The next meeting of the General Tribal Council will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2008. Decisions critical to the future of all Oneidas will be made that day. We urge you to become informed about the issues and attend this important meeting.

 

We believe the discussion likely to take place that day will focus on what the current needs of the Tribal membership are and what sort of future we want to leave to our children and grandchildren. Will we meet our challenges? Will we see and seize our opportunities? Will we build for our children and grandchildren a stronger, more prosperous Oneida Tribe?

What we decide to do at the May 10, 2008 General Tribal Council meeting will affect the answers to all three of these questions. At that meeting, the Oneida people will be asked to vote on proposals related to per capita distribution that will have a direct affect on the well-being of our communities and the economic stability of the Tribe.

Two alternatives calling for increased payouts will be presented at the May 10 General Tribal Council meeting. One of the alternatives is being recommended by the Oneida Business Committee as a responsible way to provide additional financial support to tribal members without hurting our tribal services and business operations. The other alternative includes a range of one-time payout options and an increase in the annual per capita distribution, noting that the most recent special one-time payment of $5,000/$10,000 distribution nearly exhausted the Tribe’s reserve funds. The OBC strongly believes that any similar distribution this year, or in the next several years, is simply not affordable or doable without having a disastrous effect on our Tribe’s ability to provide the jobs and services to Oneidas.

We understand these are not easy choices and believe you should have the information you need to decide what is best for you, your family, your community and your Tribe today and into the future. For that reason, we are investing in the preparation and distribution of a series of informational mailers highlighting key facts and figures related to the decisions you will be making on May 10th. The informational packets will be sent to you as they become available. The first, included, with this letter provides information on the services that the Tribe provides for Tribal members. The second will give you a look at the current Oneida economy in terms of jobs and investments. The third will look at issues affecting our long-term economic needs and opportunities. And, the last will focus on efforts to make sure Tribal governance is representative, responsive and responsible.

We believe it is important that you have an opportunity to participate in, and be informed about, this important set of decisions. We hope that you will contact us if you have questions or would like more information about any of the issues raised in this letter or the informational brochures.

Thank you and please make sure to attend the General Tribal Council meeting on May 10, 2008. The meeting will be held at the Turtle School Gymnasium at 10 a.m. yaw^ko The Oneida Business Committee