The Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan has settled a lawsuit over the boundaries of its reservation.

In 2005, the tribe sued the state to clarify the Indian Country status of the Isabella Reservation. The Department of Justice sided with the tribe and, after more than 20 months of negotiations, the parties reached a deal.

"We are hopeful that the county will join the city and state, and that the court will approve this settlement so that the governments can put this dispute behind them,” Chief Dennis V. Kequom Sr. told The Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun.

The deal recognizes five townships and parts of two townships in Isabella County as a reservation. The tribe retains civil and criminal jurisdiction over Indians within the territory.

The deal addresses other issues as well, including law enforcement, municipal services and land. Notably, the tribe agreed to make payments in lieu of taxes to the city of Mt. Pleasant for any land that is place in trust.

Judge Thomas L. Ludington will be accepting public comments on the settlement until November 19.

Get the Story:
City, Tribe agree to settlement in 'Indian country' suit (The Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun 11/8)
Sagainaw Chippewa Tribal boundries expanded in five-year pending suit (Central Michigan Life 11/8)

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