The Great Lakes Water Compact, originally proposed by the Council of Great Lakes Governments, was approved by the Michigan and Wisconsin State Legislatures last week. The Compact includes conservation measures and water use restrictions, designed to protect the Lakes against "diversion and over use." Other states that have approved the Compact are Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York. The Canadian Provinces bordering the Great Lakes (Ontario and Quebec) have already approved similar and compatible measures. Read More...

In 2004 Native Vote was spearheaded by the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI). This was a groundbreaking non-partisan campaign to register and turn out a record number of American Indian and Alaskan Native voters. The culmination of the Native Vote efforts in 2004 and 2006 was a resounding success for tribal governments nationwide. It empowered Native voters and raised the profile of Native issues in the eyes of politicians. It was a historic moment for all of Indian Country. Native voters proved that we can make our voices heard with the power of the vote. Click here for the entire article

United Tribes of Michigan Executive Director Matt Wesaw and Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm talking at a United Tribes of Michigan meeting in Lansing in 2006