Naganzéthêk

Bozho!

On behalf of the Pokagon Band Tribal Council, it is my privilege to share with you our 2022 Accomplishment Report. 2022 was definitely a year to be remembered with many accomplishments for our Tribal Nation. I hope this report will help you reflect with pride on our continued success and maintain a positive outlook for the future. Please be sure to review all of the sections for more detail on the accomplishments by each government department.

Although 2022 was not without its challenges, Tribal Council continued to work closely with our government team members to improve our operations and provide vital programs and services to our citizens to help ease the financial burden caused by the pandemic. With the health concerns over COVID-19 somewhat diminished to start the year, the world began dealing with record inflation and major economic headwinds. These headwinds not only impacted the budget of individuals and families, but businesses also felt the strain. Not many businesses are immune to a recession, and we had to be conservative in our approach as we resumed paying the debt on the expansion of Four Winds South Bend, while continuing to outlay capital to complete the project. We also had to contend with a new competitor entering the Indiana gaming market with the opening of Hard Rock Casino in Gary. A shift in the labor market from the pandemic also forced us to be more aggressive in our offers to prospective employees. Despite the economic headwinds and increased competition, our casinos continued to weather the storm.

We reached a major milestone on August 18 with the opening of the expanded gaming floor at Four Winds South Bend, which gave us an opportunity to increase our gaming revenue with the roll out of Class III slot machines and table games. Many notable guests were in attendance

Front row: Barbara Ann Warren, Elder’s Representative, Rebecca Richards, Chairwoman, Rhonda L. Keene, Member at Large. Back row: Brandon Rapp, Member at Large, Mark Parrish, Member at Large, Gary Morseau, Vice Chair, Alex Wesaw, Treasurer, Sam Morseau, Secretary, John Morseau, Member at Large, Mark Topash, Member at Large, Steve Winchester, Member at Large. Not Pictured: Michaelina Martin, Chief of Staff, Heather Pauley, Executive Secretary to Tribal Council, Samantha Townsend, Administrative Assistant, Michele Winchester, Administrative Assistant, Monica Hadley,Veteran’s Administrative Assistant for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony including members of the Pokagon Band Tribal Council and Elders Council, Pokagon Citizens, representatives from the City of South Bend, Chairman Sequoyah Simermeyer from the National Indiana Gaming Commission, and members of the media. Members of the Pokagon Band Tribal Council, Elders Council, Four Winds Executive Team, and Indiana Senators and Congressmen cut the ribbon. Additionally, Indiana Senators Ryan Mishler (District 9) and David Niezgodski (District 10), along with Jake Teshka from the Indiana House of Representatives (District 7), were in attendance to show their support. Senator Mishler previously led the effort to help the Pokagon Band secure its Class III Gaming Compact with the state of Indiana, along with support from Senator Niezgodski and Representative Teshka.

The expanded gaming floor at Four Winds South Bend now spans more than 98,000 square feet and includes 1,900 slot machines, 27 table games, a new high limit area, and an additional cage and cashier area. A total of 850 new slot machines and have been added including popular titles such as Dragon Link, Cash Express, Big Fish, Buffalo Link, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, The Price is Right, Jumanji, Conan, and Cashman Bingo. Eleven new table games include 21 + 3 w/ Top 3, Lucky Lucky, Blackjack, Roulette, High Card Flush, and Heads Up Holdem’. Table Games will remain open from 10 a.m. until 3 a.m., seven days a week.

A dedicated Video Poker section has also been created with an additional 56 games. Four Winds South Bend’s new High Limit Room features an additional 46 slot machines with denominations ranging from $0.05 to $100.00.

At the time of this writing, we just announced that the new 23-story hotel tower at Four Wind South Bend will open to the public on Wednesday, March 1.The new structure features 317 rooms including 83 suites, as well as Cedar Spa, Edgewater Café, Ribbon Town Conference and Event Center, an outdoor swimming pool on the third floor, and terraces with spectacular views.

It’s hard to believe we opened our first Four Winds Casino location almost 16 years ago in New Buffalo, Mich., on August 2, 2007. I couldn’t be prouder of the success of our four casino locations, which is a credit to our hardworking casino operations team and all of our Four Winds team members. I’d also like to thank our previous Tribal Council administrations, our project manager, general contractors, construction workers, and vendors that have helped us reach this important milestone!

In addition to planning for the next seven generations by growing our businesses and increasing revenue, we maintained our focus on creating educational opportunities for our citizens and their families. On December 8, we completed a Signing Ceremony with Indiana University South Bend (IU South Bend) and Chancellor, Susan Elrod, to renew and expand our Institutional Award Program, which benefits eligible Pokagon Band Citizens and individuals employed by our various Pokagon Band entities. Under the terms of the agreement, IU South Bend shall provide eligible Pokagon Citizens and employees with Institutional Awards that reduce or eliminate the difference between in-state and outof-state tuition rates.

To be eligible for the Institutional Award, Pokagon Citizens and employees must qualify for admission into IU South Bend, consistent with the university’s usual admission procedures. Admitted

Pokagon Citizens and employees may participate in any IU South Bend undergraduate or graduate program, degree, or non-degree, offered in any modality including online, in person, hybrid, etc. IU South Bend’s online courses were also added to the program.

The significance of this program cannot be understated. The Pokagon Tribal Government strives to make investments that will have a positive impact for our citizens seven generations into the future. Access to higher education opportunities and life-long learning are critical to the long-term success of our Pokagon Citizens and the individuals that are employed by our various business entities. Despite having hundreds of Pokagon Citizens and employees that reside in the state of Indiana, we have thousands more that reside in Michigan and other states. We are extremely pleased that this partnership with IU South Bend will ensure that all of our citizens and employees have access to the same high quality educational opportunities, from one of the top universities in the region.

If you would like more information about educational opportunities at IU South Bend, please reach out to the Department of Education for details. Also be sure to ask about 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.

As we look to 2023 and beyond, the future is bright. We have much to be thankful for and the best is yet to come. I look forward to working closely with the rest of our Tribal Council and all our Pokagon Citizens to help us reach new heights!

Migwėtth, Rebecca Richards Tribal Chairwoman