From the Tribal Chairmans Office David Arroyo

Aanii Boozhoo!

Hello and greetings to Nimebine-giizis (May), the fifth month of the year Niizhingmdaaswaak-shiniizhtana-shinswi (2023). I hope everyone is enjoying Spring 2023 – I’m already looking forward to the upcoming summer months!

It was on May 27, 1980, that GTB achieved federal recognition! It will be 43 years since our official date of Federal Recognition and, in looking back at our tribal history, there were three attempts by GTB for seeking federal recognition: Ben Peshawbe petition in 1934 (the same year the Indian Reorganization Act was passed); Casper Ance petition in 1943; and the final, successful petition Dodie Chambers, et al., submitted in 1978. The story of the 1978 petition follows:

On May 19, 1978, Leelanau Indians, Inc., represented by Michigan Indian Legal Services, formally petitioned the federal government for federal recognition on behalf of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, the fourth tribal group nationwide to begin the Federal Acknowledgment Process (FAP). Ardith (Dodie) Chambers, the chair of Leelanau Indians, Inc., drove with three others all night to Washington, D.C., to deliver the petition to the Department of the Interior, only to be turned back at the lobby. On October 18, 1979, the Bureau of Indian Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register indicating its preliminary determination that the Grand Traverse Band should be federally recognized.

On May 27, 1980, the Grand Traverse Band officially became the first petitioner to earn federal recognition under the FAP… (Fletcher, Matthew L.M. (2012). The Eagle Returns: The legal history of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. East Lansing: Michigan State University Press, pg. 105.)

Below is the actual language posted in the Federal Register on March 25, 1980:

This notice is published in the exercise of authority delegated by the Secretary of the Interior to the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs by 209 DM 8.

Pursuant to 25 CFR 54.9(h) notice is hereby given that the Assistant Secretary acknowledges that the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, c/o Miss Ardith Harris, Post Office Box 37, Suttons Bay, Michigan 49682, exists as an Indian tribe. This notice is based on a determination that the group satisfied the criteria set forth in 25 CFR 54.7.

The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians is the modern successor of several bands of Ottawas and Chippewas which have a documented continuous existence in the Grand Traverse Bay area of Michigan since as early as 1675. Evidence indicates these bands, and the subsequent combined band, have existed autonomously since first contact, with a series of leaders who represented the band in its dealings with outside organizations, and who both responded to and influenced the band in matters of importance. The membership is unquestionably Indian, of Ottawa and Chippewa descent. No evidence was found that the members of the band are members of any other Indian tribes, or that the band of its members have been terminated or forbidden the Federal relationship by an Act of Congress.

Proposed findings that the band exists as an Indian tribe were published on page 60171 of the Federal Register of October 18, 1979. Interested parties were given 120 days in which to submit factual or legal arguments to rebut evidence used to support the findings that the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians exists as an Indian tribe. The 120-day comment period ended February 16… This determination shall become effective May 27, 1980 unless the Secretary of the Interior requests the determination be reconsidered pursuant to 25 CFR 54.10. Rick Lavis, Deputy Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs (Determination for Federal Acknowledgment of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians as an Indian Tribe, 45 Fed. Reg. 19321 (March 25, 1980)).

It was a 46-year journey to federal recognition, and another 8 years for development and approval of the GTB Constitution, for a total of 54 years to establish a federally recognized tribal government, having a governmentto-government relationship with the United States, with inherent rights of self-government through tribal sovereignty. Many Miigwetches to everyone’s hard work throughout the process, from our tribal members to Leelanau Indians Inc. to Michigan Indian Legal Services attorneys, and especially to our ancestors.

I would like to note that it was also on May 27th, 187 years ago, that the Treaty of 1836, also known as the Treaty of Washington, was proclaimed. With that treaty, Michigan became a state in 1837, while hunting and fishing rights were retained by tribes in the bordering waters and ceded territory (2/3 of Michigan). Below is a map of the 1836 Treaty’s ceded territory: whose theme was Naadimaadizang miinwaa Naadimaading (Helping one’s self and help one another). A fun and learning experience was had by all!

FY 2024 Budget Reviews with Staff and Public Meetings. Ongoing meetings with staff are being held beginning in April. The final public hearing is scheduled to be held during the May 17th Tribal Council Regular Session. Postcards have been sent to tribal membership, and the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 proposed budgets are available for review by Tribal Members after logging in to the Tribal Member Home Page on the GTB website (just scroll down to Annual Budgets). Comments and suggestions may also be sent via USPS to: Jodi Lewis, 2605 N. West Bay Shore Drive, Peshawbestown, MI 49682; or via email to Jodi.Lewis@gtb-nsn.gov or to members. speak@gtb-nsn.gov (Subject Line: FY24 Budgets).

Connecting with Changemakers Event. On April 19th the tribe hosted Rotary Charities’ Connecting with Changemakers event at the Strongheart Center in Peshawbestown. Rotary Charities has been holding these events in our region to informally gather with those doing good work - nonprofits, units of government, citizens, etc. These events help to build tighter connections throughout our region, and I was able to share some tribal history and culture with the participants.

Hybrid Zoom Tribal Council Meetings. The April 19th Tribal Council Regular Session was the first hybrid Zoom/in-person Tribal Council meeting and it went very smoothly. If you would like to attend online there are separate registrations and links for the Tribal Council Regular Sessions (the third Wednesday of each month) and the Tribal Council Special Sessions (the last Wednesday of each month). Please check the tribal website for more information.

Memorial Day is on Niizhtana-shizhaangsgwon-gizi (the 29th day) of Nimebinegiizis (May), an annual remembrance of those who lost their lives fighting for the freedoms we enjoy today, lest we ever forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Poppies –worn not only on Memorial Day but also on Veterans Day – are symbols of loss of life and of recovery and a renewal of life for those who survived. Others may also visit cemeteries to clean and decorate the graves of those we’ve lost. A National Moment of Remembrance will be held at 3:00pm local time, to take our hats off, remember and pray.

Tribal Consultation with Suttons Bay Schools. The Tribal Council and Tribal Manager attended a tribal consultation with Suttons Bay Public Schools on March 22, 2023. Title VI High School Students held a Meet and Greet with Tribal Council, and then there was a student-led tour of the elementary, middle and high schools. Presentations were made by the Superintendent and the Indigenous Education Program Director, along with meaningful conversations afterwards. Miigwetch to Samantha TwoCrow, SBPS Indigenous Education Program Director and Student Support Mentor for coordinating this informative consultation.

Meeting with Interlochen Center for the Arts. The Tribal Council has been contacted by leadership at the Interlochen Center for the Arts and a campus visit is scheduled at the end of April. We are looking forward to future meetings and collaborations.

Beach Fire Cannabis Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Event. The Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting event was held for our new recreational cannabis store on March 30th. Beach Fire Cannabis is located next to our Turtle Creek Market in Williamsburg.

Anishinaabemowin Teg Conference.

Naadmaadidaa Ji Zhaabwitoying

Gidinowewinaa (Let’s Help One Another Save the Sound of Our Language) conference was held in person on March 31 – April 1, 2023, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The keynote speaker was Ninaatig Staats-Pangowish,

Opposition to Camp Grayling Expansion. GTB officially took action at the April 19th Tribal Council Regular Session to approve GTB Resolution No. 23-41.3542 in opposition to the pending proposal to expand Camp Grayling by 162,000 acres “on the basis of the irreversible damage it will do to the environment and the impairment of our treaty rights.” Many state officials, counties, local governments and private citizens have taken action in opposition to the proposed project, as discussions with the state are ongoing.

COVID. An announcement on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website states as follows: “The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is planning for the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19…to expire at the end of the day on May 11, 2023…[T]he virus that causes COVID-19, remains a public health priority, but…we are in a better place in our response than we were three years ago, and we can transition away from the emergency phase.” (https://bit.ly/HHS_COVID-19_FS, Fact Sheet: COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Transition Roadmap) Please visit this website to learn more about this transition phase and recommendations by HHS.

To keep everyone safe, we would like to remind all GTB members and employees to follow safety guidelines if inside a GTB government building, an EDC facility, and/ or any tribally owned facility – as determined by those entities. This is for the protection and safety of our employees and the entire community.

Please visit the GTB website and events at https://bit.ly/GTBEvents and/or updates in this issue for further information about upcoming events.

I encourage any and all Tribal Members to contact my office with any respectful questions or concerns. You will get a response. This is my contact information:

David M. Arroyo, Tribal Chairman Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians 2605 N. West Bay Shore Drive Peshawbestown, MI 49682-9275

Office: 231-534-7129

Cell: 231-499-2607

Fax: 231-534-7010

Baamaapii Kawaabmin