Episode 4: Community Development, The COVID-19 Impact & The Tribal Response with Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozsum

YIMBY Nation (Yes, In My Back Yard)

On today’s show, we are pleased to welcome Bruce “Two Dogs” Bozum, President of Eight Paws NDN, a Native Gaming Consulting firm. Bruce was first elected to the Mohegan Tribal Council in 2004, where served for eight years as Chairman and helped to secure refinancing for Mohegan Sun. He was involved in the expansion of the Mohegan Sun brand into Pennsylvania, Atlantic City, Washington State, Massachusetts, and New York. In this episode, Bruce describes community development in the sovereign state of the Mohegan Tribe, including how its community is housed on the reservation, whether or not they are affected by the affordable housing crisis in Connecticut, and what we can learn from their community revenue sharing structure. We also touch on the perceptions of outsiders, what pushback the Mohegans receive from NIMBY locals as they look to expand, and how home and land ownership works on the reservation. Tune in today to learn more about the Mohegan approach to building a more resilient and equitable community!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Bruce introduces himself and how he came to operate Mohegan Sun.
• How the Mohegan Tribe as a sovereign nation determines how its community is housed.
• Bruce responds to the affordable housing crisis in Connecticut; whether the tribe is affected.
• How it works if a tribe member is interested in housing outside the reservation.
• The pushback the Mohegan Tribe receives from NIMBY locals as they seek to expand.
• Hear about the Mohegan attitude towards family and how they look out for their own.
• The short-term impacts of COVID-19 on Bruce’s community of 3,000 individuals.
• Learn about Mohegan tribal structure and governance and the role Bruce plays.
• Bruce elaborates on their revenue sharing structure and how his community has been affected by the eviction crisis.
• What states and business leaders can learn from the Mohegan Tribe community.
• How Bruce responds to perceptions from outsiders, who believe the Mohegans are wealthy.
• The difference in ownership between Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods.
• Bruce talks about expansion of the Mohegan Sun brand and opportunities for new facilities.
• What Bruce has been working on, including the song he has out on Spotify.
• Find out how home and land ownership works on the Mohegan reservation.
• Bruce’s advice for building stronger and more equitable communities: communication is key!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Bruce "Two Dogs" Bozum on LinkedIn

Mohegan Sun

Vincencia Adusei on LinkedIn

Vincencia Adusei on Twitter

VASE Construction

Jimmy Miller on LinkedIn

Censere Consulting

Peter Wood on LinkedIn

YIMBY Nation Email

YIMBY Nation