Tribal Council
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 General Election will take place in 2022.
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Jeff Martin, SecretarySalem DistrictElected 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. |
![]() Tomie Williamson, TreasurerBradley DistrictTomie Williamson was elected to Tribal Council in 2018 continuing her steadfast involvement with the continued success of Gun Lake Casino and Gun Lake Tribe. Tomie represents the Bradley District and serves as the Tribal Council Treasurer. From 2010 until 2013, she served as the first Chairperson of the Gun Lake Tribal Gaming Commission. Tomie returned to the TGC in the Licensing Department in 2014; shortly after, she became the Manager of the Compliance Department and ultimately served as the Director of Compliance before her election to the Tribal Council. Tomie also serves as the Vice Chair for the Gun Lake Investments Board of Directors and previously served on the Election Committee and the Powwow Committee. With her passion for the revitalization of the Pottawatomi language and culture, environmental initiatives (including hunting & fishing treaty rights) and supporting our Elders and Youth, Tomie strives to make our Elders proud of the work Tribal Council is doing each day and works to inspire our Youth to serve their Tribe in the future. As a woman dedicated to her family, Tomie is honored by her heritage. She is the granddaughter of the late Reverend Joe and Sarah (Whitepigeon) Sprague as well as a descendant of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, granddaughter of the late Andrew and Theresa (Peters) Falcon. Tomie is part of the Crane Clan and grew up on the Isabella Indian Reservation with her mother and father, Marian (Sput) and Andy Falcon, along with her younger siblings Andy Jr. and Alicia. Tomie is married to Pastor Todd Williamson and together they have seven children. |
Nicole Overbeck, Council MemberBradley DistrictElected 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.
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Ben Brenner, Council MemberSalem DistrictBen Brenner was elected to serve on Tribal Council representing the Salem District in August 2020. Grandson of Rev. Lewis White Eagle Church and Gladys church and the son of Frances Church-Pratt, Councilor Brenner has deep roots with Gun Lake Tribe. Ben grew up in the Hopkins area where he still resides today with his wife Stacy and their three wonderful daughters – Grace, Olivia and Claire. He is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking and camping; but even more than that, he takes pride in serving his family and community. With a passion for serving the Tribal community, Ben is dedicated to protecting Gun Lake Tribe’s sovereignty by exercising treaty rights and honoring the vision of our Elders. He worked as a Tribal Administrator for two years and a Senior Director of Operations following that until his election to Tribal Council. Ben also previously served as a Gaming Commissioner for the Gun Lake Tribal Gaming Commission, Health & Human Services Committee member, and Finance and Audit Committee member. Lastly, Ben also serves on the Hopkins Board of Education. Ben was a graduate of Hopkins High School, graduated from Ferris State University with a Bachelor of Science and currently attends Western Michigan University Cooley Law School in addition to his responsibilities on Tribal Council. |