We, the members of the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians of Michigan, will maintain our elders’ vision, integrity, spirituality, culture, and economic self-sufficiency by protecting our sovereignty, treaty rights, traditions, land and natural resources for our future generations.

We are very proud of how far the Gun Lake Tribe has come in recent decades. From humble beginnings with only a few key employees, to a fully-functioning Tribal Government housed at our beautiful government campus in Bradley, MI, that serves as our Tribal Nation’s Capital. Each day, the employees of the Gun Lake Tribal Government and the Tribal Council work toward improving the lives of Tribal Citizens and their families. We are also focused on continuing to provide education and information about the history and culture of the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians so that these traditions and beliefs may continue to be passed down to future generations.

Sovereignty

As a Federally Recognized Indian Tribe, the Gun Lake Tribe is a sovereign government. Tribal sovereignty in the United States is defined as the inherent authority of indigenous tribes to govern themselves within the borders of the United States. For more information about Tribal Sovereignty, click here. 

Tribal Council 

As a Federally Recognized Indian Tribe, the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi is a sovereign nation with powers of self-government. The Gun Lake Tribal Council is the elected governing body that is comprised of seven Gun Lake Tribal Members. Each Tribal Council Member is elected by voting Membership to serve a four-year term. These terms are staggered based on the voting district represented. After which, they must run for and gain re-election to remain a member of the Tribal Council.

To see more details about the current Gun Lake Tribal Council, click here. 

Tribal Constitution

If you’d like to see the Constitution of the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians, please log in to your Member Account.

2025 Tribal Government Holidays

New Year’s Day (Wednesday, January 1)
Memorial Day (Monday, May 26)
D.K. Sprague Day (Friday, June 27)
Floating Holiday (Thursday, July 3)
Independence Day (Friday, July 4)
Tribal Recognition Day (Friday, August 22)
Labor Day (Monday, September 1)
Michigan Indian Day (Friday, September 26)
Indigenous Peoples Day (Monday, October 13)
Thanksgiving Break (Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28)
Tribal Government Office Closure (Wednesday, December 24 - Wednesday, December 31)