November, 8, 2022. Tribal Board Meeting Wrap Up.
The Board of Directors of the Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians voted to invest ARPA Funds to purchase and provide land for Tribal Members use today in a Special Board Meeting. It was mentioned that the parcels are approximately 900 acres of which include more than one parcel. The property is estimated to have a value of $2400 per acre which would be an investment of land valued at $2,160,000. While not many details were provided to Members attending the meeting this land purchase is promised to include a limited amount of beachfront property and located near our reservation lands. The property will be developed for Member Use to hike, hunt, enjoy the beach, farm and for other Tribal Cultural Projects. The exhibits listing the parcels may be provided with the signed resolution, but no other details were provided prior to the vote. Tribal Board Resolutions
The Board also passed a resolution to stop all spending for planned projects that are being paid for with ARPA Funds until further notice. The Board Members voting for this measure promise to keep the previously approved projects on track but feel they need to make sure they are all in compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) which is the primary regulation for use by all executive agencies in their acquisition of supplies and services with appropriated funds.
While we do support both resolutions Robert's Rules of Order need to be followed at our Board Meetings. Our Board Members deserve more respect than that which was demonstrated today. It appeared procedural errors occurred prior to voting for both resolutions when no time was provided to discuss the resolutions. The Tribal Vice Chairman was one of two men that shut down the attempt to have a conversation and ask questions about both resolutions when opposing female board members asked for time for discussion and questions prior to the vote. "For the Record" asking questions and stating facts prior to voting is what Board Members are paid to do Tyler.
Respect is due to all Tribal Board Members.
