The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi (NHBP) is a tribe of Potawatomi people in the United States that is recognized by the federal government. The tribe received federal recognition on December 19, 1995, and has about 1,500 members today.
The Pine Creek Indian Reservation is located at 42°06′18″N 85°15′40″W / 42.10500°N 85.26111°W / 42.10500; -85.26111 in Athens Township, southwestern Calhoun County, southwestern Michigan. The reservation covers just over 199 acres. The tribe also bought an extra 230 acres of land for its use and runs a casino for gaming in Battle Creek.
Name
The name of this Potawatomi group does not mean it is connected to the Huron people, who are a separate group. Instead, both "Nottawaseppi" and "Huron" describe the group's past location near the Clinton River in southeastern Michigan. This river was once called the Nottawasippee River or the Huron River of St. Clair. The word "Nottawa" in Nottawasippee comes from the Ojibwe language and was a disrespectful term used to describe the Huron people, who lived in the area before the Potawatomi, Odawa, and Ojibwe arrived.
History
In the 19th century, the Potawatomi people and related Odawa and Ojibwe groups of the Anishinaabe formed a group called the Council of Three Fires. These groups were not controlled by a single leader, and each band made its own decisions. During the 17th and 18th centuries, many bands moved into what is now Michigan.
The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi signed a treaty with the United States in 1820 to give up much of its land. In return, the United States assigned the band a smaller area of land as its reservation. This land is located at 42°06′18″N 85°15′40″W (42.10500°N 85.26111°W) in Athens Township, southwestern Calhoun County.
In the 20th century, the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act aimed to help tribes create self-government. However, the nine historic bands of Odawa, Ojibwe, and Potawatomi in Michigan were not included in this law. These bands had to work independently to gain or confirm their status as recognized tribes, a process that continues today.
The band organized to restore self-government and was confirmed as a tribe in 1995 through a law passed by Congress. The tribe’s main office is in Wakeshma Township, near Athens, in the southwestern part of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. This location is about 17 miles southwest of Battle Creek (approximately 22 miles by car). Athens Township is part of a larger city’s metropolitan area. The Band also has satellite offices in Grand Rapids, about 74 miles north of Fulton/Athens. The tribe’s service area includes the reservation and members living in Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Ottawa, Kent, and Allegan counties.
Government
The NHBP is ruled by a written constitution and an elected tribal council with five members. These positions include Chairperson, Vice-chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and Sergeant-at-Arms.
The NHBP Tribal Court was created in 2006. It is led by a Tribal Chief Justice.
The NHBP administration is organized into departments such as Administration, Bkedé O Mshiké, Communications, Culture, Finance, Environmental, Government Records, Human Resources, Information Technology, Legal, Membership Services, Planning, Public Works, Social Services, and Tribal Historic Preservation Office.
Economy
The NHBP owns FireKeepers Casino, a 236,000-square-foot (21,900 m²) casino with a 2,078-space parking garage. It is located on 78 acres (320,000 m²) in Battle Creek, Michigan. This operation follows an agreement with the state of Michigan. The NHBP also owns Waséyabek Development Company, LLC, which helps the community become financially independent by managing businesses that are not related to gambling, such as buying, building, and investing in companies.
Tribal timeline of events
- 1970 – The Tribe is officially formed in the state of Michigan. A written constitution and an elected Tribal Council are created to govern the Tribe.
- 1995 – On December 19, the United States government officially recognizes the Tribe as a federally acknowledged tribe.
- 1998 – The Tribe buys a 155-acre (630,000 m²) property on Q Drive near Fulton, Michigan.
- 2000 – A building for administrative purposes is constructed.
- 2003 – A trail system for multiple uses, such as walking or biking, is built.
- 2004 – Road construction starts. On August 7, the Athens Arch is dedicated at Athens High School by the Athens Superintendent of Schools. The arch honors the history of the Huron Potawatomi and the friendly relationship between the Tribe and the town of Athens, Michigan.
- 2005 – The Tribe builds its first set of single-family homes on the Reservation. These homes are designed to use energy efficiently.
- 2006 – A Tribal court is created to handle legal matters within the Tribe.
- 2007 – A Community Center and Health Center are built. A 79-acre (320,000 m²) piece of land in Emmett Township is placed into Federal trust for the Tribe. Additionally, 75 acres (300,000 m²) of the Q Drive property is enrolled in the USDA wetland reserve program.
- 2008 – Construction of FireKeepers Casino in Battle Creek, Michigan, begins.
- 2009 – FireKeepers Casino opens on August 5, 2009.
- 2010 – Laura Spurr, chairwoman of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band and a leader in developing FireKeepers Casino, passes away on February 19, 2010.