(Bradley, Mich.) – Today, the Gun Lake Tribe (Tribe) announced a donation to the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) in the amount of $5,000, and a donation to the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) in the amount of $10,000.        

“The Tribe is proud to support the protection of tribal sovereignty and keeping our families together across Indian Country,” said John Shagonaby, Senior Director of Governmental Affairs.  “It is especially meaningful for us to make these donations during the holiday season.”

The donations were made pursuant to a legal agreement to direct unclaimed or forfeited funds left at the Gun Lake Casino to non-profit organizations or charities.  The Tribe selects which charitable organizations receive the funds. 

“The Native American Rights Fund is grateful to the Gun Lake Tribe for this thoughtful donation,” said NARF Executive Director John Echohawk.  “NARF’s role in protecting Native natural resources, cultural practices, and tribal sovereignty depends largely on the generosity of tribes.”

NICWA board president Gil Vigil said, “It is gifts from individuals and tribes like Gun Lake that give NICWA the resources to stand up to attacks on ICWA from well-resourced opponents who are intent on striping away its protections. We thank the Gun Lake tribal leadership for investing in the Native children and families now and for generations to come by making this generous gift to NICWA.”

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About Gun Lake Tribe

The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians (Gun Lake Tribe) has a rich history in West Michigan and a close connection to the land.  The Bradley Indian Mission, located near Wayland, is the historic residential and cultural center point of the tribal community.  The Tribe’s ancestors, and political predecessors, signed treaties with the United States government dating back to 1795.  The Tribe was re-affirmed to federal recognition in 1999.  For more information about the Tribe visit https://gunlaketribe-nsn.gov/

About Gun Lake Casino

Gun Lake Casino is located off Exit 61 on U.S. 131, halfway between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo.  The casino features over 2,000 slot machines, 47 table games, a high-limit room, a 225-seat café, and a 300-seat buffet, along with bars, lounges, and live entertainment. 

Gun Lake Casino is owned by the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians and is operated by the Tribe’s management partner, MPM Enterprises, LLC, owned by an affiliate of Station Casinos LLC and private investors from Michigan. For more information, visit www.gunlakecasino.com.