2023 House Resolution 136

Whereas, The state of Michigan is home to many people indigenous to the Americas, sometimes referred to as Native American, Indian, or First Nation; and

Whereas, Michigan’s current borders include the twelve federally recognized tribal nations with each having a unique and independent government with different management and decision-making structures which exercise sovereign authority; and

Whereas, Public Act 30 of 1974 established the fourth Friday in September as Indian Day in Michigan; and

Whereas, The people of the state of Michigan benefit from an understanding of the historical and contemporary lives of those who came before us and currently live on these pleasant peninsulas; and

Whereas, Our shared history of the place we call Michigan dates back approximately 14,000 years to the time before the last glacier retreated from the land, and humans, including the Anishinaabeg, populated the area. Our tribal partners pass along the history of these first people; and

Whereas, In 2002, the State of Michigan and federally recognized tribal nations entered into a government-to-government accord, providing a framework for a government-to government partnership that recognizes that the parties share a responsibility to provide for and protect the health, safety, and welfare of their common citizens. The 2002 accord sought to enhance and improve communication between the parties, foster respect for their sovereign status, and facilitate the resolution of potentially contentious issues; and

Whereas, In 2019, the Governor signed Executive Directive 2019-17, to further strengthen relations between the State of Michigan and the federally recognized tribal nations. The directive reaffirmed the commitments made during the 2002 accord, reiterated tribal sovereignty, and ordered each executive branch department and agency to seek consultation on any actions or decisions that they make that would impact any of the tribes; and

Whereas, Michigan is honored to have twelve federally recognized tribes within its borders: the Bay Mills Chippewa Community, the Grand Traverse Bay Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, the Hannahville Indian Community, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, the Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Potawatomi Indians of Michigan, the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Indians, the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians; and

Whereas, The state of Michigan and our tribal partners have engaged in many fruitful and cooperative efforts to improve the lives of our citizens and Michigan Indian Day is an annual opportunity to honor those accomplishments; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare September 22, 2023, as Michigan Indian Day in the state of Michigan. We recognize the significant contributions of Indian nations, their citizens, and predecessors to our great state’s rich history and bright future; and be it further

Resolved, That our common future will be improved with thorough cooperation and communication between tribal and state leadership.