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Mohegan Tribe, Connecticut Leaders Celebrate Partnership
Leaders of the Mohegan Tribe hosted a reception for Connecticut officials at the state Capitol building in Hartford on May 5 in honor of the Tribe’s 15-year relationship with the state. “Today is a celebration of friendship and mutual respect,” said Tribal Chairman Bruce S. Bozsum “Two Dogs” as he invited guests to share in a lunch of traditional Mohegan foods. Among those guests were Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, Attorney General George Jepsen, Secretary of State Denise Merrill, Comptroller Kevin Lembo and over 90 members of the Connecticut General Assembly. (Gov. Dannel Malloy was in New York City on that day at Ground Zero with President Obama.)
In his remarks, Chairman Bozsum noted that since Mohegan Sun opened 15 years ago, the Tribe has contributed more than $2.5 billion to the state’s general fund. In that time the Tribe has donated $18 million to charities, spent $6.3 billion on goods and services from vendors, and has nearly 9,000 permanent employees, making Mohegan the fourth largest employer in Connecticut.While Mohegan Sun opened in 1996, “the Mohegan Tribe’s partnership with Connecticut had lasted more than 400 years” to the time Sachem Uncas assisted the settlers, the Chairman noted. During the recession, “The Tribe has had to make tough decisions as has the state,” Chairman Bozsum said. “We are going to weather the storm together. Brighter horizons are ahead.” Lt. Gov. Wyman said, “Thank you for everything you’ve done for the state. You are a great employer and an important part of our economy.”
Connecticut House Majority Leader J. Brendan Sharkey, the Democratic representative from Hamden, presented a citation to Chairman Bozsum from the General Assembly. It says: “The Connecticut General Assembly hereby offers sincerest congratulations to the Mohegan Tribe in recognition of the 15th anniversary of Mohegan Sun and the historic partnership of our two governments. Congratulations to all Tribal Members on this milestone. We look forward to many more years of mutual respect, shared culture and productivity working together.”
Chairman Bozsum invited the guests to view a short film, “Honoring the Past, Preparing for the Future,” which shows highlights of the Tribe receiving federal recognition and building one of the world’s largest resort casinos. It features many of the attractions at Mohegan Sun. Chairman Bozsum introduced members of the Tribal Council and the Council of Elders. He also welcomed former Tribal Chairman Roland Harris and former Tribal Council Treasurer Maynard Strickland, who attended the reception representing the Tribal Council that oversaw construction and opening of the Mohegan Sun Casino in 1996.??
Chairman Bozsum introduced Mohegan Medicine Woman Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel, who blessed the reception with a Mohegan prayer. Tribal Firekeeper Jay Ihloff honored the Tribe’s guests with a flute song and Tribal member Kurt Eichelberg performed a friendship song with drumming and singing.
Staff of the Tribe’s Cultural and Community Programs Department had decorated the Old Judiciary Room, where the reception took place, with large posters of David Wagner paintings depicting Sachem Uncas greeting colonists and other scenes of Eastern Woodland Indians. Each dining table was adorned with a strawberry plant and braids of sweetgrass. The buffet of traditional foods included clear broth clam chowder, succotash, turkey sandwiches and Indian pudding, prepared and served by staff of Mohegan Sun Food and Beverage.
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