Interview with Derek Bailey, chairman of Grand Traverse Band

Wednesday, January 19, 2011  

"Tribal Chairman Derek Bailey of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (the GTB) hopes to strengthen relationships between the tribe, the State of Michigan, and local units of government in the region during the remaining two years of his four-year term.

Bailey talked at length on a number of topics in an interview with Enterprise staff writer Eric Carlson.

“It’s important to keep things in perspective,” Bailey said. “I’m proud of the good working relationship that has developed between Leelanau County and the GTB. Few remember that in the first decade after the GTB was restored to its federal sovereign tribal status in the 1980’s, the relationship between Leelanau County and the tribe was quite contentious, including two lawsuits in which Leelanau County challenged the GTB’s governmental authority. But those days are behind us. Now the two governments work cooperatively, hand-in-hand.”

Enterprise: What about the state of Michigan? There’s a new Republican administration in place and a new legislature. Have you been in touch with any of the new state officials?

Bailey: “I did have a visit with now-Governor Rick Snyder during his campaign – after the primary but before the general election. It was a good visit, and as we continue to stay in touch I know it will be important for him to be able to put a face to a name, just as it’s important to me. There is always a high potential for a lack of understanding in tribal/state relations because not everyone has a full grasp of the meaning of tribal sovereignty. But I’m hopeful. I also had a nice visit with the new state senator representing this area, Darwin Booher, during his campaign. I have not yet met with our new state representative, Ray Franz, but I do need to reach out to him as well.”"

Get the Story:
Talking with Tribal Chair Derek Bailey (The Leelanau Enterprise 1/19)