[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 67 (Thursday, May 25, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E833]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE GRAND TRAVERSE BAND OF OTTAWA AND CHIPPEWA INDIANS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 24, 2000

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, as a lifelong Michigan resident, and as Co-
Chair of the House Congressional Native American Caucus, it gives me 
great pleasure to stand before you today to speak on the Grand Traverse 
Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. On May 27, the Band will celebrate 
20 years of reaffirmed federal recognition.
  The Grand Traverse Band has a rich and long history. The Tribe 
entered into treaties with the United States in 1836 and 1855. These 
treaties specified land for the Band, but a misinterpretation caused 
the Band's recognition to be terminated, and it was left without 
federal assistance. Determined to rectify this error, the Tribe applied 
for federal recognition under the Indian Reorganization Act in 1934, 
and was denied by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. It tried again, 
unsuccessfully in 1943. Such disappointment would have deterred many 
people, but the members of the Grand Traverse Band were steadfast, and 
tried once again in 1978, and on May 27, 1980, the Tribe's federal 
recognition was finally reaffirmed.
  In these twenty years, the Grand Traverse Band has served as a strong 
example of tribal self-determination. It has developed a strong 
socioeconomic system. It established a solid infrastructure, and 
provides many governmental services to its members. The Tribe is the 
county's largest employer and is among the largest employers within a 
six-county area. Northwest Michigan is a better place because of the 
Grand Traverse Band.
  Last year, the Tribe was honored by Harvard University for providing 
an outstanding example of tribal governance. The Harvard Project on 
American Indian and Economic Development noted the Tribe's innovation 
in crafting a formula for distributing its share of the Michigan Indian 
Land Claim Settlement Award. I would also like to acknowledge George 
Bennett, Chairman of the Tribe, and my friend of more than 30 years, 
for his leadership.
  Mr. Speaker, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians 
have enriched many lives with its history and heritage. I consider 
myself a better person for working alongside the Tribe on many issues 
and concerns. After a long fight to achieve federal recognition, the 
Band has much to celebrate with this milestone. I ask my colleagues in 
the 106th Congress to please join me in congratulating the Grand 
Traverse Band on 20 years of reaffirmed recognition of their retained 
sovereignty, and wishing it continued success.

                          ____________________