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Stateside Podcast: Constructing tribal economic futures

Pictured from left to right: Julio Martinez, CEO of Mno-Bmadsen, Shanna Shananaquet, Executive Director of Odawa Holdings, and Monica King, CEO of Gun Lake Investments. Together, the three make up the partners of joint venture Aki Construction LLC.
Courtesy of Lindsay Smith
/
Michigan Radio
Pictured from left to right: Julio Martinez, CEO of Mno-Bmadsen, Shanna Shananaquet, Executive Director of Odawa Holdings, and Monica King, CEO of Gun Lake Investments. Together, the three make up the partners of joint venture Aki Construction LLC.

When it comes to economic development opportunities for tribal communities, a casino may be the first thing that comes to mind. For decades, tourism and gambling have acted as the main sources of revenue on reservations across the country. In Michigan, a new collaborative project between three tribal nations aims to diversify the economic portfolio for native communities across the state.

Together, the Little Traverse Bay Bands Of Odawa Indians, the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, and the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians have teamed up to create a new joint venture. The venture, named Aki Construction LLC, hopes to build economic stability and generational wealth for the three tribes.

GUESTS:

  •  Julio Martinez, CEO, Mno-Bmadsen 
  •  Shanna Shananaquet, Executive Director, Odawa Holdings

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Music in this episode byBlue Dot Sessions.

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Anna joined Stateside as an assistant producer in August 2021. She is a recent graduate of Michigan State University's School of Journalism and previously worked for The State News as an intern and student government reporter.