Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians of Michigan
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| Ed Pigeon, Tribal Vice-Chairman and cultural/language coordinator, and baby |
| Regions with significant populations |
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 United States ( Michigan) |
| Languages |
| Religion |
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traditional tribal religion, Christianity |
| Related ethnic groups |
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Three Fires Council (Odawa, Ojibwe, and other Potawatomi tribes) |
The Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians of Michigan is a federally recognized tribe of Potawatomi people in Michigan. They were formerly known as the Gun Lake Tribe or Gun Lake Band.[1] They are headquartered in Dorr, Michigan.
Contents |
[edit] Enrollment
The tribe's enrollment is currently closed to everyone, except newborn babies of current tribal members.[2]
[edit] Government
The tribe was recognized by the US federal government in 1998. The current tribal council is as follows:
- David K. Sprague, Chairperson
- Ed Pigeon, Vice-Chair
- Ardis Badger, Secretary
- Coleen Nessner, Treasurer
- Junsun Kegaba Bush (Meskubana), Bradley District Councilperson
- Phyllis Davis, At-Large Councilperson
- Lorraine "Punkin" Shananaquet, Salem District Councilperson
[edit] Tribal enterprises
The tribe publishes a newspaper, called The Tribal Tribune.[2] They provided cultural workshops on traditional practices, such as cradle fire from flint, maple sugar, basswood and hemp dogbane cordage, Snowsnakes or Zhoshke'nayabo, and black ash basketry, a traditional art form among Michigan tribes.[3]
[edit] Language
The Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Pottawatomi are working with the Pokagon Band and Nottawaseppi Huron Band on a language program, Ggitike’men Ode Zheshmowen (We Grow the Language). Each tribe offers weekly language classes. The Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band's classes are taught by Ed Pigeon and Kevin Finney and are held every Monday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Luella Collins Community Center in Shelbyville, Michigan.[3]
[edit] See also
- Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish, 18th and 19th century Ojibwe chief
[edit] References
- ^ "Tribal Council." Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi. (retrieved 18 Dec 2009)
- ^ a b "Member Services." Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi. (retrieved 18 Dec 2009)
- ^ a b "Language/Culture." Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi. (retrieved 18 Dec 2009)
