Committees

Committees

Kinomáge Committee

The Kinomáge Committee was recently formed from a merging of the Education Committee and the Library Committee. Committee members are appointed and serve in an advisory capacity. Our committee consists of Tribal Community Members who are passionate and devoted to Education Department programs and offer a wide variety of creative ideas and points of view.

Committee Members:

  • Desirae Pyle
  • Jen Palmer
  • Jordan Comer
  • Taylor Schmidt-Taylor
  • Cerena Read
  • Jodie Palmer, Tribal Council Liaison

Environmental Committee

The Environmental Committee reviews proposed projects and helps guide program development and decision-making regarding environmental and natural resource areas. The Environmental Committee works in collaboration with the Environmental Department to provide general direction while ensuring that the Tribal Council is kept informed.

Committee Members:

  • Desirae Pyle
  • Mason Vernia
  • Kelly Church
  • Ramsey Garza
  • Alicia Falcon

Housing Committee

The purpose of the Housing Committee is to ensure proper oversight and the effective administration of housing program assistance being provided to tribal families through the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish-Band of Pottawatomi Indians Housing Department in furtherance of the Mission of the Committee.

Committee Members:

  • Coleen Nessner – Chairperson
  • Jodie Palmer – Alternate Chairperson
  • Daniel Cornelissen – Committee Member

Cultural Advisory Committee

The Cultural Advisory Committee meets monthly to advise the Language & Culture Department on the goals and activities of the Gun Lake Tribe in accordance with the Gun Lake Tribe’s Mission Statement – 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.

Committee Members:

  • Michael Pigeon Jr.
  • Mary Bush, (Youth Representative)
  • Jodie Palmer (Liaison to Tribal Council)
  • Mae Pego (Elder Representative)
  • Jennifer Palmer
  • Genevieve Sprague (Secretary)

Powwow Committee

The Pow Wow committee meets monthly at the minimum and more frequently as the Round Dance and Powwow get closer. This committee assists with the planning, organization and facilitation of the Annual Round Dance and Powwow – two of the largest annual events hosted by the Gun Lake Tribe.

Committee Members:

  • Jennifer Palmer (Co-Chair)
  • Cassandra Bush (Co-Chair)
  • Amy Austin (Treasurer)
  • Natalie Pond (Secretary)
  • Jeff Martin (Ex-Officio)
  • Cetan Thunder Hawk
  • Junsun Bush

Enrollment Committee

The Enrollment Committee is responsible for the accepting or rejecting of all enrollment applications into the Gun Lake Tribe.

Committee Members:

  • Amanda Sprague – Chairperson
  • Dawn Lenger – Committee Member
  • Kara Wilson – Committee Member

Revenue Allocation Plan/General Welfare Assistance Committee

The Revenue Allocation Plan/General Welfare Assistance Committee is responsible for creating and recommending by-laws for approval by Council to govern its action. In conjunction with the Revenue Allocation Plan Administrator the committee develops and recommends policies, rules and/or regulations to Tribal Council necessary for the effective administration and overall operation of the Tribe’s Revenue Allocation Plan and General Welfare Assistance Program.

Committee Members:

  • Codie Grigsby – Chairperson
  • Dawn Lenger – Vice-Chairperson
  • Steven Levandoski – Committee Member
  • Britney Robach – Committee Member
  • Kieran Fisher – Committee Member

THPO Advisory Committee

The purpose of the THPO Advisory Committee is to advise the Tribal Historic Preservation Office on the historical/cultural preservation and repatriation goals and activities of the Gun Lake Tribe. The Committee meets on the first Month of every other month at 3:30 p.m (February, April, June, August, October, and December 2024). THPO Advisory Committee meetings are open for GLT Citizens to attend. Please contact Kaila Akina at 269.397.1780 or kaila.akina@glt-nsn.gov for meeting details.

Committee Members:

  • Richard Church
  • Phyllis Davis (NAGPRA Representative)
  • Ramsey Garza
  • Rohmell Garza
  • Nicole Overbeck (Ex Officio Member)
  • Paul Shananaquet
  • Brian Trevan (Ex Officio Member)
  • Committee Youth Representative (between the ages of 16-21 years old)
    • Mary Shabanaa Bush

MBPI Rights Board

The purpose of the MBPI Rights Board is to develop recommendations for Tribal Council related to the preservation and promotion of the Tribe’s reserved aboriginal and treaty rights, including but not limited to the preservation and protection of cultural resources and places. The Rights Board meets on an as needed basis. The designated open sessions of the Rights Board meetings are open for GLT Citizens to attend. Please contact Lakota Hobia at lakota.hobia@glt-nsn.gov or Liz Binoniemi-Smith at elizabeth.binoniemi-smith@glt-nsn.gov or 269.397.1780 for meeting details.

Board Members:

  • Liz Binoniemi-Smith (Secretary)
  • James “Bud” Day
  • Lakota Hobia (Vice Chair)
  • Steven Levandoski, Jr.
  • Dakota Phelps
  • John Shagonaby (Chair)
  • Holly Trevan
  • Zeke Fletcher (Ex Officio Member)
  • Ben Brenner (Ex Officio Member)
  • Current Vacancies
    • Junior Board Members (Up to 2 seats, between the ages of 18-21 years old)

Collections & Exhibitions Advisory Committee

The purpose of the Collections & Exhibitions (C&E) Advisory Committee is to advise the Tribal Historic Preservation Office on the Archives and Collections Program’s goals and activities of the Gun Lake Tribe. The committee typically meets on the first Wednesday of every other month at 2:00 pm (January, March, May, July, September, and November 2024). C&E Advisory Committee meetings are open for GLT citizens to attend. Please contact Rebecca Rupe at 269-397-1780 or rebecca.rupe@glt-nsn.gov for meeting details.

Committee Members:

  • Frank Barker
  • Vacancy (Chair)
  • Genevieve Sprague (Vice Chair)
  • Tomie Williamson
  • Holly Trevan
  • Nicole Overbeck (Ex Officio Member)
  • Brian Trevan (Ex Officio Member)

Ogitch-E-Daa Society of the Pottawatomi Nations

The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians Ogitch-E-Daa Society of the Pottawatomi Nations is the continuations of the pre-Native American traditions to acknowledge the contributions and sacrifices warriors have made and continue to make, to preserve and protect the unity of our nation. We are grateful to our creator for the blessings of Freedom.

Society Members

  • D.K. Sprague – Commander
  • Dale Anderson – Vice Commander
  • Brant J. Mitchell – Secretary
  • Robert Olivarri – Chaplain
  • Sam Austin
  • Mike Cornelissen
  • Fred Lenger
  • Jeff Martin Sr.
  • Michael S. Mitchell, Sr.
  • Jim Nessner
  • Amos Pond
  • Rod Van Oeveren
  • Marcus Badger
  • Tom Church
  • George Martin
  • Janet Ybarra Tuner
  • Tammy Willis
  • Matthew Mitchell
  • Linda Keeley