorney for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians Court of Central Jurisdiction. She is leading the development of the Mille Lacs Band Healing to Wellness Court, Noojimo’wgamig Inaawanidiwag (Healing Journey). Associate Justice Matthew L.M. Fletcher (Grand Traverse Band) is a Professor of Law and Director of the Indigenous Law & Policy Center at Michigan State University College of Law. We congratulate Chief Justice Robert T. Anderson (Bois Forte Band) on his appointment as Solicitor of the United States Department of the Interior. Upon appointment in 2021, Chief Justice Anderson resigned from the Chief Justice position so not to cause any future conflicts regarding his position as a Solicitor. We thank him for 18 years of work, dedication, and commitment to serving in the Judiciary.

Former Chief Justice Robert T. Anderson

Wooden Trough and Spoons, Nick Dillingham

Ggëkéndamen dokmezwen We know the act of peace 2021 was a momentous occasion, as the dream to provide a place for Peacemaking to call home was fully realized. Culminating in over 15 years of challenging work and dedication by Pokagon Band Citizens and Tribal Court staff, the opening of the Peacemaking Center and the hiring of a part-time Coordinator affirmed the Band’s commitment to Peacemaking. Utilizing the tools provided to us through our Potawatomi culture to help heal and grow our families and community, the centerpiece of this new facility is the Healing Fire Room. It’s a fully-functioning indoor area where we can safely host talking circles and ceremonies around a central fire. The Peacemaking Center also has an outside fire area to host talking circles and ceremonies. The fire is at the heart of our identity as Potawatomi people. Fire has the ability to teach, strengthen, and bring out the best of our spirit, especially during times when we need to communicate clearly for the purpose of maintaining healthy family and community connections. In the same manner by which we see the Band prioritize efforts to revitalize our language, history, and cultural teachings, the traditional manner of resolving disputes and healing relationships is an essential part of living with our Potawatomi worldview. Peacemaking is at the center of how the Pokagon Potawatomi people have always worked together to maintain order, communicate clearly, and bring about resolution in difficult times of disagreement, heartache, and wrong doings. In villages across Turtle Island, there are teachings that explain our place amongst all of Creation and how we maintain a humble respect for the life forces around us. We’ve hosted many elders and knowledge keepers here over the years, and they continually remark to us on how beautiful, resilient, and progressive the Pokagon Potawatomi people are. Though the pandemic greatly limited interactions with the public during 2021, the Center hosted a blessing and gathering of pipe carriers, acknowledging the importance of Peacemaking for the future of the Pokagon Band. We also worked with the children and staff from Zagbëgon to introduce ideas about healthy relationships and nurturing deeper community connections. Introducing Peacemaking to the Department of Social Services helped us realize where we may benefit each other with additional support services for citizens and families. Moving forward into 2022, the Peacemaking Coordinator is looking forward to developing a greater relationship with departments within the Tribal Government to help spread awareness about Peacemaking and its benefits to citizens. By hosting gatherings, recruiting additional Circle Keepers, and helping the Court provide additional resources to the citizens, we look forward to even brighter days for our families and community.

Jason S. Wesaw Peacemaking Coordinator

POKÉGNEK BODÉWADMIK

Number of Hearing and Trials Scheduled Monthly, Total 178 12

JANUARY

FEBRUARY 15

MARCH

APRIL 16

MAY

JUNE 21

JULY 14

AUGUST 11

SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

4 11 12

Work of the Court

Other work of the Court involves: (1) meeting the needs of the Tribal Government because it is a federallyrecognized sovereign nation; and (2) providing an independent, fair forum for resolving disputes, conflicts and adherence to Tribal standards. Some of the duties and responsibilities are mandated by the Tribal Constitution. Other duties are the result of laws passed by Tribal Council. Yet, other duties are imposed by court rules, administrative orders or required by the inherent authority of the Judiciary as a branch of government. The Court meets these responsibilities by: (1) establishing general rules of practice and procedure before the courts; (2) collaborative governmental development for the implementation of the laws of the Band, Court Rules and Administrative Orders; and (3) the judicial processing of actual cases transferred or filed in the courts.

Judicial Processing of Cases

The Pokagon Band Tribal Court is a court of general jurisdiction. Tribal Court continues to develop with the growth in the community. The Judiciary and court personnel are committed to providing a court system that reflects the values, culture and spirit of Pokagon Band Tribal community. The following graphs help to illustrate case work by the Tribal courts. To safeguard the public and court staff because of the pandemic, the Court conducted hearings by telephone or video conferencing unless it was necessary to have the hearing in-person with proper protections.

POKÉGNEK BODÉWADMIK

2021 Types of Cases Filed, Total 325 131

A 81

B 80

C D

6 4

G H

A. REDISTRIBUTION OF PER CAPITA PAYMENTS FOR DELINQUENT CHILD SUPPORT B. CIVIL INFRACTION C. CHILD SUPPORT RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT D. FOREIGN JUDGMENT RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT E. FOREIGN SUBPOENA RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT F. FOREIGN JUDGMENT GARNISHMENT G. CRIMINAL H. CIVIL TRAFFIC VIOLATION I. ELECTION CHALLENGE J. LANDLORD TENANT K. GUARDIANSHIP AND CONSERVATORSHIP OF ADULT L. PERSONAL PROTECTION ORDER M. ADOPTION N. BANKRUPTCY DEDUCTION

Cases Filed and Originating Location DOWAGIAC CASINO CASES SOUTH BEND CASINO CASES HARTFORD CASINO CASES

22 36 46 59

NEW BUFFALO CASINO CASES

162

NON-GAMING CASES

Ongoing Cases

POKÉGNEK BODÉWADMIK

ONGOING CASES AT THE END OF 2020

633

NEW CASES OPENED IN 2021

325

NUMBER OF CASES CLOSED IN 2021

328

ONGOING CASES AT THE END OF 2021

630

NEW CASES OPENED IN 2022 AS OF JAN. 14, 2022

Number of Cases Filed Each Year 325

2021 285

2020

481

2019

569

2018 482

2017 448

2016

506

2015

531

2014 437

2013

518

2012 485

2011 402

2010 284

2009 219

2008 163

2007 2006

2005

2004

Programs, Service Statements, and Statistics

Center of History and Culture Gone Virtual

Virtual offerings have been explored by the Center of History and Culture, and attempted, on a variety of occasions in the last decade. Previously, those attempts were very hit and miss. Also, sharing our sacred culture and dear history over the internet has always raised a level of concern for the dignity of our traditions. Some stuff is just meant to be learned in person! However, social distancing gave us no choice and the decision was made to move forward with cultural workshops via Microsoft Teams, pending community stakeholder approval of course. After consulting with the Traditions and Repatriations Committee and informing them of our intentions, the committee agreed with moving forward and offering limited cultural teachings via Teams. Both the Culture Program and the Youth Culture Program organized and offered several virtual classes on a biweekly basis. We were fortunate to have several community elders agree to participate and offer their teachings. Also, we were especially fortunate to have reached our Out of Service Area citizens! Another common cheer of joy came from the citizens who felt more comfortable learning about their culture from the comfort of their home. The Center of History and Culture is working to offer regularly accessible digital recordings of permissible teachings into the future!

Director, Marcus Winchester

Basket, Artist Unknown

POKÉGNEK BODÉWADMIK

Zisbakwtokan

Tapping a portion of the maple trees on Rodger’s Lake campus has become a staple for the Center of History and Culture in the last half decade, and we weren’t going to let the pandemic stop that! Cultural Activities Coordinator, Nicole Holloway, worked tirelessly to offer citizens the chance to experience and learn about Maple Syrup and Sugar making despite the social distancing restrictions. Taps are offered to the citizens every year if they want to try their hand at boiling the sap from the maples in their yard. However, in 2021 we threw in more goodies with the taps. Nicole recorded the entire process of tapping the trees, boiling the sap into syrup, heating it more until it crystalizes into sugar, and everything else in between. With the help of IT, Nicole produced the videos herself and they were made available on digital platforms so that citizens could follow along even more closely from home. It also goes without saying that the syrup Nicole harvested on behalf of the community was suburb quality, per usual. The syrup was first offered to Elders, and then made available to remaining Pokagon Citizens. Great job, Nicole!

Nicole Holloway, Cultural Activities Coordinator Photograph provided by Leader Publications, Sarah Culton.

Kë gbéshmen

Our children took the hardest hit with the pandemic and the limitations that it put on all of us. Interaction with friends just isn’t the same when it’s not face to face, and virtual classrooms can take a hike! No strangers to dedication and commitment for our future generations, Youth Cultural Coordinator Rebecca Williams, and Youth Services Coordinator Daniel Stohrer, went straight to work with the Department of Education’s Susan Doyle and Kristie Bussler to begin planning for Kë gbéshmen (Lets Camp!) 2021. Hats off to Dan and Becca for the many obstacles that they, along with Susan and Kristie, hurdled! Just when things seemed smooth and the planning team had figured out how to safely offer camp, our beloved Task Force would throw us another wrench. Thankfully, the Task Force was willing to play catch. Dr. Morris, Deputy Chief Bradley, and several others from the Task Force worked hand in hand with the Kë gbéshmen planning crew to thoroughly consider the safest way to offer Kë gbéshmen for our youth. Tribal Attorney Paul Shagen offered his expertise and revised the Camp Code to the Kë gbéshmen planning crew’s, and the Task Force’s, expectations. Nerves were a bit high because this was going to be the Tribe’s first in-person sponsored event on property since social distancing had been put in place. Igwyien to the fine professionals that assisted us because it all paid off and Kë gbéshmen 2021 moved forward as planned! While it was very different, the youth were able to visit their relatives and friends while celebrating and learning about the beautiful Potawatomi way of life, just like it’s supposed to be. While attendance was reduced for safety, it allowed for a more intimate environment and the opportunity to try new activities and workshops for implementation in future years. Kë gbéshmen 2021 was certainly a success worthy of applause to the individuals in the Pokagon Government that honored the duties of their positions in assisting us, and of course to Dan, Becca, Susan, and Kristie for their commitment to the future generations of this great Nation.

New York Times Best Seller: “The Fire Keeper’s Daughter”

A lot of people picked up new books to read during the pandemic’s social distancing restrictions. A lot of those people picked up Angeline Boulley’s (Ojibwe) New York Time’s Best Seller, The Fire Keeper’s Daughter. It’s no wonder that the Culture Program’s Nicole Holloway thought it would be a great idea to collaborate with the Department Social Services (Casey Kasper-Welles) and the Department of Education (Kristie Bussler) to bring in Boulley to discuss her book, and she was right! Boulley is a former Director of the Department of Education for our tribe and resides locally. Boulley jumped on the opportunity and was delighted to accept the offer. Since the program was offered during October of 2021 and social distancing was still in effect on Pokagon property, we opted to host the event at Southwestern Michigan Community College because of their more relaxed restrictions. Despite the relaxed restrictions, Nicole worked with the Center’s Director to ensure that the event was held to the Pokagon Government’s standard of safety. The event was a huge success and Angeline spoke to a full house. Angeline honored the crowd with her humility before she spoke by acknowledging all the familiar Pokagon faces that she saw in the crowd, and how that made her more nervous than being a nationally celebrated author in-front of crowds many times larger. Not nervous in a bad way, but nervous because of the respect she holds for the many Pokagon Elders that showed up to hear her speak. Igwiyen Nicole, Casey, and Kristie!

Youth Mentorship Program

The community is very fortunate to have Mr. Daniel Stohrer serve the tribe as our Youth Services Coordinator. In his position, Dan serves as a mentor for youth in the tribe to ensure that they have access to all of the tribe’s resources for success, and most importantly access to resources to learn and experience their culture. Very early in the pandemic Dan made it a priority to advocate amongst his team the need to be innovative and find a way to serve the citizens despite the struggles of social distancing. His steadfast determination led him right back to where he started, but in a good way. Dan held firm that face to face interaction was the only meaningful way to fulfill his duties to the community and our youth. As such, Dan worked with the Center’s Director to identify the safest way possible to continue his home visits in person with social distancing in place. Dan’s commitment paid off and he began resuming in person visits outdoors, six feet apart, and with masks in place. Because of Dan’s courage to uphold what he felt was right on behalf of his youth mentee’s, Dan was able to provide and enhance meaningful relationships and connections with his mentee’s when they certainly needed it the most. The future of the tribe is blessed to have Dan working to ensure that the Youth Culture’s Mentorship Program participants aren’t restricted from the meaningful relationships that they deserve. Igwiyen, Dan!

Zagbëgon

Many have agreed that the health pandemic and its restrictions have been a blessing in disguise. For the Youth Culture Program this was especially true. Online participation dropped significantly once the warmer months came, and for obvious reasons. We don’t want to be behind a computer on a beautiful summer evening either. The limitations placed on what could be reasonably offered by the Youth Culture Program turned into a hyper focus on what we knew had been approved to move forward regardless. The blessing revealed itself as the summer came to an end and the Youth Cultural Coordinator, Rebecca Williams, was preparing for her cultural supplementation activities at Zagbëgon. Pre pandemic times, Becca only had enough time to spend an hour or so with the students three times a week. Zagbëgon being a passion of Becca’s, and with restrictions in place regarding the coming and going of visitors and their interaction between multiple classrooms at Zagbëgon, Zagbëgon’s Manager Elizabeth Rinehart and the Center’s Director agreed that Becca’s position would be best leveraged with increased hours in the classroom. This also allowed Becca to supplement and work side by side with Zagbëgon Elder and Nigan Mesho (Lead Granddaddy), Donald “Powwow” Sumners. This has allowed Becca the time needed to focus more in depth on creative methods to instruct cultural teachings to the precious students at Zagbëgon. Simultaneously she and Mesho Donny have engineered several genius ways to share culture with the students in a way that is meaningful to them. Since taking on her responsibility at Zagbëgon with commitment and dedication, Becca has provided countless hours of service to the students at Zagbëgon, whether school was in session or not. One fine example is the refurbishing of the long house benches that the students sit on during lodge time. Becca and her sister, Jennifer Marcussen, painted beautiful Neshnabe floral designs on the benches in their nonexistent free time. Thanks to them, the students at Zagbëgon will grow up with a rich understanding of what beautiful Neshnabe artwork entails whenever their childhood memories of Zagbëgon are relived. The future of our tribe appreciates your ingenious contributions and duty to your job and our children, Becca!

Traditional Medicine Program

Our ancestors were given the special gift of plant knowledge as a means of sustaining a healthy body and mind. Some knowledge of the medicinal uses of those plants were kept alive in some of our families, and unfortunately a lot of them weren’t. The pandemic ignited a wave of new interest amongst a lot of people for “alternative medicine.” That term is jarring because at the Center of History and Culture we believe Medicinal Plant Knowledge should be the standard of preventive care for all the families in our community. That’s why we are proud to have continued the Traditional Medicine Program for in person appointments for the entirety of 2021. Traditional Medicine Practitioner, Keith Smith (Red Lake Ojibwe), is no stranger to diseases having practiced Traditional Medicine at several Indian Health Center’s throughout the Great Lakes for the last decade of his life. In addition, Keith brought with him a standard to follow because of his familiarity with pandemic protocol from the other tribal communities that he currently helps. In addition, the Center’s Director worked with Dr. Morris, Chief Deputy Bradley, and Tribal Attorney Paul Shagen to draft guidance and waivers to permit sweat lodges, a critical ceremony belonging to our people that cleanses our bodies of toxins and trauma alike. The need was demonstrated, and met, as every month the men’s and women’s sweat lodge was in full attendance of community members seeking the balance, peace, and health that comes from our sweat lodges. It also needs to be noted that the Pokagon Government standards of pandemic health and safety were prioritized more than once by Keith and the Center’s Director when the sweat lodge was canceled due to a spike in cases regionally. We appreciate Keith’s dedication to helping the people stay healthy during the pandemic the way it was intended, with our sacred plant medicines. Basket, John Pigeon

POKÉGNEK BODÉWADMIK

National Historic Preservation Act

If there’s one thing that didn’t slow down during the pandemic, it was Section 106 Consultation requests! The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) requires federal agencies to ensure that their allocated federal dollars aren’t spent on anything that will damage or harm historical and cultural resources. The NHPA also says that (tribal resources permitting) on Indian Trust Land it is the duty of Tribal Nations to uphold this federal law on their lands that are held in Federal Trust, and even their ancestral lands, barring private property, as well. That process of ensuring and demonstrating that federal dollars won’t destroy any of our sacred and historical sites is called a Section 106 Consultation, and each tribe is to vest authority in a Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO) to enforce this law. Our enforcer is Officer Matthew Bussler. Matt takes his duty seriously, and the integrity of our tribe is in debt to him for doing so! Matt always has a neverending pile of consultation request letters to sort and provide responses for, pandemic or not. However, several agencies took advantage of the slower office activity to tackle large projects that in turn doubled Matt’s workload. Matt received an overwhelming number of requests to review legal binding documents called Programmatic Agreements. These agreements are between the Federal Agency and the Tribe to establish best practices for avoiding any kind of activity that would destroy our sites, and what to do if that were to tragically happen. Matt reviewed every word of every line of every page in every draft agreement sent his way. He dedicated twice the amount of review time as usual on consultation requests, and somehow found time to also work hand in hand with other THPOs in the state to fight the development of a marina in Saugatuck, Michigan at one of the last undisturbed river outlets into Lake Michigan, and to also fight Enbridge Line 5 under the straits of Mackinac. Igwiyen Matt, our sovereignty is in debt to the government-to-government precedence you set on behalf of our future generations!

Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act is yet another Federal Law that the tribe has vested Mr. Matthew Bussler the responsibility to oversee and enforce on behalf of the tribe. There are thousands of our ancestors packed into tiny bankers’ boxes inside dark messy storage rooms at several museums throughout the United States. Just like the Federal Agencies that choose to complete big projects that would end up on Matt’s desk as a result of pandemic related telework restrictions, several museums choose to finally follow Federal Law and work to transfer legal ownership of several of our ancestral remains in their possession over to the Tribe so that we can return them to our Mother Earth. The influx of museums reaching out and requesting us to consult on their Native American Human Remains collections is a good problem to have! It is piled on work that we are pleased and honored to accept in a bittersweet fashion. With the help of the Traditions and Repatriations Committee, Matt continued to bring our ancestors home throughout the pandemic. This community is blessed by Matt’s service to restore the reverence that is owed to our past relatives. This is even more admirable noting that Matt completed these critical endeavors as additional duties on top of the other additional federally mandated consultation duties stemming from the pandemic that are specifically for his actual job title. Great job, Matt! The community and our ancestors are proud of the noble work you conduct on behalf of our Nation’s dignity.

Department of Education So many people are searching for life’s “new normal.” Although 2021 could never be considered a year of normalcy, it did offer many opportunities for assessing how things are going, focusing on what should be celebrated, changing what can be improved, and finding joy in our blessings. The Department of Education offered academic support programs for students of all ages. The Higher Education Program returned to 100% funding eligibility, tutoring became available again, and programs that had been suspended or modified returned. By putting health and safety measures in place, the DoE was even able to partner with the Center of History and Culture and have a very successful and much needed Kë Gbéshmen (summer camp). In Fall 2021, to the delight of students and staff alike, Zagbëgon Early Learning and Development Academy returned to in-person learning.

Department of Education: Programs and Services

The Department of Education programs run on an academic year from August 1- July 31. The programs and services are designed to assist and support students of all ages and from locations near and far. For 2021, available funding was back. The big changes came in the methods of communicating and delivery of services. Technology allowed business to flow in the midst of social distancing. Email, phone, fax, credit card payments, and virtual meetings became typical modes of operation which many have found to be highly efficient and even preferred.

From left to right - Back Row: Educational Resource Specialist, Kristie Bussler; Director, Cathy Stone; Educational Associate K–8, Susan Doyle; Front Row: Administrative Assistant & Higher Education Program, Marisela Goodrich; Records & Information Coordinator: Skye Wallin; College & Career Readiness Associate, Adela Galvan

POKÉGNEK BODÉWADMIK

ėthë kenomagék W H E R E T E AC H I NG I S D ONE

Zagbëgon: An Early Learning and Development Academy

In April 2021, team members were beginning to be called back to work. Positions of those who did not come back were filled by August, and Zagbëgon gained their first Elder Cultural Associate, a team member formerly located in the Department of Education in the Administration building. A permanent language position is anticipated to begin in 2022. One of the first orders of business was to establish policies and procedures to maintain compliance with COVID regulations at that time. Before classes were going to open in person, measures such as distance markers, plexiglass dividers, reduced class sizes, and PPE had to be established. To help mitigate the reduced class size, and maintain service for as many as possible, an additional class was added to the existing two. To prepare the third classroom, some modifications were done, such as adding a counter, sink, and child sized toilet. The six teachers were redistributed and two were placed in each classroom. One of the Lead positions was changed to an Assistant to accommodate this change. Each classroom is allowed a maximum of 10 students and has remained at, or near capacity since the beginning of the school year in September. The latest numbers just before this report are: • Mtegwagké 8 Students • Peshkwa 10 Students • Zibé 9 Students

Loom Beaded Headband, Linda Yazel

POKÉGNEK BODÉWADMIK

With the beginning of the school year, came planning events. Gdenwémagnenanêk Mdagwéwen (Our Family Fun) events such as the Carnival, Harvest Day, Trunk-or-Treat (at the main campus), took place before another wave of COVID variants shut down in-person events. Beginning in January 2022, new plans for virtual events will take place. Once the restrictions for in-person events is lifted, the events will transition back to follow suit. • Orientation: 94 Participants • September Gdenwémagnenanêk Mdagwéwen: 128 Participants Staff: 14, Adults: 50, and Children: 64 Zibé – 12 Adults and 17 Children

Mtegwagké – 22 Adults and 21 Children

Peshkwa – 14 Adults and 19 Children

• Harvest Day: 56 Participants – Staff: 12, Adults: 16, and Children: 28 • Trunk-or-Treat: 86 Participants – Staff: 63 and Children: 23 • Honoring Our Veterans: 61 Participants – Staff: 25, Veterans: 13, and Children: 23 In 2021, Zagbëgon was awarded two grants. One was the Child Care Stabilization Grant to ensure resources to remain open during the pandemic. The second was the Institute of Museum and Library Services or IMLS grant. This grant is to support cultural learning aids such as games, books, and online resources. Plans are currently underway to develop a Potawatomi Language learning website geared for young children. Structurally, there have been some improvements for safety to the building including connecting a sidewalk from the one in the playground to the one outside the fence. This is to ensure a clear path for students when entering and exiting the building per the new COVID-19 procedures. In 2022, the plans are to add permanent awnings to protect from the elements and add additional parking to the existing lot utilizing BIA funds and assistance from Department of Housing.

. .. Ethe Bodwewadmimwat The Department of Ėthë Bodwéwadmimwat’s mission is to address the current state of our Bodwéwadmimwen through the processes of conservation, documentation and normalization of our written language and verbal sound. The process of addressing our current language state, is not only dependent on our community citizens, but also the community government that serves them. The Department of Language has and will continue to look for opportunities to promote language where and when possible, through the assistance of our fellow departments within the government. The normalization of our Bodwéwadmimwen can easily be initiated with our written language on buildings, flyers, posters, TV screens, etc. We can also begin the process of normalizing the verbal sound of our Bodwéwadmimwen in our everyday salutations to our co-workers and citizens in person or over the phone. Examples are below: • Bozho – hello • Mno waben – good morning • Bama miné/Bamapi – see you later • Migwėtth – formal thank-you From left to right - Advanced Language Specialist, Kyle Malott; Language Apprentice, DeJonay Morseau; Language Apprentice, Margaret Long; Director, Rhonda Purcell; Advanced Language Specialist, Carla Collins

POKÉGNEK BODÉWADMIK

• Igwiyen – informal thank-you You can find immediate language support to aid you in speaking basic Bodwéwadmimwen by utilizing our online language database: www.wiwkwebthegen.com/dictionary.

Grant Funding

Ėthë Bodwéwadmimwat is currently managing two awarded grants and and has been included in two others with the Prairie Band Potawatomi Language Program, and the Zagbëgon and Center of History and Culture: Cultural Program. • ANA: Elder’s Engagement Grant: Work with our fluent speaker to continue language transmission and documentation in-person and virtually • First Nations Grant: Purchasing language documentation technology • Prairie Band ANA Language Grant: Three year grant to fund language immersion weeks co-hosted by the Prairie Band and Pokagon Band • Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS): Potawatomi language learning materials for young children • MSU Grant: Simon Pokagon Birch Bark Book Project-A collaboration to update the birch book text utilizing the Learner’s Writing System

Ėthë bodéwadmimwat W HERE THEY S PEAK POTAWATOMI Sweetgrass Moccasins, Artist Unknown

Mango Project Phase One Phase One of the Mango Language Learning App Development project started in October 2019. Phase one consisted of ten chapters with accompanied corresponding units within each chapter. • Chapter 1: Identity and Origins • Chapter 2: Small Talk and Weather • Chapter 3: Activities and Time • Chapter 4: Locations and Places • Chapter 5: Speaking Potawatomi and Schedules • Chapter 6: Life Skills and Leisure Activities • Chapter 7: Calendar and Birthdays • Chapter 8: Professions and Residences • Chapter 9: Colors and Animals • Chapter 10: Buying, Picking, and Cooking On Tuesday, November 30, 2021 the department of Ėthë Bodwéwadmimwat publicly launched the final chapter #10 to conclude Phase One of our Mango partnership. Phase One took countless hours of language identification and grammar development by our Advanced Language Specialists, Carla Collins and Kyle Malott. Carla and Kyle spent many hours recording audio, reviewing audio and reviewing text for all the content present in the ten chapters.

Basket, Artist Unknown

POKÉGNEK BODÉWADMIK

During this lengthy and arduous process, many skills were learned and implemented by our Phase One Mango project champion, Carla Collins. She worked with our assigned Mango linguist to identify best learning practices for projected students in classrooms or in the home settings. Carla was instrumental in the technological wordifcation and fragmentation development on the backside of the platform for each individual unit built into each of the ten chapters.

Phase Two To begin in 2022, Phase Two: Curriculum Development will include the following: • Finalized Chapter Curriculum a. Full curriculum outline for Potawatomi Chapter 1 and breakdown into multiple lesson plans covering Chapter 1 content b. Completed lesson plans which all include various elements, such as: c. High-quality, user-tested content developed with the help of a dedicated Mango Languages linguist and in collaboration with Potawatomi language experts d. Guidance on how to deliver the curriculum/lessons, if requested by the Pokagon Band • Curriculum Templates for independent further development a. Full set of lesson plan templates for many different types of teaching needs and settings b. Planning elements required for further content additions Depth of Knowledge (DOK) levels, etc. and how to best implement them

Virtual Language Learning Series

2021 forced Ėthë Bodwéwadmimwat to look at how we deliver language learning opportunities to Pokagon Citizens that did not follow our typical face-to-face instruction methods. Our team accepted this endeavor and strategized a plan to evolve our services and expand our reach of language instruction to our present and potential citizen student base. Advanced Language Specialists, Carla Collins and Kyle Malott, ventured into unknown instruction territory and utilized technology and web streaming to create virtual classrooms from their own living rooms. As a result of their combined hardwork, Ėthë Bodwéwadmimwat was able to resume language learning sessions with Pokagon Citizens at a reach that was non-existent prior to 2021 and far exceeded any reach we have ever experienced within the range of the 10 county service area. Virtual language learning has afforded our program the ability to connect with Pokagon citizens from Oregon to Massachusetts. The ability to attract Pokagon Citizens across the country has enabled the Pokagon Band to share our heritage language with citizens who may have not ever had the opportunity to experience otherwise.

Number of Users: Mango | Potawatomi Lessons 2020 JANUARY, FEBRUARY, & MARCH

732

2020 APRIL, MAY, & JUNE

700

2020 JULY, AUGUST, & SEPTEMBER

543

2020 OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, & DECEMBER

563

2021 JANUARY, FEBRUARY, & MARCH

557

2021 APRIL, MAY, & JUNE

614

2021 JULY, AUGUST, & SEPTEMBER

538

2021 OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, & DECEMBER 2022 JANUARY, FEBRUARY, & MARCH

578 198

Number of Lessons Studied: Mango | Potawatomi 2020 JANUARY, FEBRUARY, & MARCH

3,256

2020 APRIL, MAY, & JUNE

4,654

2020 JULY, AUGUST, & SEPTEMBER

4,767

2020 OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, & DECEMBER

3,194

2021 JANUARY, FEBRUARY, & MARCH

2,988

2021 APRIL, MAY, & JUNE

3,666

2021 JULY, AUGUST, & SEPTEMBER

10,670

2021 OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, & DECEMBER 2022 JANUARY, FEBRUARY, & MARCH

POKÉGNEK BODÉWADMIK

4,799 1,193

Virtual Language Student Locations WHITE LAKE, MI SALEM, OR

CLINTON, MI TOLEDO, OH WABENO, WI

NORWOOD, MA

CAMEL, IN AVON, IN

LAFAYETTE, CO ROCKY FORD, CO

RANDLEMAN, NC

CHICAGO, IL

TOMBALL, TX

COLOMA, MI DOWAGIAC, MI DOUGLAS, MI NILES, MI PORTAGE, MI HAMMOND, IN MISHAWAKA, IN WALKERTON, IN

Key Performance Indicators Virtual Language Learning Series

CITIZEN LANGUAGE REQUESTS/CLASSES

300

OUTSIDE LANGUAGE REQUESTS (OTHER TRIBAL)

NUMBER OF VIRTUAL CLASSES

250

OUTSIDE LANGUAGE REQUESTS (NON-TRIBAL)

NUMBER OF INDIVIDUAL ATTENDEES

190

GOVERNMENT LANGUAGE REQUESTS/CLASSES

285

Department of Facilities It has been a busy year for the Facility Department with changes in staffing and protocols due to COVID. I met with the different department leads and was updated on some of the projects completed for the year of 2021. The maintenance team members on furlough were called back to work by early February 2021. There were a few mentionable projects completed last year including adding a commodities cooler in January of 2021 and remodeling the kitchen at Elders Hall. The maintenance department was responsible for winterizing the campgrounds at Crystal Springs. Housekeeping brought back furloughed employees by March 2021. Employees responsible for housekeeping duties at PHS were trained and provided with PPE which included N95 masks, gloves, eye wear, and full suit gear if needed. The Housekeeping staff worked to maintain employee wellness through use of masks, gloves, and the daily health assessment. Housekeeping worked hard to maintain the health and wellness of all government employees and tribal members by following COVID cleaning protocols. The grounds crew were called back in full from furlough by the Fall of 2021. One project completed by the grounds crew last year was the build and repair of picnic tables and benches for tribal property. They were also responsible for outdoor clean up and maintenance for the 32-acre Crystal Springs campground. I joined the Facility Department as the new Director replacing Harry Wesaw in 2021. I am looking forward to new projects, improvements, and growth of the Tribe for 2022. Director, Cecil Wilson

wéna'ikëgéthêk ONE S W H O FI X T H I NGS

POKÉGNEK BODÉWADMIK

Congratulations on Your Retirement and Migwėtth for Your Service to the Pokagon Band!

The beautiful gifts of warmth and protection offer comfort and support through a blanket of gratitude that symbolizes the spirit of the Creator’s arm wrapped around the one receiving such a powerful piece of culture as a part of mno bmadsen. It is a part of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi tradition to gift a blanket as a person walks into retirement. We are extending life’s well wishes for good health and happiness to Harry Wesaw on his upcoming path.

From left to right - Chief of Police, William Lux; Harry Wesaw; Director of Social Services, Mark Pompey

Sugar Bush Homemade Tabs

Department of Finance The Department of Finance has been under some restructuring in the last few years and 2021 was again a year with many changes departmentally. A new Director of Accounting was hired at the end of May 2021 and then the work began of filling the department’s various vacancies as to assist in the work of administering CARES programing for the Band’s COVID relief and response effort. As we enter a new fiscal year the focus is on process improvement efforts, trainings of new directors and new staff, and filing all remaining departmental vacancies. Below are the 2021 preliminary numbers for the Band by Department. These numbers will be final after the annual audit is conducted.

From left to right - Back Row: Courier, Shipping & Receiving Clerks, Michael Engen; Senior Accounting Analysts, Joseph Cooper; Temporary Team Member, Cliff Allen; Purchasing Specialist, Michael Newcomer; Middle Row: Senior Accounting Analysts, Santiago Gallegos; Inventory Control Specialist, Kristie Partridge; Accounting Clerk, Michelle Genereaux; Director of Accounting, Michael Dixon Front Row - Accounting Clerk, Cailin Fisher; Senior Accounting Analysts, Charline Pethick; Accounting Clerk, Sara Tyrakowski

Tribal Fund Distribution

shonya ėthë kowabdëmwat W HERE THEY WATC H OVER MONEY

POKÉGNEK BODÉWADMIK

CITIZEN SERVICES

31%

CAPITAL PROJECT

SOVEREIGN SERVICES

21%

CARES

32%

SUPPORT SERVICES

14%

Expenditures by Departments 34,661,914.09

CARES CAPITAL PROJECT ADMINISTRATION/ RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

2,849,176.88 4,071,695.43 11,045,463.52

BCCC’S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATIONS TRIBAL COURTS EDUCATION

1,607,251.61 350,158.42 899,333.32 3,501,243.78

FACILITIES

1,520,183.69

FINANCE

1,305,123.35

GENERAL COUNSEL

1,575,638.64 15,888,216.47

HEALTH SERVICES HOUSING HUMAN RESOURCES INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

2,876,058.59 472,843.12 3,969,203.76

LANGUAGE & CULTURE

1,478,315.00

NATURAL RESOURCES

1,235,917.95

TRIBAL POLICE SOCIAL SERVICES

15,888,216.47

8,795,116.71 11,600,939.47

Pokagon Health Services The mission of Pokagon Health Services is to improve the health, wellbeing, and quality of life of all patients by empowering them through a lifelong commitment to wellness. When the year started, our main goal was to get back on track with providing services to Citizens as we had done pre-COVID pandemic. We didn’t know where exactly the pandemic would take us, but we were hopeful to see a reduction in cases with implementation of the COVID vaccine in December 2020. PHS rolled out the vaccine as soon as supplies were delivered to our door and we ended up administering 6646 doses, with 2821 fully vaccinated individuals, and 683 having received a third or booster dose by the end of 2021. Vaccines were not only administered to our Citizens and their families, but we also vaccinated Pokagon Band employees and community residents, we shared vaccines with other tribal health centers in Michigan and took a team down to Indianapolis to administer vaccines to indigenous people residing in the area. And indeed, over the summer, we saw very low positivity rates, which allowed us to regain some sense of normalcy. In January and February, we were able to welcome back furloughed staff and see the return of greatly needed programs such as Optical Director, Priscilla Gatties and the Wellness Center, and to increase availability of Transportation services. We continued to keep our main clinic separate from our COVID respiratory clinic and worked with agencies to bring in extra staff to support our COVID programs so that our current team could focus on the primary care needs of our patients. Optical opened its doors back up as did our Wellness Center, although with limited hours. Telehealth services have become H E ALT H C L I NI C an important part of our programming, particularly in Behavioral Health, as it allows access to more patients, while we continue to offer face to face visits for those who need them.

mshkëkiwgëmëk

POKÉGNEK BODÉWADMIK

Mshkiki Community Clinic was a large project that started in late 2020 and while construction was completed in April 2021, it took time to equip and fully staff the new clinic. However, despite hurdles, we managed to officially start seeing patients in October. Mshkiki offers PHS the unique opportunity to serve the residents of Benton Township and Benton Harbor for Medical and Dental needs while generating revenue that can be put back into programs and services for Citizens. PHS also had a successful recruitment year, as we were able to bring on board family physician Dr. Delphine Colar to join the clinic team in July. Dr. Colar completed her residency at the University of Arizona as a family physician. She obtained her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Marian University in Indianapolis and holds a Master of Science in Chemistry from Jackson State University. Dr. Colar is a Native Navajo and has expressed a strong desire to serve Native American communities. We also added Dr. Delphine Colar

Dr. Gadia Peabody to the team at Mshkiki. He is a dentist who also specializes in prosthodontics, and we are currently exploring how we can use his unique skills to provide specialized care to both PHS and Mshkiki patients. All in all, PHS saw around 20 new hires to fill either full-time, parttime, or temporary positions in 2021. While pandemic conditions started to worsen in late fall and winter, particularly with the Delta and Omicron variants, PHS continued to provide its full range of patient care services. To boost staff morale, the department held holiday themed employee appreciation days and a door decorating contest that staff had fun participating in and patients got to enjoy as well. Looking back, we have learned many things about how best to serve our patients while continuing to work through the COVID pandemic. The PHS team has remained flexible and resilient, and we thank them for their continued service to our Citizens and patients. Let’s look to 2022 as a year to build on what we have already achieved and continue to serve our patients where they need us.

Department Highlights Behavioral Health • Reengaged Home-Based Counseling Services and began utilizing the South Bend Administrative Office to meet increased demand for services throughout all age groups. • Created a web-based interactive tool that allows children and parents to increase their engagement with telehealth services. • Continued with an enhanced Social Media Campaign, www.recoveryourpurpose.org, a web-based landing page that provides a contact link for those directly or indirectly struggling with the effects of illicit substances and alcohol. This enhancement has allowed our Peer Recovery services to see an increased number of citizens actively involved with their quest for sobriety.

Clinic • Continued to provide a full range of Primary Care services while supporting a robust COVID pandemic response program including COVID testing, treatment and vaccinations. • As in previous years, we saw substantial growth in the number of new patients served. Despite the pandemic, the clinic had 262 new patients established with us in 2021. • Beginning Febraury 2021, we began tracking visits in our respiratory clinic. From February 2021 to December 2021, we had 1,435 visits to the respiratory clinic. • Beginning September 2021, our clinic began tracking the number of phone calls our nurses, medical assistants, and patient registration handle each month. Combined, these members of our clinic team averaged 5,193 calls per month from September to December 2021. • In collaboration with pharmacy and behavioral health, the clinic continues to grow its medication assisted treatment program for patients with opioid use disorder. • Some medical providers were trained on, and began providing, treatment for Hepatitis C infection.

POKÉGNEK BODÉWADMIK

Community Outreach • Created the Mno Mithëm – Good/Healthy Food webpage, a collaborative collection of recipes, videos, and links to a variety of healthy Native American Nutrition resources shared with the permission of other Tribal Organizations across the country.

Dental • Continued to provide a range of Dental Services through the COVID pandemic, assisting 910 more patients than in 2020 with the same number of providers.

• Reinstated several events/programs with some safety restrictions while continuing to combat COVID. Including the Baby Sitting course, a drive through Baby Celebration, monthly news articles on various health topics and Harvest of the Month, menu reviews by our Registered Dietician for Elder’s lunches and Zagbëgon, Light the Way 5K, blood drives, and Kë Gbéshmen lice checks for overnight camps.

• Dental Staff helped in the design, organization, and opening of new Mshkiki Clinic.

• Implemented a trial for Libre Monitors to measure their effectiveness with glucose testing among our patients with Diabetes. • Worked with Michigan Tribal Food Access Program and Walmart Foundation Program, which allowed us to partner with Commodities food program and emergency food program services, to provide more fresh and frozen fruits and veggies with distributions along with portion control and nutrition education packets throughout the year.

Optical • Completed certification through Prevent Blindness to provide certified vision screenings for children and complete vision screenings for the students at Zagbëgon. • Added Europa Eyewear frame lines to our frame selection. • Provided anti-fog safety goggles to providers as a COVID safety measure.

Other Key Performance Indicators for PHS 2021

2020

2019

TOTAL PHS VISITS

32,041

27,002

34,287

PRC ELIGIBLE PATIENTS

1,501

1,690

1,504

PRC CLAIMS PAID

5,235

5,368

7,228

PHARMACY NUMBER OF PRESCRIPTIONS

54,467

54,874

53,502

TRANSPORTATION MILES DRIVEN

40,475

58,306

110,306

TOTAL BENEFIT APPLICATIONS

446

516

486

WELLNESS CENTER VISITS

1,618

2,319

11,494

BILLING REVENUE

$6,963,186

$5,529,891

$4,926,333

Pharmacy • Maintained 79 people on blister pack compliance program. • Medicare Part D Sponsorship program brought in an additional $641,000 in revenue for PHS. • Participated in negotiations with the State of Michigan that resulted in an agreement between the state and 12 Tribal Nations to bill Medicaid at the All-Inclusive Rate, which promises to result in increased revenue from Pharmacy Billing. • Assisted the Community Outreach team with the trial of Libre Monitors for patients with Diabetes. Purchased/Referred Care • Kept claim processing turnaround to under 30 days on average. • Processed a total of 5,451 PRC and Clinic Referrals. Transportation • Brought two transporters back from furlough to be able to provide more services to patients with transportation needs. • Implemented a Transportation Needs policy to allow for transport of referred visits to Pokagon Band Citizens. Wellness • Collaborated with the clinic to provide care to 23 patients over the course of 500 sessions. • Helped several participants complete their first 5K and 10K runs as well as numerous outdoor events. • Assisted over 1,600 individuals with preventative medicine and quality of life directives. Mshkiki Community Clinic • Completed build out of clinic, hired, credentialed, and trained new staff, and performed all tasks necessary to prepare clinic for opening, i.e. stocking of necessary supplies, installation of IT equipment, electronic dental and medical record set up, etc.

Beaded Barette, Unknown

• Mshkiki Community Clinic opened doors to patients in October 2021. • Served community dental and medical needs by seeing patients without a significant wait time.

POKÉGNEK BODÉWADMIK

2021 PHS Visits - 32,041 Total Visits 6,342

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

14,929

CLINIC 4,357

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

4,052

DENTAL 1,266

OPTICAL

768

TRANSPORTATION MSHKIKI COMMUNITY CLINIC

327

2021 Billing Revenue -$6,963,186 Total Revenue $789,450

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

$1,545,386

CLINIC COMMUNITY OUTREACH

$48,263 $373,135

DENTAL OPTICAL

$77,515 $3,900,449

PHARMACY MSHKIKI COMMUNITY CLINIC FWCR WELLNESS CENTER

$27,303 $201,685

Department of Housing & Community Development Despite working amidst a global pandemic and with only one third of our team (four persons) for most of the year, the Housing & Community Development Department provided the following services to Pokagon Citizens: • 89 Families were provided with Tribal Housing at Edawat Villages, Watervliet, and Paw Paw • 11 Families leased Pokagon Band lots at Dowagiac Edawat for personal owned homes • 64 Citizens leased space at Chinodin Self-Storage • 1,700+ Monthly Statements and Rental Payments processed • 14 Citizen Families (55% increase from last year) purchased a home using Down Payment Assistance • 43 Households received Monthly Rental Assistance • 21 Households (60% increase from last year) utilized Indian Health Service Well and Septic Program

wigwamen maktthéwithêk O N ES WHO WO RK W ITH HOUS ES Maple Sugar Trough and Paddles, Artist Unknown

POKÉGNEK BODÉWADMIK

Fifth Wheel RVs provided temporary lodging for Citizens.

New Temporary Lodging Facility, Byéwgëmëk – a place you come to stay at located on M-51 in Dowagiac, Michigan.

Community Development Projects

COVID-19 Response

• Completed Tribal Transportation Plan

• Administered CARES Act Programs, Rental Assistance, Mortgage Assistance, Cleaning Supply Reimbursement

• Drafted Long Range Transportation Plan • Assisted with Preprepartion of Land Plan

• Renovating M-51 building for Temporary Lodging Facility

• Completed Crystal Springs Property Assessment

• Acquired Eight Rental Units to provide alternative housing

• Demolished Old Court and Hartford House in front of casino

• Had Local Hotel Rooms for Quarantine Shelter needs

• Had 20 Fifth Wheel RV’s available for Quarantine/Shelter needs • Temporary Lodging Reimbursement program launched

Department of Natural Resources The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) continued to protect environmental quality and the natural resources on tribal properties during 2021. DNR programming this year ranged from environmental planning and water quality testing to trail maintenance, forestry, prescribed burning, invasive species management, and wildlife surveys. During 2021, the DNR applied for and received treatment in a similar manner as a state (TAS) status for EPA’s Clean Water Act (CWA) 319 program on tribal trust lands in Michigan and Indiana, as well as extending TAS authority for the Band’s CWA 106 program to tribal trust properties in Indiana. The application process began in 2016 and required the DNR to create an Assessment Report on the status of water quality in tribal water bodies, a five-year program Management Plan, and a TAS package. Now that the program has been approved, the DNR will receive annual funding to create a program to address nonpoint source (NPS) pollution that is impacting tribal water bodies in Michigan and Indiana. Future efforts will include installing best management practices to reduce stormwater runoff on developed tribal properties and building partnerships with organizations that are working on NPS pollution off tribal lands. The DNR continued to monitor water quality in tribal water bodies and this year also sampled fish in watersheds with tribal water bodies in them to test for mercury and PCBs. Based on EPA and State limits, in parts per million mercury content, the number of meals that are recommended per month depends on the size of the fish, species, and, in some instances, the location where the fish was captured (Figure on page 62). PCBs results also trend towards being higher in larger fish, especially in some of the salmonid and esocid species. The results presented are preliminary and future work is planned to obtain a more robust data set. Although these recommended meal restrictions are in place, mercury and PCBs concentrations have been slowly lowering over the past couple of decades and should be reflected in fish tissues as time continues. As a rule of thumb, the DNR suggests catch and release of large game fish to reduce exposure to high levels of mercury and PCBs as well as to enhance reproductive capacity for future generations.

kowabdanawa odë kė THEY WATCH OV ER THIS LAND

POKÉGNEK BODÉWADMIK

Natural resources management took many forms this year with much of the work completed on tribal properties being driven by the grants that are within the DNR. Non-native species, including, but not limited to, tree of heaven, reed canary grass, purple loosestrife, and phragmites were targeted for reduction on 49 acres of tribal properties. Reducing non-native species allows for native species to be able to flourish in the areas where non-natives have been removed. Further, the DNR planted native seed mixes on 19 acres of tribal properties to enhance native species and create more food sources for pollinators and other wildlife. Aquatic invasive species removal stations were placed at Rodgers Lake and Sassafras Lake during 2021, while another unit will be placed at the Peavine Street boat launch in 2022. These units help boaters by providing tools for them to remove any plant materials on their watercraft, thereby reducing the possibility of spreading non-native aquatic species between water bodies. DNR also continued the protection of ash trees on tribal properties through the use of biological controls and treatment of living black ash trees. The DNR utilized a tribal wildlife grant to monitor turtles throughout 2021, using radiotelemetry and turtle dogs to determine what habitats were preferentially used by eastern box turtles. Also, with this grant, the DNR issued 1,233 plush turtles to tribal citizens (Figure on page 61). These plush turtles are still available, as the DNR has enough for all tribal citizens to receive a plush turtle. If you are a tribal citizen and haven’t requested a plush turtle yet, give the DNR office a call at (269) 782-9602 to find out more details.

The DNR also resumed monitoring mnomen through two different grants within the department during 2021. Monitoring occurred along creeks with known mnomen beds and in collaboration with federal agencies. Although mnomen grew well in some locations during 2021, there was a lot of ghost rice and there were also some mnomen beds that were negatively impacted by heavy rain events that occurred throughout the spring and early summer. The DNR will continue to monitor mnomen to better determine the health of the mnomen beds over multiple years. The DNR continued issuing hunting, fishing, and gathering licenses this year through modified formats, where citizens were able to request license paperwork, either via postal mail, email or in-person appointment. Following completed paperwork, citizens were able to pick up licenses or the DNR also offered to mail them to citizens, a service which the DNR is continuing into 2022. A total of 222 licenses were issued in 2021 allowing citizens to access tribal properties for cultural and traditional purposes. The DNR encourages anyone to send in suggestions via the departmental email, PokagonDNR@PokagonBand-nsn.gov, or give us a call.

Distribution of Plush Turtles in 2021 - Total 1,233 403

AGE 0 – 5

391

AGE 6 – 10 271

AGE 11 – 18 AGE 19 – 30 AGE 31 – 5 5 AGE 56+

52 62 54

Photographs on page 59 and 60 were provided by South Bend-Elkhart Audubon Society collaborator, Carol Goodall.

Mercury Results in Fish Sampled - 2021 0.60

1 meal per month

MERCURY IS REPORTED IN PARTS PER MILLION

0.50

0.40

2 meals per month

0.30

0.20

4 meals per month 8 meals per month

0.10

12 meals per month

0.00

16 meals per month 0

FISH LENGTH MEASURED IN INCHES

POKÉGNEK BODÉWADMIK

Fish Species BLUEGILL

HYBRID BLUEGILL

BROWN BULLHEAD

KING SALMON

BROWN TROUT

LAKE CHUB SUCKER

COHO SALMON

LARGEMOUTH BASS

COMMON CARP

NORTHERN PIKE

COMMON SHINER

PUMPKINSEED

CRAPPIE

ROCK BASS

CREEK CHUB

STEELHEAD

GIZZARD SHAD

SPOTTED SUCKER

GOLDEN REDHORSE

WHITE SUCKER

GREEN SUNFISH

YELLOW PERCH

The figure on page 62 indicates results from fish sampled within the watersheds where tribal water bodies are located.

Department of Social Services Our mission is to assist families in maintaining a strong family in a healthy community structure. The scope of work for the department is to provide assistance in solving problems experienced by children, parents, and the elderly in the majority community. Those receiving services include tribal citizens who request or on whose behalf services are requested. All those individuals who are members of federally recognized tribes residing within the service delivery area will receive information and referral. Specific grant programs may be restricted to prescribed eligibility criteria, and citizenship status in the Pokagon Band.

ėthë nadmagék WHERE HEL P IN G IS D ONE

POKÉGNEK BODÉWADMIK

Basket, Artist Unknown

New for 2021: Victim Services Programs 2021 ACCOMPLISHMENTS • A victim services section was developed in the department to better assist those in need • Cultural Specialist to provide cultural support to victims of crime • Domestic Violence Case Manager to re-engage the community with pre-pandemic/pandemic services • Kids First Sake Manager to return to pre-pandemic structure and focus, without filling multiple roles • OVC Project Coordinator working on a community assessment, which will give more insight into community needs • Victims Services Supervisor to manage each program and the 10 different funding streams in 2021 COVID Grocery Card Program 2021 ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Program implementation during 2021. A different version of the program was facilitated by Information Technology in 2020 • Program covered the months of March - December • Applications submitted-2490 unduplicated applications submitted • Applications processed-14681 cumulative applications processed

Departmental Organizational Chart DIRECTOR

Mark Pompey

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

CARES/EAP

Michele Winchester

OUTREACH WORKER

CARES/WC

Michelle Piper-Fisher

Barbara Vincent

Arynn Foerster

OFFICE FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES

VETERANS SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR AND 2021 CARES/EAP

Maria Isa Solis

Ann Morsaw-Banghart

VICTIM SERVICES SUPERVISOR

FAMILY SERVICES SUPERVISOR

Casey Kasper-Welles

Karen Mikosz

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MANAGER AND CASE WORKER

KIDS FIRST MANAGER

Samantha Hickok

Kristine Johnson OFFICE FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME PROJECT COORIDNATOR

CULTURAL SPECIALIST FOR VICTIMS SERVICES

INDIAN CHILD WELFARE WORKER

Nicole Sailor

Tori Moore

FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTIONS WORKER

ICWA CASE AIDE AND WC

Ray Bush

Christynn Black

Marie Willis

Andrea Jackson

COMMODITIES SITE SUPERVISOR

ELDERS SPECIALIST AND CARES/WC

David Halquist

Beth Warner

COMMODITIES SITE ASSISTANT

Mike Finney 66

Erin Burgraf

POKÉGNEK BODÉWADMIK

ELDERS COOK

Michelle Thompson

ELDERS ASSISTANT

Lisa Adair

CARES/EAP

Brittany Hausmann

CARES/EAP

Ciera Johnson

CARES/EAP

Samantha Townsend

COVID Emergency Services Assistance Program 2021 ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Program implementation during 2021, as a result of COVID • Program covered the entire year of 2021. Although it was similar to what was provided in 2020, it did have some unique details • Applications submitted: 8,105 • Application approved with documented Covid-19 impact: 5,617 Pokagon Band COVID Helpline 2021 ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Program implementation during 2021, as a result of COVID • Program covered the entire year of 2021 • Total Calls: 242 COVID Doorbell Reimbursement 2021 ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Program implementation during 2021, as a result of COVID This was similar to another program facilitated by Information Technology in 2020 • Applications approved: 136

Shaker, Linda Yazel

2021 Selected Program Highlights • Low Income Heat and Energy Assistance LIHEAP: Provides cooling/heating assistance payment for citizens within the services delivery area. A total of 420 Pokagon households received assistance in 2021. • Pokagon Band Commodities Program (USDA): Distributes monthly food supplies to Native American individuals and families within the services delivery area. A total of 408 households benefited from the program in 2021. As a result of COVID all monthly orders have been delivered 2021. Holiday food distribution 2,025 boxes/hams were provided. • Child Care Development Funds CCDF: Provides childcare assistance for parents participating in an approved educational plan, employed or training for employment within the services delivery area. For 2021 cumulatively 360 children received assistance. As a result of COVID we were able to continue to help families during several months even if the child didn’t receive care. • Pokagon Band Burial Fund Code Burial Fund: The purpose of this Burial Fund is to provide financial assistance with funeral and related expenses at the time of death of a Pokagon Band member, their spouse, their non-member parents, and their children who were eligible for enrollment with the Pokagon Band. For 2021 the department processed 49 burial requests. • Supplemental Heating Program: The purpose of these funds is to provide seasonal heating assistance for Tribal Citizens. Assistance was provided for the entire citizenship. For 2021 a total of 140 households received assistance. • Emergency Services Initiative: Through this program Tribal Citizens can access assistance to help with an emergency that is impacting everyday life. Car repairs, utility disconnects, eviction notices are examples of issues brought forward. For 2021 a total of 172 households were assisted. • Title VI: This program serves meals five days a week to Pokagon Band Elders. 8,313 meals were served in 2021. Of that total 7,142 were delivered as a result of COVID. • Indian Child Welfare Act ICWA: The department takes an active role in these cases through the provision of a variety of outreach services, as well as working closely with state and private agencies. Outreach services, through the Department of Social Services, work in conjunction with community prevention services to ensure continued family progress and stabilization. During 2021 the department had 743 cumulative cases, 12,536 collateral contacts and 641 ICWA inquiries for eligibility confirmation. Basket, Christine Morseau

POKÉGNEK BODÉWADMIK

• Victim Services: Our goal is to help create a violence-free community where survivors are supported, and perpetrators are held accountable for their actions. For 2021 the department had 326 cumulative project youth and 247 cumulative primary adults.

2021 Units of Services COVID HELPLINE COVID DOORBELL COVID GROCERY CARD MEDICARE PART B ELDERS STIPENDS SAP EMERGENCY SERVICES COVID EAP ELDERS MEALS CHILD WELFARE BURIALS FOOD DISTRUBUTION CHILDCARE – CHILDREN HEATING/COOLING

Pokagon Tribal Police Again, the 2021 year for Tribal Police was trying due to COVID. Many things started to get back to normal, but many things are becoming second nature as well with COVID still lingering with us. Tribal Police use to have quarterly meetings for the entire department. We have not been able to have the entire department together since COVID started. Online video meetings have become the norm and have been sectioned down to different divisions instead of everyone together. As with everyone else, it creates some minor communication issues. Deputy Chief Mike Bradley continues to facilitate the Health Task Force overseeing the current COVID pandemic. Key players in the Task Force have been the Director of PHS, Dr. Morris, Ed Williams, the Government Manager and the HR Director. Many other Directors have assisted and been along with this rollercoaster of a virus. The Task Force continues to monitor the current environment as it relates to COVID and offer suggestions to Tribal Council in order to keep all citizens and employees safe.

Tribal Police 2021 Statistics

mzhenkiwnenwêk P O L ICE

POKÉGNEK BODÉWADMIK

COMPLAINTS TAKEN

3,941

TRAFFIC STOPS

1,375

MILES DRIVEN

506,534

TRIBAL CITATIONS

ASSISTANCE TO OTHER AGENCIES

2,546

INDIANA CITATIONS

ALARMS

185

MICHIGAN CITATIONS

350

COMMUNITY RESOURCE ACTIVITIES

251

FEDERAL ARRESTS

CASINO MONEY ESCORTS

327

FELONY ARRESTS

191

PROPERTY INSPECTIONS

21,860

MISDEMEANOR ARRESTS

327

VERBAL WARNINGS

1,255

The Tribal Police Department was very excited to welcome Matt Orvis to the Tribal Police Department this year. Matt is a Tribal Citizen and had been working with Facilities. Matt has tossed around being a police officer for awhile and finally after several meetings decided to take the leap. Matt had to go through 16 weeks of training through the Kalamazoo Valley Community College Region Michigan Police Academy. Police are para-military, so there were things such as physical training and defensive tactics that tend to be physically demanding on the body similar to boot camp in the military. Many courses from Criminal Investigations to Emergency Vehicle Operations were taught. Once complete, Matt had to take and pass a state licensing test before being able to be a licensed police officer. Matt of course passed and we are very happy to have him as part of our family. Many pieces of equipment are very important these days for police work, but none hardly more important than body cameras. Body cameras for police tell the entire story of any situation that may happen, thus leaving out any questions. We are happy that Tribal Council felt the same way and supported the purchase of body cameras for every officer in the department. The Police Department had already implemented a Body Cam program, but we added to it with being able to have every officer have one. The Police Department has officers on area County SWAT teams. We were proud to be able to expand some of those special teams opportunities by adding one of our Conservation Officers, Kevin Modlin to the Cass County Dive Team. Kevin had to go through the proper Dive trainings and become certified to be able to be on the team. We are very proud that Kevin has accomplished that certification and is working with Cass County’s dive team. The Police Department also teamed up this year with The First Responder’s Children’s Foundation. This has been a great program as we were able to help supply backpacks to every Pokagon student that needed one. The program was also expanded for different give-a-ways of everything from footballs and Frisbees to toys for kids. At Christmas, we also helped in giving toys to anyone that wanted them to help toward Christmas during the Christmas basket pick-ups.

The Department also participated in “No Shave November” again. This is a campaign to bring cancer awareness to the forefront. Officers are able to grow facial hair and also take in donations to help someone that is suffering from cancer. We were proud to be able to give a gift of $3,145.00 and donate that to Heather Pauley, a tribal citizen who has been facing that challenge. A huge thank you to Dr. Morris for helping us with this campaign as well. Lastly, we continue to work on our Indiana initiative of becoming a recognized Law Enforcement agency in Indiana as well as getting our officers licensed in Indiana as they are in Michigan. We have been working hard with our lobbyists and politicians in northern Indiana to draft a Senate Bill that will accomplish this. We expect finalization of that sometime in the first quarter of 2022. We look forward to a handful of projects and new ideas in 2022. We thank everyone involved in helping make 2021 succesful.

ga nkëmgezwat THEY WO RK ED O N IT Design Lisa Vetne Editing David Gutierrez Photography Jessica Hightower and Clyde Brazie Jr Artwork Nick Dillingham, Christine Morseau, John Pigeon, Rhonda Rose, Cousin Topash, and Linda Yazel

Beaded Mittens, Rhonda Rose

pokégnek bodéwadmik A S OV E R E I G N N AT I O N WHO PRO MOTES O UR C U LT U R E A N D ST RIVE S TO E M P OW E R P O K ÉG N EK FA M I L I ES .