Bay Mills Indian Community facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bay Mills Indian Community
Gnoozhekaaning
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Locations within Chippewa County
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 Bay Mills Indian Community
Location in Michigan
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Chippewa |
| Land purchased | 1936 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Executive Council |
| Area | |
| • Land | 4.793 sq mi (12.41 km2) |
| Population
(2017)
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| • Total | 2,057 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) | |
| Area code(s) | 906 |
The Bay Mills Indian Community (BMIC) is a group of Ojibwe people. Their name in the Ojibwe language is Gnoozhekaaning, which means "Place of the Pike." They are one of the many federally recognized Sault Ste. Marie bands of Ojibwe. This community has its own land base, called an Indian reservation.
Most of the reservation is in Chippewa County, Michigan. It's about 15 miles (25 km) west-southwest of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The tribe owns land in both Bay Mills and Superior townships. A smaller part of their land is on Sugar Island, southeast of Sault Ste. Marie.
Contents
History of the Bay Mills Ojibwe
The Ojibwe are a large Native American tribe. For hundreds of years, they have lived around the Great Lakes. This includes areas near Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. Their lands are now split between Canada and the United States.
Early Life and Changes
Many Ojibwe groups lived around the cities of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Ontario. These cities grew from old French and British fur trading posts. Over time, a community formed with Native Americans, Métis people, and European settlers.
In the 1800s, Ojibwe groups in Michigan had to give up much of their land to the United States. Many bands lost their homes. But they worked hard to keep their culture and communities strong.
Establishing the Community
The Bay Mills people are Ojibwe who have lived for centuries. Their traditional lands were around Whitefish Bay, the St. Marys River falls, and the bluffs near Tahquamenon Bay. These places are all on Lake Superior, southwest of Sault Ste. Marie. The Bay Mills Indian Community was officially started by the U.S. government on June 19, 1860.
Modern Government and Land
In 1934, the U.S. government passed the Indian Reorganization Act. This law helped Native American tribes create their own governments. The Bay Mills Indian Community (BMIC) wrote its own constitution on November 27, 1937. The government approved this new way of ruling themselves.
The U.S. government also bought land for the community. This land became their official reservation. It was one of four reservations created in Michigan under the 1934 law. These lands, along with the original Bay Mills Mission and a small area on Sugar Island, make up most of the reservation today.
Working Together with Other Tribes
In 1966, the BMIC helped start the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan. This council was created to help tribes work together. They wanted to improve relationships with state and federal governments. The council now includes 11 of the 12 federally recognized tribes in Michigan.
Important Community Places
In May 2021, the Kateri Tekakwitha church in Bay Mills, Michigan, was damaged by a fire. This church was important to the community.
Bay Mills Reservation Land
The Bay Mills reservation land is held in trust by the U.S. government. It is split into two main areas.
Land Size and Location
As of the year 2000, most of the land was about 3.761 square miles (9.74 km²). This part is northwest of Brimley, Michigan. It is in the eastern parts of Bay Mills and Superior townships.
The other part is about 1.032 square miles (2.674 km²). This section is on Sugar Island. Sugar Island is in the St. Marys River, southeast of Sault Ste. Marie.
When the tribe officially organized in 1937, their total land was about 4.793 square miles (12.41 km²). About 812 people lived there at that time.
Growing the Land Base
Since the late 1900s, the Tribe has bought more land. Today, their land base is about 3,494 acres (14.14 km²). Most of this land, about 3,109 acres (12.58 km²), is held in trust by the federal government.
Protecting the Environment
The Bay Mills Indian Community cares deeply about its natural surroundings. They have a special department to help protect the environment.
Biological Services Department
The Biological Services Department works to keep fish, wildlife, and plants healthy. They also protect lakes and rivers. Their staff studies and watches the environment on tribal lands and nearby areas.
Key Environmental Programs
Some of their important programs include:
- Studying Great Lakes fish.
- Assessing fish and wildlife in inland areas.
- Managing forests.
- Controlling invasive species (plants or animals that don't belong).
- Checking beach health.
- Testing water quality.
- Running recycling programs to reduce harmful chemicals.
The department also teaches the community about environmental protection. They do this through public events and printed materials.
Recycling Efforts
The Biological Services Department helps prevent dangerous chemicals from harming the environment. They do this by supporting recycling and waste collection programs.
Clean Water Support
Clean water is very important to the Bay Mills Indian Community. The Clean Water Act is a U.S. law that helps tribes protect their water. The EPA gave the Bay Mills Indian Community a grant of $124,400. This money helps them protect human health and the environment by keeping their waters clean. The funding allows the tribe to continue programs that control water pollution. It also supports water quality testing and community education.
Economy and Jobs
The Bay Mills Indian Community has worked to create jobs and income for its members.
Gaming and Economic Growth
In the mid-1990s, laws changed to allow casinos on tribal reservations. The tribe decided to open a casino. They wanted to create jobs and earn money. This money could then be used to help tribal members with education and welfare.
The tribe later got approval for a land deal in Brimley, Michigan. This is on Waiska Bay, west of Sault Ste. Marie. Here, they built the Bay Mills Resort & Casino.
Bay Mills Resort & Casino
The Bay Mills Resort & Casino is a big part of the community's economy. It has:
- 17,000 square feet of casino space.
- 695 slot machines and 13 table games.
- 3 restaurants.
- A 144-room hotel.
This resort provides many jobs and helps support the community.
