FROM THE DESK OF THE CHAIRMAN GERALD V. CHINGWA

A brief end of the year note.

It is nearly December and I want to wish everyone a Happy Holiday. Turkey day is already this week. It seems that time is passing faster now than previous years and there just doesn't seem to be enough time to cram everything that needs attention into a reasonable schedule. I've been told by our Odawa Trails manager that I don't have a lot of space to use for my late article but a few of the endeavors of the Tribe this year, must be mentioned and the Tribe certainly can be proud of its accomplishments. The following list identifies a couple of accomplishments this year, though not necessarily in the chronological order of their happening.

LTBB purchased 100 acres of real estate in Emmet County, near Petoskey, with the intent to develop a casino, convention center and hotel. The feasibility study is complete and we continue to plan. We have applied for the United States to accept the property in Trust.

LTBB purchased the former Holiday Inn hotel in Petoskey. LTBB is in the process of hiring architects and decorators to renovate the hotel up to LTBB standards. The hotel was purchased with intent to complement the Victories Casino and now carries the name, Victories Hotel. The Trust application has been started.

LTBB has moved the annual homecoming powwow to our own property. It was a bit dusty this past summer, but we are working to correct that to make it a much more pleasant powwow experience for everyone in 2003.

The Tribal operations, government complex construction is complete and all offices are filled. We have moved offices out of rented property, though we have found that we still need space for certain program functions. The LTBB government complex is a show case property. I have mentioned in previous publications that the building is impressive but you must see it to appreciate the feeling that this is really what the struggles of years past have been for. To step back and to see the government staff coming and going and knowing that their efforts and dedication to serve Tribal membership are under a single LTBB Tribal government roof, owned by the Tribe is awe inspiring.

What is most inspiring is the youthfulness, if that's a word, of the LTBB members and staff that are taking the reins to make the programs work. We older horses are certainly not looking to go to pasture yet, but when I tell LTBB staff about the "Indian activist" activities we were involved with during my earlier days, I realize that I am talking to some people that were not even born yet. I realize with pride and confidence that are our modern day activists (that are full of vigor and daring) are fully competent to manage the programs that are established for your benefit.

We must continue to progress and develop. Develop, not only our physical plans but also the interests and talents of the next generation of young LTBB people and to entrust them to carry on the legacy of LTBB. This thought comes as we look forward to a new year and new experiences and continued successes.

Bah Mah Pee. Jerry

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