Tribal Council Members

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. The next Tribal Council Election will take place in 2020. 

Bob Peters, Tribal Chairman Bradley District Elected to Tribal Council, in September of 2014, Bob Peters has been very involved in the rapid growth and success of the Gun Lake Tribe. Bob held the position of Tribal Council Treasurer from 2016-2018, when he was selected as the Tribe's Chairman. Bob began his journey with the Tribe when he was employed with the Gaming Commission in December of 2010 where he held several different positions, supporting the opening and operation of the Gun Lake Casino. Bob was recently selected as one of the GRBJ's 40 Under 40 Business Leaders, sits on the Gun Lake Investments Board as well as the Gaming Authority Board and took part in the Harvard Executive Training Program.  Chairman Peters values family above all else and is very close with his mother, two sisters and and his nieces and nephews. Raised by a single Mother, he has been the 'man of the family' from a very young age. He also loves every opportunity he's given to immerse himself in teachings, traditions and cultural endeavors of the Tribe. With a passion for education, Bob loves opportunities to offer his experiences and knowledge to the younger generations of the Tribe and the Community.

Ed Pigeon, Vice Chairman Salem District A Gun Lake Tribal Council Member since 1999, Ed Pigeon is currently serving his fifth term. He represents the Salem Voting District of the Gun Lake Tribe and has been the Tribe’s Vice-Chairman for two terms, previously serving as the Acting Chairman, following the retirement of Chairman DK Sprague. Ed works full time for the Tribe and has helped to shape the direction and growth of the Tribal government during his tenure on Tribal Council. With a dedication to ensuring a prosperous future for all members of the Gun Lake Tribe, Ed has been a member of several departmental committees. He also serves as a member of both the Development Board and the Business Board. Ed has been involved in numerous Tribal accomplishments that have made a lasting impact on Tribal members and will continue to improve their opportunities and their lives. These projects include casino financing, land acquisition, formation of a Tribal non-profit, development and implementation of a revenue allocation plan, economic diversification, expansion of Tribal programs and he has lobbied on behalf of the Tribe at both State and Federal levels.

Jennie Pearl Heeren, Treasurer Bradley District Jennie has represented the Bradley Voting District since June of 2016. She has a great love for Pottawatomi culture and comes from a long line of Black Ash basket weavers – a cultural art that’s been passed down throughout the generations of her family and Jennie proudly teaching her sons the beautiful art in the hopes that it continues to be a valued part of her family’s and the Tribe’s heritage. Jennie has worked for the Tribe for a total of nine years – five years of which were in Health & Human Services. The past four years have been spent in the Education Department. She is passionate about the success of our Tribal Youth and future generations. Jennie is a member of Gun Lake Casino Scholarship Committee, the Project LAUNCH Advisory Board, Tribal Development Committee, Hopkins Public Schools Diversity Board, the Confederation of Michigan Tribal Education Directors (CMTED) and MDOT workgroups.

Jeff Martin, Secretary Salem District  Elected to the Gun Lake Tribal Council in August of 2016, Jeff Martin serves as Tribal Council Secretary and represents the Salem Voting District. A Tribal Elder, Ogitchedaa and family man, Jeff has been happily married for over 20 years with five children and two grandchildren. He served in the U.S. Armed Forces, United States Army, from 1982 until 2003, when he retired in December of that year. Jeff Martin is also Midewiwin in the Three Fires Midewiwin Lodge. Jeff’s first employment with the Gun Lake Tribe started as a Surveillance Operator with the Gun Lake Tribal Gaming Commission from June of 2012 up until November of 2016. He is very involved in many aspects of the Tribal Government Operations. Jeff currently serves on the Environmental Committee, Elders Committee, Pow Wow Planning Committee and the new Design Review Board. He is also a member of the Gun Lake Tribal Ogitchedaa Society.

Phyllis Davis, Council Member At-Large District Tribal Councilwoman, Phyllis Davis, currently resides in the Grand Valley region west of Standale Michigan. She was elected to Tribal Council August 2008 to represent the At-Large District for the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians of Michigan. Phyllis is married to Monte Davis Sr. and has two sons - Jeffery and Monte Jr. Phyllis is a very proud and grateful grandmother of three, Tristell, Blade and Gracie and finds the greatest joy in life are in spending time with her grandkids and family. Phyllis has worked for the Tribe since May of 1998 and was instrumental in the program development of the Tribal Health and Human Services Department. Phyllis has a true desire to see improvements in access to health care, to elevate the health status of American Indians and reduce the disparities that American Indians are challenged with daily. As an advocate for healthcare Phyllis has taken a proactive approach to addressing these needs, by promoting collaborations with tribal nations, local, regional and federal agencies to promote and educate our partners on issues related to American Indian health and human service gaps and to find solutions that will have the best outcome for our Tribal nation. She currently sits as Co-Chair for the Michigan Tribal Health Directors Association, the Resource Allocation committee for the Bemidji Area and is an alternate board member for the National American Indian/Alaskan Native Health Research Advisory Council.

Jodie Palmer, Council Member At-Large District Jodie Palmer was elected to serve on Tribal Council, representing the At-Large District, in 2016 and started serving full time in May of 2017. Growing up locally, in Allegan, Jodie is the daughter of Noel Webb and grandaughter of Stephen Marks. Jodie has been married over 45 years to her husband, Rick. Each of Jodie's three children work for the Gun Lake Tribe and she has seven beautiful grandchildren that live within five miles of her. She has made it her personal mission to live her life following the Seven Grandfather Teachings and she has begun her journey to officially join the Three Fires Midewiwin Lodge.  Jodie is very proud of the Gun Lake Tribe and the great services that are offered to take care of its Citizens and their families. She is extremely involved in several areas of the Tribe serving on the Education's Kinomage Committee, the Housing Committee, Elders Committee, the Tribal Gaming Authority, the Design Review Committee and previously on the Language Advisory Committee. Jodie also works hard outside of the Tribal Government and serves as the Secretary on the Catching the Dream Board and the Michigan Indian Elders Association Executive Board. She's also a member of the Kalamazoo Art League Board, Title IV Indian Education Parent Advisory Committee, YWCA One World Committee and the ERAC/E Committee.

Nicole Overbeck, Council Member Bradley District Elected to Tribal Council in 2018 representing the Bradley District, Nicole Overbeck has over 13 years of experience working for the Gun Lake Tribal Government. From an Administrative role to Finance to the Revenue Allocation Plan Administrator, Nicole has continuously been involved in positions that allow her to gain knowledge and experience of the inner workings of the Tribal Government. This knowledge has also lent itself to her passion for supporting and making a positive impact on the lives of Citizens in the Tribal Community.  Nicole proudly raises her two younger daughters and one grown daughter with her husband, Jeremy. As a busy mother, she's also found the time to serve on several Tribal Committees throughout the years. These include a previous stint on the HHS Committee, which she was recently reappointed to; the Justice Committee; the Election Committee; and the RAP/GWE Committee, which she is currently involved in but not as a voting member. Nicole also recently completed a term as a Gaming Commissioner where she was exposed to another facet of Tribal business. With all of her experience in various parts of the Tribal Government, Nicole is excited to work as a part of Tribal Council to make a difference for Gun Lake Tribe's Citizens.