Aniishna Scott,

I have to say that I am very impressed with your site. I have spent an Inordinate amount of time today going over some of the information it contained. I was surprised to see my brother Merle's comments. He made good sense. Your comments are also interesting and insightful.

I have a few of my own, and you may use them or not, as you wish.

Casino For GRB? Time is Not on Our Side!!

Money is not bad. Without money, much of what we see as good in today’s world would not exist. Bad people make money bad. Bad people can be fired.

And, I fear, that far too many of the GRB could use additional resources, especially cash, today! Cash in the right hands can mend many wrongs. It is time we give ourselves the opportunity to put ourselves to the test, and provide a fiscal future for our generations today and our descendants. We are at a critical juncture in our history, and without a financial base to support our future, we shall exist as a people without a culture or tradition, or oral history. We will vanish as the GRB. Our clan will eventually evaporate away like our ancestral lands already have!

I am informed that many of our people today are not registered with the GRB because we must rely upon volunteers to process the paperwork. Volunteers who are often times too busy endeavoring to support their own families and struggling to make ends meet. We must rely upon overburdened volunteers to steer the course of our future because we do not possess the financial resources to hire full or even part-time clerks and secretaries to perform the necessary tasks. One cannot find fault with our existing leadership if they do not have the resources to perform their jobs. One can expect, though, that our leadership has the vision to procure for us all that is possible, and all that is due us for our people now and our descendants.

The GRB must have its own casino. The equation for our future is really quite simple; With a casino we have a future; without a casino we have no future...only more of the same. And the same isn't good enough anymore.

I have heard comments from one of my own family members on how casino money was evil money. The white man gave us money. We gave him tobacco. I think it was an even trade.

There are many approaches to establishing a casino for the GRB. There are also valid concerns about the impact a casino would have on the people of the GRB. I believe that these concerns are well founded and steeped in the experience of other Michigan tribes who established their own casinos. However, as a business professional for over thirty five years, I believe that it is entirely possible to create a thoroughly professional management team to spearhead the development of the casino and manage the daily operations afterwards. And, maintain the integrity and dignity of the GRB at the same time. Here are some thoughts on this issue.

I propose that the GRB crate a business system based upon some, or possibly all of the following: A Management Team charged with the responsibility of generating funds for the tribe through the establishment and daily operations of a casino. A Community Committee charged with the responsibility of working within the GRB community to develope and maintain approved programs, etc. An Oversight Committee charged with the responsibility of overseeing the management team and the Community Committee to assure that fund generation and expense are executed precisely and professionally every time.

The Management Team must consist of experienced and successful business professionals. The team can consist of both Indian and non-Indian participants. Quality of the Management Team is paramount to blood quantum. Qualifications for the team must be of the highest standards. This team is charged with the responsibility for generating revenue for the GRB through casino operations.

The Oversight Committee: The Oversight Committee is charged with the

responsibility of overseeing the actions of the management committee and assuring that the established and required protocols are being strictly followed. This will eliminate corruption and graft. It is not the responsibility of the Oversight Committee to make recommendations for funding programs, changes, etc. This committee must consist of accounting and auditing professionals as well as other tribal members. The Oversight Committee has no power to influence the activities of the Management Team.

The Community Committee: Works with the Management Team to propose funding for projects and all other programs desired by the collective GRB. This is the grass roots organization that assures that the funds generated by the management team are utilized in a manner suitable for the GRB. The amount of funding and timing are based upon the committee recommendations and the funds available from the Management Committee. The oversight committee monitors the distribution of funds and reports its findings to the tribal chairman/chief.

The Community Committee meets with GRB communities and plans local programs and projects as required. This committee also, with input from the GRB community decides upon larger issues and functions as a planning and implementation committee for the GRB.

The Management Team is responsible for generating funds for the GRB and must operate free from other tribal considerations. This team is not to enter into the politics of the tribe. The Community Committee works within the community to determine the needs and desires of the community and uses the funds generated by the management team for community uses. All tribal politics are managed in this committee.

The Oversight Committee is the auditing arm of the GRB. The Oversight

Committee appoints members of the Management Team. The Oversight Committee reports to the Tribal Chief and Community Elders.

And what about the impact new found money will have on the individual? We have earned our right to error. Having extra money will be a learning and welcome challenge for many. We must learn as a people how to manage our money. But first we must have the opportunity to get some. No one will complain, of this I am certain. If our future generations are to enjoy the fruits of our labors of today, we must begin to learn now. And seven generations from now they may well be grateful for the foresight and chances we took today.

Given that the casino becomes a reality, I believe that then the GRB will have a long-term future. Additionally, I believe that the GRB will be in the financial position to help fund other GRB business opportunities. The casino revenue can, in addition to being used for community programs, be invested in our future generations through long-term investments.

It is clear to me that without a fiscal base, the GRB will be relegated to the dust and bones of our ancestors, and the American government will have defeated us once again. And a final sobering fact: The American Government will not allow Indian gaming indefinitely. Eventually it will succumb to special interest and Indian Gaming will become another broken promise. We must act now for the future because time is not on our side.

Neal Stone