To the editor:
County Commissioner Will Bunek recently complained about the Grand Traverse Band’s allocations of its 2% gaming revenue to various local community non-profits, including units of government. Bunek’s arrogance, ingratitude, and willful ignorance are once again on full display, to the embarrassment of Leelanau County’s residents and visitors.
Native American tribes, including the GTB, are sovereign nations. “Tribal sovereignty includes the right to govern one’s community, the ability to preserve one’s culture, and the right to control one’s economy,” as stated by the Federal Bar Association. (fedbar.org) Furthermore, the GTB is a gracious and generous giver of THEIR funds to a wide variety of programs in Leelanau County, supporting and uplifting many in our communities. Bunek has no business chiding and hectoring the GTB on their decisions as to where and how they choose the beneficiaries of THEIR 2% largesse. He should be thanking them on bended knee for taking some pressure off local government for services and programs.
