Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians

Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians is a federally recognized tribe located in Michigan, United States, with ancestral ties to the Ottawa Nation and Chippewa Tribe. The tribe is part of the larger Anishinaabe people, which also includes the Odawa people and Potawatomi Tribe. The Grand Traverse Band has historical connections to the Treaty of Detroit and the Treaty of Washington, and has worked with organizations like the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the National Congress of American Indians to protect their rights and interests. The tribe has also been involved in efforts to preserve their cultural heritage, including language and traditional practices, with the help of institutions like the Smithsonian Institution and the National Museum of the American Indian.

● History

The history of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians dates back to the 17th century, when the Ottawa people and Chippewa people first encountered European colonizers like Jacques Marquette and Étienne Brûlé. The tribe was affected by the French and Indian War and the American Revolutionary War, and later signed the Treaty of Fort Meigs and the Treaty of Detroit. The Grand Traverse Band has historical ties to the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, and has worked with organizations like the Intertribal Council of Michigan and the United Tribes of Michigan to promote tribal sovereignty and self-determination. The tribe has also been involved in efforts to preserve their historical sites and cultural artifacts, including the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, with the help of institutions like the National Park Service and the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office.

● Government

The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians is a sovereign nation with its own tribal government, which is headquartered in Suttons Bay, Michigan. The tribe is led by a tribal chairman and a tribal council, which work together to make decisions and set policies for the tribe. The Grand Traverse Band has a constitution and bylaws that outline the structure and powers of the tribal government, and has established relationships with other tribes and organizations, including the National Tribal Chairmen's Association and the Tribal Nations Leadership Council. The tribe has also worked with institutions like the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs to address issues like law enforcement and tribal justice. The Grand Traverse Band has been recognized by the United States Congress and the State of Michigan, and has established a government-to-government relationship with the United States Department of the Interior and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

● Reservation

The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians has a reservation that covers over 4,000 acres of land in Grand Traverse County, Michigan, including the Leelanau Peninsula and the Old Mission Peninsula. The reservation is home to the tribe's government offices, as well as several community centers, schools, and health clinics. The Grand Traverse Band has established a land trust to manage and protect their tribal lands, and has worked with organizations like the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the United States Forest Service to promote sustainable land use and conservation practices. The tribe has also established relationships with neighboring communities, including the City of Traverse City and the Village of Suttons Bay, and has worked with institutions like the Michigan State University Extension and the Northwestern Michigan College to promote economic development and education.

● Economy

The economy of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians is diverse and includes industries like tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing. The tribe operates several businesses, including a casino, a hotel, and a gas station, and has established partnerships with companies like Chrysler and General Motors. The Grand Traverse Band has also established a tribal enterprise to promote economic development and job creation, and has worked with institutions like the Small Business Administration and the United States Department of Commerce to access resources and support. The tribe has also been involved in efforts to promote sustainable energy and environmental protection, including the development of wind energy and solar energy projects, with the help of organizations like the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Environmental Protection Agency.

● Culture

The culture of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians is rich and vibrant, and includes traditional practices like smudging, sweat lodge ceremonies, and powwows. The tribe has a strong tradition of storytelling and music, and has produced several notable artists and musicians, including Wilma Mankiller and Buffy Sainte-Marie. The Grand Traverse Band has established a cultural center to promote and preserve their cultural heritage, and has worked with institutions like the Smithsonian Institution and the National Museum of the American Indian to develop exhibits and programs. The tribe has also been involved in efforts to revitalize their language and traditional practices, including the development of language classes and cultural camps, with the help of organizations like the First Nations Development Institute and the National Congress of American Indians.

● Tribal Enrollment

To be eligible for tribal enrollment, individuals must be able to demonstrate lineal descent from a historical member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. The tribe has established a tribal enrollment office to process applications and maintain records, and has worked with institutions like the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the National Archives and Records Administration to access historical documents and records. The Grand Traverse Band has also established a tribal court to resolve disputes and address issues related to tribal enrollment, and has worked with organizations like the National Tribal Justice Center and the Tribal Law and Policy Institute to promote tribal justice and self-determination. The tribe has a total enrollment of over 4,000 members, and has established relationships with other tribes and organizations, including the Intertribal Council of Michigan and the United Tribes of Michigan, to promote tribal sovereignty and cooperation.

Category:Native American tribes in Michigan