As a commitment to diversification, the Tribal Council created GLI to manage its non-gaming investments. To ensure proper governance and create continuity, the Tribe appointed a board of directors, allowing all investment and operational decisions to be contained within the firm. Since its inception, the 100% native-board has consisted of individuals with MBA’s, Ph.D.’s, business experience, and a long history in Tribal economic development. The board is solely responsible for approving policies and budgets, and holding management accountable for executing on its strategy. While this is the standard outside of Indian Country, GLI aspires to be the leader and role model in governance practices for Tribally-owned firms.
Since 2017, GLI has grown from just one employee to over 500. The firm received its initial funding in 2015, followed by additional funding from an agreement between the Gun Lake Tribe and the State of Michigan to fund GLIMI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GLI. GLIMI will receive 15% of the revenue share between the Tribe and the State to invest in non-gaming economic development projects within Michigan. Thanks to the assistance of key strategic partners, GLI has moved quickly to grow their portfolio beyond Noonday Market, and now holds six diverse investments, consisting of both real estate and operating companies. Through the foresight of the Tribal Council, and the foundation created by the Board, GLI is realizing its mission of diversifying the Tribal economy, injecting millions of dollars of investment back into the community, and improving the lives of those around us.
GLI continues to grow, looking to the future, while never forgetting the rich history it is empowered to uphold. “We are committed to being good stewards of the funds entrusted to us to ensure financial stability for the Gun Lake Tribal community,” Kurtis Trevan, CEO.