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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Chairman Marcus Levings announces intentions to seek a second term Earlier this week Chairman Marcus Levings formally announced his intentions to seek a second term to serve in the primary leadership position for the Three Affiliated Tribes (TAT). Chairman Levings has thus far fulfilled the position in a humble, yet progressive manner – noting that it is always his main obligation to keep the tribal membership and general public informed of the Tribal Government’s plans, actions, and outcomes. In November 2006, members of the Three Affiliated Tribes firmly supported Chairman Marcus Levings into office and have received an unprecedented showing of clear Tribal Government and a Tribal Government’s willingness to be accountable to the people. Since that time Chairman Levings has worked diligently everyday to assure that his campaign promises for an open, understandable and productive Tribal Government for the people comes into reality. As a direct result of his uniform actions an exceptional number of Tribal Council meetings has taken place, there is unprecedented access to tribal members, and he has provided an aggressive approach at solving the challenges that exist in servicing the people of the Three Affiliated Tribes. Chairman Levings has always made it a priority to keep uniformity and the insight of his fellow Tribal Council members and Tribal members. “Today, I’m not only in the beginning of his fourth year as Chairman, but I also hosted Tribal Council Meeting no. 179 – a historical record of both regular and special meetings,” said Chairman Marcus Levings. Chairman Levings has authored and produced his own newsletter reaching out to each and every tribal member, whether they be political allies or not, in an effort to engage and shared, “We’re all together in this great struggle to achieve economic opportunity, equality of economic opportunity and also to insure that the government functions for and by the people.” Chairman Levings has extended his hand in partnership in full cooperation with each and every council member heightening the awareness of the needs for each segment and heightening the awareness for collaboration to aggressively solve these challenges. The five strategic priority areas outlined by Chairman Levings and the Tribal Council in December of 2006 included: 1). The Elbowoods Memorial Healthcare Clinic, 2). Fort Berthold Rural Water Development, 3). Oil and Gas Development for the Fort Berthold Reservation, 4). Law Enforcement Improvement and Revisions, and 5). Housing Issues. Each of these priorities has been the fundamental approach and cause for every action by Chairman Levings’ office and intense focus has been taken on these five areas. “Through appropriate planning and implementation the Tribe has moved forward and attainment of being able to become a part of oil and gas development in western North Dakota, enhance education, enhance healthcare needs, and the dream of self-sustainable economic development has begun to come into realization for Three Affiliated Tribes members,” said Chairman Levings. “Presently the Tribe is also on the verge of having the single largest investment of homes for the Fort Berthold Reservation.” Chairman Levings at all turns has defended the sovereignty of the Tribe – simultaneously he’s engaged in key groundbreaking partnerships with the State of North Dakota and ND Governor John Hoeven in regards to taxation and revenue-sharing issues, law and order issues, and enhancing the safety of the roads on the Fort Berthold Reservation with the added impact from the Oil Industry. With the recently signed extension of the Tribal/State Oil and Gas Tax Agreement between the Three Affiliated Tribes and the State of North Dakota, it is a proven advanced approach of creating more revenue for the Tribe, but at the same time entering into a partnership with the State without ceding Sovereignty. In a rapid amount of time, Chairman Levings has gained the trust of the United States Congress. They have called upon him on numerous occasions to present expert testimony and serve as a witness for Congressional hearings on energy, economic development, oil/gas exploration, health care, and law enforcement issues bringing national attention to both the Three Affiliated Tribes and the Northern Plains Regions. He has also gained the respect of his fellow tribal leaders across Indian Country and is viewed not only as a leader amongst his own people, but an emerging American Indian leader in the Northern Plains and Indian Country on issues which have guaranteed valuable results. Indian Country has been recognized and noted for their patriotism and loyalty expressed to the U.S. Armed Forces – the Three Affiliated Tribes in particular are still well-known today for their diligence in taking care of their tribal members who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. Military upon their return home. In keeping with these traditions and leading by example, Levings is the only Tribal Chairman across Indian Country presently serving in two critical positions – one, Chairman of the Three Affiliated Tribes (with an approximate tribal membership of 12,000 enrolled members) and two, First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves (where he is presently a Chaplain Candidate). Chairman Levings thoroughly provided a smooth transition from one administration to another when he took office in November 2006 and he will continue to bring more effective government and proven leadership. Such attributes have been displayed through: · The October 2009 Groundbreaking of the Elbowoods Memorial Healthcare Clinic made possible through Congress · The historic tax agreements made possible through partnerships with the State of North Dakota · Historic visits to the Fort Berthold Reservation by U.S. President Barack Obama’s Cabinet Members · Heightened awareness of Congress on Oil and Gas Exploration and Production on the Fort Berthold Reservation – the One-Stop Shop Concept through the Department of the Interior · Firm and committed support of Tribal Youth Issues through Native American Boys & Girls Club Initiatives · Support for Indian Education · Continued communication on government-to-government issues with President Barack Obama as displayed during the White House Summit with Tribes on Nov. 5, 2009. · Joint Tribal Advisory Committee (JTAC) II Developments
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