Important Tribal investment discussions
are coming to your community soon
The Tribal Council has recently identified
six priority investment areas for tribal rev
enues over the next five years. In late June
and early July the Tribal Council and staff will be
conducting community meetings in your area to
share with you their ideas and to receive your in
put and ideas about future investments. With the
planned success of tribal gaming and other enter
prises, the Council expects revenue to increase
over the next several years.
This will be an important opportunity for you
to talk directly to Council members and staff re
garding your ideas and expectations for the Tribes
revenue and the future. The following items will
be the points for discussion, however, your ideas
are welcome and encouraged.
HEALTH INSURANCE
This investment scenario is based on the concept of en
suring access to basic health coverage for all tribal mem
bers regardless of location. This plan could include a self
insurance option or purchased care. The primary focus
would be on covering gaps in health care and recognizing
the different abilities to pay or contribute in some manner.
The cost of this type of coverage could range from $ 1 to $6
million annually depending on the level of coverage and
participation.
Strategic Questions:
Should the Tribe self-insure or provide outside purchased
care (Blue CrossBlue Shield)?
Are there other options?
What should a plan cover (general health, dental, vi
sion, etc.)?
Who should be covered (members only, non-tribal fam
ily members, others)?
Should members be required to contribute in some way?
PER CAPITA PAYMENTS
The concept of per capita distribution of tribal revenues
is not new and is based in the notion that tribal members
share equally in the resources of the Tribe. It is essentially
a plan to distribute revenue to all members when the Tribe
in is a position to do so, but not intended to bankrupt the
Tribe or create long term dependency among members. The
Council recognizes the importance of careful planning and
investment considering the Congress can eliminate Indian
Gaming at any time, but realizes how important it is to have
programs that add value to the lives of tribal members.
Strategic Questions:
Should the Tribe distribute tribal revenues directly to
tribal members in the form of cash payments?
If so, what percent of total revenue should be distrib
uted? Are there other funding priorities that should be met be
fore per capita payments are made?
RETIREMENT FUND
This concept began as an elders pension plan to provide
resources to those elderly members who have a limited fixed
income and are generally unable to meet their personal
needs. At a certain age, individuals would begin to receive
a regular stipend for their necessary expenses. Another op
tion under this scenario is to build a plan that includes all
members regardless of age, but where regular investments
are made by the Tribe on behalf of the individual members.
Like other retirement plans, at a certain age members would
begin to draw regular amounts without penalty. However,
like other retirement plans, individuals who have not reached
the appropriate age level could draw on their accounts for
specific reasons, but would be charged a penalty.
Strategic Questions:
Should retirement investments benefit elderly only or
any tribal member regardless of age?
At what age would a tribal member be eligible to draw
upon the benefit?
What would be considered a proper penalty for early
withdrawal?
EDUCATION
The purpose of this investment would be to boost the
investment in education options for tribal members through
increased scholarships, vocational training grants,
mentorship programs, graduate scholarships and career track
programs. The Tribal Council recognizes the importance
of education and training for members to succeed. This
option would be to establish programs that are available to
all members in a variety of resource pools to support choices
in furthering an individuals education or training.
Strategic Questions:
What type of education funding would benefit you and
your family the most?
Are there other education and training opportunities the
Tribe should explore?
LAND FOR PRIVATE HOMES
This scenario would require the Tribe to make land avail
able either in trust or fee status for members and through
purchase or grant options for housing development or for
mobile home set ups. Included in this option would be the
discussion of how to make housing opportunities available
to all members regardless of where they choose to live. For
the Grand Ronde area, the Tribe has to consider the cost of
land, roads, sewer, water and other utilities in the design of
housing development. For other areas, the Tribe could en
hance its down payment grant program, create rental assis
tance programs and other options.
Strategic Questions:
Would you consider establishing a residence in the Grand
Ronde area?
If so, what assistance would you need in doing so (i.e.
land, utilitiesinfrastructure in place, financing)?
What type of housing resources should be available to
those members not living in Grand Ronde and not wanting
to relocate?
ENDOWMENTS
This option would increase ceilings for each of the Tribe's
existing endowment programs. These programs include
governmental operations, health, housing and education.
The current level for these endowments are; Governmental
Operations $6 million, Housing $600,000, 1 lealth $ 600,000
and Education $600,000. The ceiling amounts for these
funds were established in 1990 and were designed to pro
vide interest income for use in each area on an annual basis
in perpetuity. The significant increase in tribal population
between 1990 and 1994 require a reconsideration of the
size of these endowments to meet current and expected tribal
needs.
Strategic Questions:
Should the Tribe increase the ceilings for the endow
ments? To what level?
Should other endowment programs be established?
If so, in what areas?
The meetings will be held on the following dates, times and locations described below:
June 27, 1995
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Lane Community College
The Center Building
Bottom floor cafeteria
Eugene, Oregon
June 28, 1995
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Chemeketa Community
College
Building 50
Salem, Oregon
June 29, 1995
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Portland Community College
Cascade Campus, Terrell Hall
705 N. Killingsworth
Portland, Oregon
July 5, 1995
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Grand Ronde
Community Center
Grand Ronde, Oregon
Maps of all locations are available by calling 1-800-422-0232 x2325 or x2340.
Food and beverages will be served.