Associate deputy Interior secretary Jim Cason issued a final determination against the Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians from Michigan.

Cason said the tribe was able to show prior federal recognition as of 1917. But he said the tribe couldn't prove it is a distinct community "at present."

Only about half of the tribe's members participate in tribal activities, Cason said. Many have been active in the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and other Ottawa tribes, he said.

The tribe can appeal the decision to the Interior Board of Indian Appeals or take the Bureau of Indian Affairs to court.

Get the Story:
Interior denies recognition to Burt Lake Band (The Cheboygan Daily Tribune 9/22)
Interior Department declines to recognize Michigan tribe (AP 9/21)

Relevant Links:
Burt Lake Band - http://www.burtlakeband.org

Related Stories:
Big workload looms for BIA on federal recognition (07/26)
BIA recognition decision database v2.0 now online (05/25)
Museum takes down marker that offended tribe (12/07)
Anderson denies recognition to Burt Lake Band (03/29)