Who We Are
The Burt Lake Band is federally recognized by treaty. Our ancestors were among those who signed the 1836 Treaty of Washington and the 1855 Treaty of Detroit. We, the descendants, are still here in Brutus, Michigan.
Read Our History:
Discover the captivating account of author Richard Wiles, who dedicated the past 50 years to extensive research unraveling the intricate details of a tragic event and its enduring impact on the indigenous people of this particular region in Northern Michigan. Stay tuned for the forthcoming release of his thought-provoking book, revealing the profound historical significance.
Traditional Foods Project
Our band is exploring and learning about our history through traditional foods. This two-year project involves teachings from knowledgeable native instructors about topics such as spear-fishing, making maple syrup, using indigenous plants for food and medicine, and much more.
Would you like to stay connected with the Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians? Join our quarterly newsletter to receive the latest updates on current events, fundraisers, captivating history articles, and more. We are eager to share with you and warmly invite you learn more about our vibrant community.
Recent Articles
Chronicling the 1900 Burt Lake Burnout
This article was originally posted at Norther Express, https://www.northernexpress.com/news/feature/missing-history-burt-lake-burnout/ On a gloomy morning in 1900, members of the Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians watched in horror as their homes and...
A Struggle For Justice
This podcast originally published on Points North. October 15, 1900 was a dark day for a small group of Native Americans near the tip of Michigan’s lower peninsula. It’s the day a group of white men burned their village to the ground, leaving many families homeless....
Judge Grants Delay in Rule-Making on Federal Recognition Re-Petitions
This article was originally published at Indian Country News. https://ictnews.org/news/judge-grants-delay-in-rule-making-on-federal-recognition-re-petitions By Joaqlin Estus ICT D.C. District Judge Amy German Jackson has given the Department of Interior another two...