The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi (NHBP) is a federally recognized Potawatomi Indian tribe. The Tribe received its federal recognition on December 19, 1995. The NHBP are not connected with the Iroquoian tribe, Huron. The NHBP reservation is located at in Athens Township in southwestern Calhoun County in southern Michigan. It has a land area of 129.4 acres (524,000 m2). The Tribe has approximately 800 members.
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The NHBP is governed by a 5-member tribal council, which includes the following executive officers: Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and Sergeant-at-Arms.
The NHBP Tribal Court was established in 2006 and is run by a Tribal Chief Justice.
The NHBP own FireKeepers Casino, a 236,000-square-foot (21,900 m2) casino with an attached 2,078 space parking garage on 78 acres (320,000 m2) located in Battle Creek, Michigan.
The NHBP administration is divided into the Operations Department, Finance Department, Enrollment Department, Education Department, Housing Department, Health Department, and Language Department.
1970 – The Tribe is incorporated in the state of Michigan. Government by an elected Tribal Council is established.
1995 – After years of documentation and several failed attempts, the United States government restores federal recognition to the tribe on December 19.
1998 – The Tribe purchases a 155-acre (630,000 m2) property on Q Drive in present-day Fulton, Michigan.
2000 – An administration building is constructed.
2003 – A multi-use trail system is constructed.
2004 – Road construction begins. On August 7, the Athens Arch is dedicated by the Athens Superintendent of Schools at Athens High School. The arch commemorates the history of the Huron Potawatomi and the cordial relations between the tribe and the town of Athens, Michigan.
2005 – The first group of single family, energy-efficient homes is constructed on the Reservation.
2006 – A Tribal court is established.
2007 – A Community Center and Health Center are constructed. A 79-acre (320,000 m2) parcel of property in Emmett Township is placed into Federal trust on behalf of the Tribe. The Tribe places 75 acres (300,000 m2) of the Q Drive property into the USDA wetland reserve program.
2008 – Construction begins on FireKeepers Casino.
2009 – FireKeepers Casino opens on August 5, 2009.[1]
2010 - Nottawaseppi Huron Band chairwoman Laura Spurr, who had served in that position since 2003 and helped to develop the FireKeepers Casino, dies on February 19, 2010.[2]
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