Public Works
About the Public Works Department
The primary focus of the Public Works Department is facilities management of all Tribal properties. This includes maintenance and repairs to the buildings and the upkeep of the grounds. We currently manage all properties excluding the Gun Lake Casino, this means the Luella Collins Community Center, Camp Jijak, the Tribal Government campus, and the Bradley Indian Cemetery. The Department of Public Works does man both the Luella Collins Community Center and Jijak Camp. For scheduling an event at the Luella Collins Community Center or Camp Jijak, please contact Stephanie Trevan at Stephanie.Trevan@glt-nsn.gov or 269.397.1650.
Public Works Mission
Gun Lake Tribe’s Public Works Department strives to provide facilities that are safe, comfortable, efficient, and functional. We dedicate ourselves to providing services that repair, maintain, and modernize the tribal properties for the citizens and fellow employees of the Gun Lake Tribe.
Luella Collins Community Center
Designed with Tribal traditions in mind, the Community Center features a wide open great room with gorgeous high ceilings and a beautiful, centrally-located fireplace, a multipurpose room with a half court gym, three classrooms and a beautiful walkout deck with overlooking tranquil Boot Lake.
Outside of the beautiful Community Center, the property also features a walking trail through the woods, fun for the kids at the playground, and a covered pavilion overlooking Boot Lake, complete with a trail and dock to get a closer look.
History
The LCCC is dedicated to its namesake, former Tribal Councilwoman Luella Collins. She served on the Council from the time the Tribe formally began meeting in 1992 until September of 2004. Luella was known for her dependability, unique sense of humor and her dedication to both the history and the future of the Gun Lake Tribe. These are all attributes passed down from her father, former Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Chief, Jacob Sprague (1954-1959).
Before she walked on, Luella mentored younger Tribal Council members, using her wisdom and sense of fairness to mold them as future Tribal Leaders. She was always looking ahead for ways to better the Tribe and the Luella Collins Community Center was one of many steps toward the future she envisioned for the Gun Lake Tribal Community.
Events at LCCC
From weddings to baby showers and from training classes to business retreats, the Luella Collins Community Center is a beautiful location to host events of any type and size. With over 13,000 square feet of indoor space, the LCCC has a capacity of 297 and is completely ADA-compliant. The LCCC also features a full commercial kitchen for renters’ use along with use of our flatware, silverware and cups. There are also both round table and buffet-style long tables available for use – according to your event needs.
How to schedule your event at LCCC
Read the LCCC Reservation & Use Policy, then complete both our Reservation Form and LCCC Lease Agreement (found below) and return, along with the corresponding deposit and payment outlined in the Use Policy, to the Public Works department. Completed paperwork can be submitted by emailing PublicWorks@glt-nsn.gov or in person by dropping it off at the Front Desk of the Tribal Government’s Administration building “C/O Public Works.” Any applicable deposit refund will be issued once the completed Post-Use Checklist, which lists the tasks that you must complete for any area that your party uses, is reviewed and approved by our staff.
LCCC Reservation & Use Policies
LCCC Reservation Form
LCCC Lease Agreement
LCCC Post Use Checklist
*Please Note – Tribal Memorial Services will take precedence over any scheduled events at the Luella Collins Community Center. You will be notified as soon as possible if there is an interference and a refund or rescheduled date will be provided.
Camp Jijak
As you walk around this beautiful facility, take time to walk the trails and take a swim in the lake. We hope that you enjoy the facility as much as we do.
Out of respect for, and in honor of our relationship, with this land and this place, please care for it by properly disposing of trash. Thank you for your help in keeping this place beautiful for yourselves and others to enjoy.
Programs & Annual Events
Annual Snowsnake Games – January/February
Annual Kché Mko Gizes (Big Bear Moon) Round Dance – 3rd Saturday in January
Annual Sugarbush – February-April (weather dependent)
Tribal Garden – April-October (located at 126th Ave. entrance)
Summer Language/Education Programming – June-August
Tribal Youth Camp – June
Wishbemishkos Gizes (Sweetgrass Moon) Pow Wow – Mid-July
Wild Rice Processing – October/November
Harvest Feast – October/November
Full Moon Ceremonies – Monthly
There are many more activities and workshops throughout the year. For more information about cultural activities and events, please contact Culture@glt-nsn.gov or visit the event calendar.
Arena & Sacred Fire Pavilion
The Arena is host to our Annual Wishbemishkos Gizes (Sweetgrass Moon) Powwow each July as well as the Pottawatomi Gathering every 7-9 years. The Arena is also a great gathering place to host outdoor Tribal events.
The Sacred Fire Pavilion is utilized for our Sunrise Ceremonies during our large events such as the Round Dance and Powwow.
Skegmezegegemgok & Wagenogen
Skegmezegegemgok means evaporating building. This is the location where we evaporate maple sap into syrup and other maple products. The building was completed in 2014 and was built by a Timber Framer hired by the Tribe with the help of Gun Lake Tribe’s Public Works Department. Much of the the wood used to build the sugarhouse was taken from the property.
Wagenogen means bent house. This is the term we give our wigwam as it refers to its structure. Tribal Citizens assisted in the construction of this building as well. It is used for storytelling, traditional cooking and serves as a meeting place.
Dbekgizogemek/Kenomagewgemok
Dbekgizogemek – Moon Pavilion or Moon Lodge houses the ceremonies on the nights of the full moon. For more information, please contact the Language & Culture Department at Culture@glt-nsn.gov.
Kenomagewgemok, the teaching pavilion, is specifically that – a place to teach, learn and share throughout the year. It’s a great place to have cultural teachings or just gather together and have a meeting, talking circle or a workshop.
Camp Jijak Facility Rentals
The Gun Lake Tribe rents the Jijak Camp for community needs. See below for policies and forms.
Jijak Camp Rules
Reservation & Use Policy
Reservation Form
Temporary Key Request Procedure
Temporary Key Request Form
Public Works Staff
Philip Biron, Public Works Director
Bill Fodor, Camp Manager
Carlos Figeroa, Maintenance Electrician
Stephanie Trevan, Executive Assistant
Patrick Kelly, Maintenance Worker
Matt Heeren, Maintenance Worker
Todd Williamson, Maintenance Worker
Contact the Public Works Department
Contact Luella Collins Community Center
