According to Census 2000, there are more than 300,000 people in the Lake Union who identified themselves as American Indian: approximately 40,000 people live in Indiana, 73,000 in Illinois, 125,000 in Michigan, and 70,000 in Wisconsin. There are nearly 600 federally recognized tribes and more than 200 still waiting for federal recognition.

Since 1978, the Bureau of Indian Affairs requires tribes to go through a lengthy recognition process to prove their existence as descendants of America's original inhabitants, and to qualify for government programs. Following is a list of tribes within the Lake Union.

Indiana Tribes

Miami Nation of Indiana, Huntington, Ind.

Northern Cherokee Tribe of Indiana

Upper Kispoko Band of the Shawnee Nation, Kokomo, Ind.

Michigan Tribes

Bay Mills Reservation, Brimley, Mich.

Grand Traverse Reservation, Suttons Bay, Mich.

Hannahville Indian Community, Wilson, Mich.

Isabella Reservation, Mt. Pleasant, Mich.

Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior

Chippewa, Watersmeet, Mich.

L'Anse Reservation, Baraga, Mich.

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Indians Reservation, Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.

Lake Superior Chippewa of Marquette, Inc.

Burt Lake Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians

Consolidated Bahwetig Ojibwas and Mackinacs

Grand River Band of Ottawa Indians

Gunlake Village Band of Grand Lake Ottawa Indians, state recognized, petitioned June 24, 1992

Swan Creek and Black River Chippewa, petitioned May 4, 1993

Wisconsin Tribes

Bad River Reservation, Odanah, Wis.

Forest County Potawatomi Community, Crandon, Wis.

Ho Chunk (Winnebago) Reservation, Black River Falls, Wis.

Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation, Hayward, Wis.

Lac Du Flambeau Reservation, Lac Du Flambeau, Wis.

Menominee Reservation, Keshena, Wis.

Oneida Reservation, Oneida, Wis.

Red Cliff Reservation, Bayfield, Wis.

Sokaogon Chippewa Community, Crandon, Wis.

St. Croix Reservation, Hertel, Wis.

Stockbridge-Munsee Community, Bowler, Wis.

Brotherton Indians of Wisconsin

Illinois

There are no registered American Indian tribes in the state of Illinois. The state got its name, however, from a confederation of tribes known as the Illini. They called themselves Illiniwek, which means “people.” Illinois is a French version of Illiniwek. Scholars estimate there were approximately 12,000 people among the Illiniwek, in 60 villages, in the 1600s. By the time of the Declaration of Independence, their numbers were reduced to less than 1,800. About the time the Adventist church was organized, the 84 remaining members were relocated to a reservation in Oklahoma.1

Native ministries was recently established in the Lake Union to facilitate efforts to include the more than 300,000 American Indians in the ministry of the Adventist church. As a member of the North American Division Native Ministry Council, we are able to share funds and resources to help us accomplish this goal.

This year, nearly $10,000 was set aside by the North American Division for native ministry in the Lake Union. These funds are available by request to conferences to provide services and support.

“Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people” (Revelation 14:6 NIV).

Gary Burns is the Lake Union Conference native ministries director.

1 www.500Nations.com