August is one of the months I usually look forward to each year. Visiting my wife’s family in Arizona and attending the Mille Lacs Band traditional powwow top my list.
By the time you will read this memo, the annual weekend that we usually hold our traditional powwow will have passed, and as you know – this year was undoubtedly different. Still, I want to share my sentiments with all of you.
Our traditional powwow is a testament to the things we care about as a tribe. For more than 50 years, the sounds of beautiful singing, the drums, the jingles, watching the talented dancers, and an arena filled with laughter, have brought a sense of calmness to our souls.
For me, our traditions, the history of the tribe that got us here today, the gathering as a community and relishing in the beauty that lies within our culture is ever-present.
When I recall past powwows, a smile comes to my face reminiscing about all the jokes that Amik used to tell. I remember dancing as a kid, skipping rocks across the lake, and watching my we-eh’s play the moccasin game each year. I remember the long lines (that were worth it) because you knew that at the end, it brought the sweet golden goodness of Mother Day’s frybread. This is a time when late nights and early mornings were easy to do – I think about all the golf games with my uncles and running around with my friends without a care in the world.
It’s almost like my mind, body, and spirit were still expecting the celebration this year. Knowing that the powwow was not happening had been an adjustment. You may be feeling the same way.
How we view something, whether we dread it or look forward to it with anticipation determines the actual outcome. The life-altering viewpoints that have snuck up on all of us during this pandemic are like unwelcome guests that never know when it is time to leave. Choosing to be happy, like filling my mind with wonderful memories of how we’re connected as Mille Lacs Band Members, shifts that negative viewpoint for me.
I encourage you to use this time to reflect on all the memories that you, your family and your extended family have made over the years – especially during these community gatherings. I hope you and your family were able to still connect on what would have been the annual Mille Lacs traditional powwow weekend.
And now, onto business!
All MLCV businesses have been busy the past few months planning the budget for Fiscal Year 2021. This is a long process that usually begins in early spring and involves dozens and dozens of people across the organization.
When we make decisions, we use the Principles Decision Thinking model. All decisions start with a thought or an idea, but what this model does is it adds in layers of additional perspective. Using MLCV’s principles like “family first,” “data over everything,” and “shortterm wins should not come at the expense of long-term value” are examples of how we filter ideas to a final decision. The final perspective is using an algorithm to support a decision. Data drives decisions at MLCV and when you can support an idea with actual numbers to push it forward, it gives us something to measure to see how we improve.
To finalize the budget, each department pulled historical data, reviewed industry trends, looked at our competitors, adjusted economic forecasts, and envisioned the future for the next 12+ months. This year, the process was immensely difficult.
All of that on top of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The budget is reviewed by the Executive Committee and brought to the MLCV Board of Directors for approval. The board’s job is to advise on strategy and issues, and to approve the annual budget. When the budget goes to the board, the board is approving that the spending matches the company priorities or strategic directives.
MLCV submitted the full budget and the MLCV board approved on Tuesday, July 21, 2020.
It’s an exciting feeling to have the FY21 budget mapped out and submitted. Our budget is used to help the tribe plan for their next bi-annual budget. Outside of grant dollars, the tribe’s budget is funded by the work produced by MLCV and its businesses.
Each year, the United States government contracts billions of dollars to buy goods and services needed to keep the country up and running. We knew that exploring diversification into the Federal Contracting space made sense for Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures, so a year ago this month, MLCV started its official effort to create a new lane of business and a new stream of revenue for the Mille Lacs Band.
Providing goods and services to the U.S. Federal Government is a lucrative $25 billion industry with endless potential. That’s a lot of money up for grabs – and thanks to the Tribal 8(a) program, ran by the Small Business Administration (SBA), leveraging our status as a tribe to gain an advantage to compete in this space is possible.
The necessary first step needed to compete in this space was to secure a super 8(a) certification. I am happy to announce that we have done just that and received our certification on March 4, 2020.
Government contracting has been a unique way that tribes and Alaskan Native Corporations have created self-sufficiency within their communities.
With our super 8(a) certification in place, this is a historic time for the company and the Band. It begins a new era of securing additional revenue sources for the Band today and well into the future.
Currently, we are the only active tribal 8(a) company in Minnesota that has secured this status — and we are part of a very limited group of tribes across the nation.
There are several other 8(a) certified tribes across the country, but the 5 tribes that we’ve researched– Three Affiliated Tribes, Oneida, Seneca, Chickasaw, and Cherokee. Together, they have a combined total revenue of $1.3 Billion in contracts.
After we received our certification, COVID-19 happened shortly thereafter, and even amid the economy shutting down, we began winning contracts in June. To date, we have secured and closed on 3 contracts and we are in the final bidding stages of a half dozen more contracts.
We look forward to reporting more on the growth of this line of business.
This memorandum expresses the views of the author as of the date listed, such views are subject to change without notice. Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures makes no representation, and it should not be assumed, that past business performance is an indication of future results.
This memorandum is made available for educational purposes only and should not be used for any other purpose.
The contents of this memorandum may not be copied, reproduced, republished, or posted in whole or in part, in any form without prior written consent of Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures.
At MLCV, we are committed to improving the lives of Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Members — and community members in the regions where we do business. Across our portfolio, you’ll find opportunities to drive economic and community growth to build lasting impact.
