D.K. SPRAGUE
Tribal Chairman

David Sprague (D.K.) has served in the capacity of Tribal Chairman since the Tribe began the federal acknowledgment process in 1992. His leadership was instrumental in achieving federal acknowledgment. David has been active in the Native American community for many years and is looked upon with admiration and respect. He is a veteran of the US Army and served six years of active duty and one tour in Vietnam. Our chairman has volunteered his services to the American Red Cross to assist in thirteen disasters worldwide. Chairman Sprague represents the Bradley voting district.

ED PIGEON
Vice-Chairman

Ed Pigeon is currently serving as Vice-Chairman and has been on the Tribal Council since 1999. Ed is a member of the Pigeon Family, Heritage award winners known for their Black Ash Basketry. Ed has over 10 years of involvement in cultural presentations and teaching activities throughout Michigan. Ed is currently employed as the Gun Lake Language and Cultural Coordinator, and in the course of his job provides language instruction through formal classes and in cultural workshops integrating language components. 

Ed has helped shape the direction and growth of the Tribal Government during his time on Tribal Council. Ed sits on the Health & Human services, Emergency Preparedness, Environmental, Tax Agreement, Tribal Roads, Public Safety, and the Development Board for our casino project. Ed is also a board member for the Kalamazoo Poverty Reduction Initiative. Ed represents the Salem voting district.

BECKY BAKER
Treasurer

Rebecca (Becky) Baker was elected to the Tribal Council in 2010 to represent the Bradley District. Becky has resided in the Bradley/Wayland area her entire life and graduated from Wayland Union High School. She continued her education by earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services from Baker College. Becky is employed in the Tribe’s Health Human Services Department.

Becky and her husband Don are the proud parents of three-year-old twins named Dominik and Haven. The twins already participate in tribal culture through naming ceremonies, pow-wows, and other tribal events. Becky’s mother is Sharon (Sprague) Near. Growing up in the Bradley Settlement (Mission) Becky learned traditional values from her grandparents Fred and Leona Sprague.

Becky is very excited that the Tribe is beginning to return home to the Bradley Settlement. Her family is very involved in community events which include the Bradley Indian Cemetery clean-up, tree planting, Michigan Indian Family Olympics, Pink Shawl Project, and the Allegan County float and parade. Becky also played for the Tribe’s softball team the last 2 seasons.

While pursuing a college degree Becky dreamed of serving the Tribe to give back to the tribal community that has given so much to her. Principles that guide Becky’s service include; achieving self-sufficiency, retaining the culture, and caring for the elders and youth.

Representing the Bradley District is a privilege that allows Becky to help create a stable ground for future generations to move the Tribe forward, while building on the foundations left by the Elders.

ARDIS BADGER
Secretary

Ardis Badger is the Council secretary and has served on the Council since 1999. Ardis retired from Spectrum Health (formerly Butterworth) after 30 years as a surgical technologist. She is now employed in the Tribal office as the Enrollment Clerk. Her knowledge of Tribal history has proved her to be a valuable asset. Ardis represents the Bradley voting district and graduated from Martin High School.

PHYLLIS DAVIS

Tribal Councilwoman, Phyllis Davis, currently resides in the Grand Valley region west of Standale Michigan. Elected to Tribal Council August 2008 to represent the At-Large District for the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians of Michigan. Phyllis is married to Monte Davis Sr and has two sons, Jeffery and Monte Jr. Phyllis is a very proud and grateful grandmother of three, Tristell, Blade and Gracie and finds the greatest joy in life are in spending time with her grandkids and family. Phyllis has worked for the tribe since May 1998 and was instrumental in the program development of the Tribal Health and Human Services Department. Phyllis has a true desire to see improvements in access to health care, to elevate the health status of American Indians and reduce the disparities that American Indians are challenged with daily. As an advocate for health care Phyllis has taken a proactive approach to addressing these needs, by promoting collaborations with tribal nations, local, regional and federal agencies to promote and educate our partners on issues related to American Indian health and human service gaps and to find solutions that will have the best outcome for our nation. She currently sits as Co-Chair for the Michigan Tribal Health Directors Association, the Resource Allocation committee for the Bemidji Area and is an alternate board member for the National American Indian/Alaskan Native Health Research Advisory Council.

As a council member for the At-large district Phyllis is always available to answer questions or concerns that our tribal citizens bring to her, either via phone, letter, email or office visit.

LEAH FODOR

KURT TREVAN