Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish
The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians, commonly known as the Gun Lake Tribe, is a federally recognized Native American tribe located in Michigan. The tribe's headquarters is located in Bradley, Michigan.
The tribe's name is derived from a prominent 18th-century Potawatomi chief, Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish, who was a hereditary chief of the Potawatomi, part of the Council of Three Fires, which also includes the Ottawa and Ojibwe tribes.
Chief Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish signed the Treaty of Greenville in 1795, which concluded the Northwest Indian War and ceded significant territories in the Midwest to the U.S. government. He later signed the Treaty of Chicago in 1821, which reserved a three-square-mile tract for his people at the head of the Kalamazoo River, an area that later developed into present-day Kalamazoo.
The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band has its roots in a mixed community of descendants from the Ojibwe, Ottawa, and Potawatomi peoples who historically inhabited the Great Lakes region. Following pressures from European settlers, many tribal members relocated to avoid forced removal, eventually establishing a permanent settlement near Gun Lake around 1838.
The tribe struggled through various treaties that often resulted in land loss without compensation. Notably, after signing treaties in 1827 and 1832 that ceded further land rights, they faced significant displacement and movement across Michigan.
The tribe was officially recognized by the federal government on August 23, 1999, after a long process that began in the 1980s. This recognition allowed them to establish a formal government structure and pursue economic development opportunities. The tribe adopted its constitution in 2000, which outlines governance by a seven-member elected council.
Today, the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band operates under its sovereign authority with a focus on cultural preservation, economic self-sufficiency, and community welfare. They have developed various enterprises, including gaming operations that contribute to their economic growth.
Indian Tribes in the United States
As of 2024, there are 574 Tribal entities recognized by the Bureau of Indian
Affairs (BIA) by virtue of their status as Indian Tribes.
The largest tribes, based on the number of enrolled members (numbers reflect estimates), are:
:: Navajo Nation ::
Approximately 399,494 enrolled members. The Navajo Nation spans parts of Arizona, New Mexico,
and Utah, making it the largest tribe in terms of population and land area.
:: Cherokee Nation ::
Around 450,000 enrolled members according to the tribe itself, although the 2022 American Community
Survey lists about 239,224. The Cherokee Nation is primarily located in Oklahoma.
:: Sioux Nation ::
Estimated at 100,575 members across various Sioux tribes, including the Oglala and Standing Rock Sioux.
:: Choctaw Nation ::
Approximately 90,321 enrolled members. The Choctaw primarily reside in Oklahoma.
:: Ojibwe (Chippewa) ::
About 87,888 enrolled members. The Ojibwe people are located in various states including Minnesota and Wisconsin.
:: Apache Nations ::
Roughly 73,085 members across different Apache tribes.
:: Lumbee Tribe ::
Approximately 58,226 enrolled members, primarily located in North Carolina.
:: Pueblo Tribes ::
Collectively around 49,201 members across various Pueblo tribes in New Mexico.
:: Muscogee (Creek) Nation ::
About 36,446 enrolled members located primarily in Oklahoma.
:: Yaqui Tribe ::
Approximately 35,442 members based mostly in Arizona.
