MCRI’s Future Looking
Heritage & Research Institute
Project
MCRI
 MCRI is a non-profit located on the Turtle Mountain
Chippewa Indian Reservation whose primary
emphasis is on maintaining the historical and unique
cultural heritage of Turtle Mountain Band of
Chippewa Indians.
 MCRI is an IRS 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization.
 The BOD is comprised of 7-tribal members of the
TMBCI.
 Currently there is no historical, cultural, artist center
in the community of Belcourt, ND the HUB of the
reservation.
Manitouk Cultural & Research
Institute
 The MCRI’s present site is not functional nor in
alignment with the mission and goals for it’s
organization.
 The MCRI’s present location is in a storage facility with
severe spatial limitations and little aesthetic appeal for
display of the unique artifacts, artwork and documents
presently housed at this facility. Limited space for
visitors to walk through is another challenge.
 Leasing the present facility for MCRI’s organization is
costly and is not deemed profitable.
MCRI’s Present Location
 Present building is approximately 30 x 30 on the
exterior and is in run-down condition.
 Floor space is approximately 900 square feet.
 Location has 2-5 car parking only with parking area
unpaved and full of potholes.
 Location is off the main road but extremely
inaccessible due to no front road access.
 Part-time employee has no office space.
 Bathroom facility is one unit and very outdated.
MCRI’s Future Building
MCRI’s Strategic Plan
Business Plan
Master Building Plan
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 Phase I – Exhibit Hall
Executive Summary
Mission Statement
Business Structure
Management Team
History
Market Research
SWOT Analysis
Description of Prod/Services
Operations Plan
Financial Plan
Attachments
 Phase II – Interpretive Cent.
 Phase III – Artist in Residence
Studio
 Phase IV – Music, Video &
Historical
Recording Studio
Presley LaFountain,
Turtle Mountain
Chippewa
Sculpturer
Well-known artist wants to
pass along his talent and
skills to our new generation
members through a
mentoring process – handson and via satellite access.
Louise Erdrich
Well-known Turtle Mountain
Band of Chippewa Author
frequently visits to conduct
annual writing workshop.
Known for her story-telling,
Erdrich has many works to
her credit and with wide,
popular appeal to young and
old.
Edward Thomas,
Turtle Mountain
Chippewa Artist
Mother & Child Alabaster Stone
Ryan Keplin, Turtle
Mountain
Chippewa Fiddler
Ryan Keplin is a left-handed
fiddler, aka - The Fiddlin
Lefty” plays instruments
such as: Acoustic Guitar,
Bass Guitar and last, but not
least, Drums.
CHARLIE WHITE WEASEL, American Indian Tribal
Historian is the recipient of the National Iron Eyes Cody Peace
Medal Award given in Recognition of Outstanding
Contributions in the Preservation of American Indian History
and Culture. White Weasel is a lifetime member of the Turtle
Mountain Historical Society now MCRI, Turtle Mountain
Chippewa Tribe of North Central North Dakota.
“Our Future lies within
our new generation
members whose lives are
intrinsically woven to
their past…rich in a
cultural heritage of
history, language, music,
art, customs and dance
with hand-made beaded
regalia. These are the
people of the Turtle
Mountain Chippewa.”
Manitouk Cultural Research
Institute’s Implementation Plan
Manitouk Cultural
Research Institute’s
original design has
now changed to
incorporate all Phase
IV Plans
Changes made include the
name from MCRI to
Manitouk Cultural Research
Institute (MCRI). Additional
changes have occurred with
the new Board members,
under a new Board Chair.
DSG Architects,
Minneapolis, MN have been
selected for the Phase IV
blue prints and designs.
TMBCI’s USDA Application
Submission
 TMBCI Resolutions:
 USDA Checklist
Original- March 8,
2004 with 7.08 acres
(near Skydancer) given
to the Heritage Center.
2. New – November 2011
approving land, USDA
application and
financing of project.
1.
1.
Attorney’s Opinion
2. SF424 Application,
Budget, Assurances,
Map of Project Service
Area, MCRI Board info.
3. Feasibility Report
4. Environmental – Soils
Analysis (Kade Ferris)
Proposed Project Costs
 Total Project Cost
$1,956,689.00
 USDA-RD Grant
$500,000.00
 USDA – RD Direct Loan
$1,163,186.00
 Reimbursement from TMBCI gas tax allocation, by
resolution in amount of $7,500 to offset repayment
amount of $4,269/per month.
 P2P share has provided $700,000 with $190,000 real
estate grounds preparation work.
 Additional monies to be secured by LG Consultants
with federal grants & via MCRI’s fundraising activities.
DSG Architects
 A Minneapolis-based architectural business, DSG has
worked with TMBCI on many projects, including
project plan for Skydancer Hotel & Casino expansion.
 Mike Laverdure, TMBCI enrolled member is DSG
contact.
 DSG has committed to Phase IV implementation plan
of the new MCRI facility with ground breaking
scheduled for June of 2011.
Phase I & II Implementation
Activities
 Soil Analysis completed
 Feasibility completed
 Klaus Report indicates Feasibility for market location.
 USDA completed & submitted
 Final architectural designs impending
 National Endowment for Humanities (NEH) $6,000
grant to be submitted by TMBCI for preservation
expert consultation & report for preservation activities.
L G Contractual Commitment
 NEH organizational grant to be submitted once initial
preservation report is completed, which identifies
critical steps for understanding the preservation
process, capacity and equipment necessary for proper,
climate-controlled storage. Additionally, the purchase
of digitization equipment needed for converting all
MCRI documents & artifacts into digital archives.
 Additional NEH grant funds can help design
organizational structure and implementation of
MRCI’s educational and research resources.
MCRI’s Fundraising Efforts
 In-house promotion with internal membership & dues
 Artist’s fees/sales
 Recording Studio fees/sales
 Artist’s Support
 Educational Fees
 Tourism
 TMBCI gas tax (secured)
 P2P Investment (secured)
MCRI’s Management Plan
 MCRI will utilize Project
 Open daily M-S 10-6 and
Director to manage
MCRI’s daily activities.
 Part-time Volunteers
paid by stipends.
 MCRI will utilize Senior
training program.
 MCRI will hire Language
Expert for implementing
language program.
Sunday hours 12 noon-4.
 Fee charges per
individuals and groups.
 All building &
landscaping concerns
addressed by TMBCI in
conjunction with MCRI
board initializing.
MCRI’s Activities
 Tourism
 Sales of artists works
 Research & Education
 Nature Walk
 Artist-in-Residence
 Language Instruction
Studio
 Recording Studio
 Mentoring Artists via
IVN for educational
purposes.
 Exhibit of artists works
 Sharing of heritage
artifacts & documents
 Amphitheatre &
Activities
 Community Arts Center
& sharing.
MCRI Board
 Chairperson: Terri
Martin Parisien
 District 1 – Darrel
Charette
 District 2 – Arla
Gourneau
 District 3 – Les Thomas
 District 4 – Bill Morin
 MCRI will govern all
activities of the MCRI,
with the exception of the
actual building and site
that are under the
governing body of the
Turtle Mountain Band of
Chippewa Indians and
by executive decision of
the TMBCI Tribal
Government.
Power Point Created & Designed by
L G Consultants Robert Lattergrass
& Arla Gourneau