Contact:
Cean Burgeson
(269) 397-1780 XT 1212
(269) 615-9269 (cell)
BRADLEY, MICH., Oct. 4, 2024 – Members of Gun Lake Tribe’s Tribal Council were sworn into office on Thursday, Oct. 3. Four Tribal Council seats were up for vote in August. Two incumbents, Ben Brenner and Jodie Palmer, were reelected, and two new Council members, Ed Pigeon and Brian Trevan, were voted in. Pigeon was a member of the Tribal Council from 1999 to 2020 and held the position of Vice Chairman from 2008 until 2020. Trevan has worked at the Gun Lake Casino since its opening in 2011 on the Player Development team.
“We welcome Brian Trevan to Tribal Council and welcome back Ed Pigeon. The Council and I look forward to the fresh viewpoints that these new Councilors will bring to the leadership of Gun Lake Tribe,” said Tribal Council Chairman Bob Peters.
One of the departing Council Members is Phyllis Davis, who is retiring after 26 years of service to the Tribe. She was first elected to Council in 2008.
“Many thanks are due to Phyllis Davis for her years of service,” said Peters. “She worked for the Tribe prior to Federal Recognition in 1999 and was instrumental in the development of the Tribal Health and Human Services Department and a variety of other important Tribal initiatives.”
These initiatives include serving on the National Tribal Budget Formulation workgroup for Indian Health Service (IHS), Tribal Leaders Diabetes Workgroup, and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services of America. Davis has also been an Alternate for the National Indian Health Board, representing 34 Federally Recognized Tribes and five Urban Centers in the Bemidji Area. Additionally, she serves as Chairperson for the Great Lakes Area Tribal Health Board.
Jeff Martin is also departing Council, to which he was elected in 2016 and served as Tribal Council Secretary. A Tribal Elder and Ogitchedaa, Martin served in the U.S. Armed Forces, United States Army, from 1982 until 2003. Martin is also Midewiwin in the Three Fires Midewiwin Lodge.
“I’d also like to thank Jeff for his service and his passion for teaching others about our culture, especially with events such as the Eagle Staff Gathering we recently hosted, that brought together more than 50 Eagle Staff Carriers from multiple states and Canada,” said Peters.
His first employment with the Tribe was in the Surveillance Department at Gun Lake Casino, and Martin has also served on the Powwow Planning Committee, as well as serving as a member of the Gun Lake Tribal Ogitchedaa Society.
As a Federally Recognized Indian Tribe, Gun Lake Tribe is a sovereign nation with the powers of self-government. As such, Tribal Council is the elected governing body, comprised of seven Gun Lake Tribal Citizens. Serving Council Members are elected for a four-year term, with terms being staggered based on the voting district represented. Each Council Member must run for and gain re-election during their cycle to retain their seat on Gun Lake Tribal Council.
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About Gun Lake Tribe
The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi (Gun Lake Tribe) has a rich history in West Michigan and close connection to the land. The Bradley Indian Mission, located near Wayland, is the historic residential and cultural center point of the tribal community. The Tribe’s ancestors, and political predecessors, signed treaties with the United States government dating back to 1795. The Tribe was re-affirmed to federal recognition in 1999. For more information about the Tribe, visit https://gunlaketribe-nsn.gov/.
About Gun Lake Casino
Gun Lake Casino, a premier gaming and entertainment destination, is located off Exit 61 on U.S. 131, halfway between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. Gun Lake Casino has begun a $300-million expansion which features a 252-room 4-diamond hotel, a full-service spa, meeting space, and additional dining options. The Wawyé Oasis, a stunning 32,000-square-foot glass atrium with a year-round tropical climate, will feature a state-of-the-art entertainment center with multiple pools. This space will also serve as a vibrant nightclub, live concert venue, and versatile banquet facility. The expansion is scheduled to open in the Spring of 2025.
Currently, the casino offers a variety of thrilling gaming options, including 2,300 state-of-the-art slot machines, over 50 table games, a live poker room, a modern sportsbook, and keno. Gun Lake Casino is comprised of high-quality dining amenities, including Shkodé Chophouse with a contemporary take on American cuisine, CBK (Craft·Bar·Kitchen) inspired by the brewery culture in Michigan, 131 Sportsbar & Lounge with over 6,500 square feet of meeting space, and over 1,000 square feet of viewing surface for panoramic views of live event, and Harvest Buffet featuring fresh ingredients, cooked to order.
Gun Lake Casino is owned by the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians. Gun Lake Casino is committed to giving back by seeking opportunities to improve the quality of life in the community in which it serves. We believe it is a privilege and responsibility to help build and maintain a positive and healthy community. For more information, visit www.gunlakecasino.com.
