Sovereignty and History

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• 1830’s: Six Ottawa and Chippewa bands reside in the Grand Traverse Region

• 1934: Grand Traverse Band petitions for federal recognition under tribal leadership of Ben Peshaba

• 1943: Grand Traverse Band petitions for federal recognition under tribal leadership of Casper Ance

• 1978: Grand Traverse Band petitions for federal recognition under tribal leadership of Dodie Harris Chambers

• 1980: Federal recognition granted to 300 members

• 1984: First Tribal Casino in the United States opens in Peshawbestown, MI

• 1988: U.S. Department of Interior ratifies the Tribal Constitution

• 1995: GTB creates an economic development corporation to drive commercial development

• Tribal constitution ensures that our rights and sovereignty are guaranteed by treaty with the federal government, meaning that we are an independent and self-ruling government

• 2000: Great Lakes Consent Decree Agreement

• 2007: Inland Hunting Consent Decree Agreement

• Service area extends over six Michigan counties

• The Grand Traverse Band has been an active participant in Tribal Self-Governance since Fiscal Year 1991

• 2013: GTB pays off Turtle Creek construction loan