President's Activities Update: December 2011
White House Tribal Nations Conference
Once again, U.S. President Barack Obama gave an excellent speech. Tribal leaders were grateful for the opportunity to hear him speak so strongly on Native American issues, and to reinforce our relationship with the President’s cabinet. It is clear to me that the President is sincere in his commitment to do what is right for Native Americans. I continue to be disappointed that the bureaucracy remains unwilling or incapable of carrying out some of the things we have been concerned about for decades: underfunding or caps on indirect costs, land into trust, funding of Indian programs based on need instead of OMB targets, and meaningful consultation on policy issues.
Tlingit Haida Finance Jet Reporting System
Tlingit Haida Central Council is incorporating a Jet Reporting System. This electronic financial reporting software ties into our accounting software. It will not only give instant reporting on finances but it will also increase accuracy in the reports we generate for our current funding agencies. While we are convinced that this software will be best for us in the long run, it is important that managers be completely familiar with what the software can do, and give each other an opportunity to provide input as to what we would like it to do for us. The Jet Report trainer provided managers and administrative staff a 2-3 hour overview before giving a more in-depth training to our 10 licensed Jet designers, who are responsible for designing our reports.
All Staff Holiday Lunch
The Office of the President has prepared and served a Holiday Lunch to staff nearly every year since I was first elected President. The purpose of this Holiday Lunch is to let our staff know how much we appreciate all that they have done for our people over the past year. The Front Office staff did nearly all the work related to the lunch when we first began this tradition; now, we have a number of other programs and departments helping us out. This year we had to have the lunch late in the holiday season because there were so many meetings early in December that took others, as well as me, out of town. The turnout for our lunch was good but some were missing due to family travel or being home with children out of school for winter break. The staff did a great job in preparing and serving food for our Holiday Lunch!
Economic Development Workshop
Tlingit Haida Business and Economic Development Department (BEDD) Manager, Carrie Sykes, pulled together an economic development workshop that was held at our Vocational Training and Resource Center (VTRC). The primary purpose of the workshop was to give tribes and their representatives an opportunity to match up with business development agencies and finance institutes that have resources for business development. It was my honor to welcome the participants to the workshop on behalf of Tlingit Haida Central Council and commend them for putting forth their efforts to make a difference in the weak and uncertain economy of Southeast Alaska.
Andrew Hope Building Heating System
Tlingit Haida Central Council received two grants in 2011 from the Department of Energy. We will be using some of these funds to upgrade the heating system in the Andrew Hope Building. The new heating system along with energy efficient doors and windows will greatly improve energy conservation in our tribal headquarters. We tried to modify the grant to enable us to install a wood pellet furnace, but our request was denied. Nonetheless, modern heating systems are much more fuel-efficient than our current furnace, which was installed in 1984 when our building was completed. We very much appreciate these energy grants. The improvements to the heating system and to the efficiency of improved doors and windows will result in savings to the Tribe for many years to come.
Executive Council Meeting
Our December Executive Council meeting was fairly routine. Three members of the Tlingit-Haida Regional Housing Authority (THRHA) Board of Commissioners (Joe Williams, Chair; former members Dennis Gray and Ella Bennett) were in attendance to ask consideration of the Executive Council to appoint them back onto the board. Juneau delegate John Martin attended and spoke on a number of issues that are of concern to him. We adopted six resolutions, our Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer gave reports on operations and the refinancing of our building loans. We appointed Ella Bennett to fill a vacancy on the Board of Commissioners, and we adopted the 2012 Executive Council meeting schedule.
Centennial Hall Partnership
I met with Centennial Hall Event Supervisor Derron Peterson to discuss a tourism plan that he is working on with the tour ship companies. It amounts to offering a local theme production for tourists that would take place at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall during the day throughout the summer. Initial plans include Centennial Hall renting the space for the performances. We would have the option of a joint venture if we felt such an arrangement would be more advantageous to us. Right now, I lean toward just renting the space rather than assuming some of the risk of a start-up production. I think the proposition is promising.
Tribal Trust Fund Balance
The balance of our Tribal Trust Fund at the end of 2010 was $8,381,043 and the balance at the end of 2011 was $8,317,585; a net reduction of $63,458 for the year. This is after a $90,000 drawdown to help us finance the acquisition of the former Juneau ANB portion of the Andrew Hope Building.
Happy New Year
I wish you all a very happy and productive 2012.
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