Benishek, Dingell Introduce Legislation to Support Federal Recognition of Burt Lake Band Bill Would Make Burt Lake Band Michigan's Fourteenth Federally Recognized Tribe

Statement

Representative Dan Benishek, along with Rep. Debbie Dingell, will introduce today legislation to support the efforts of the Burt Lake Band to become recognized by the federal government as an official tribe. The Burt Lake Band is a Cheboygan County based group of Native Americans who have been seeking federal recognition for many years.

"Native American tribes are an integral part of Northern Michigan's history and culture. I am proud to support the Burt Lake Band's efforts to become a federally recognized tribe, and I am hopeful that we will be able to move this bill through the legislative process," said Dr. Dan Benishek, who represents Michigan's First District.

"The Burt Lake Band has a long and well-documented history in Michigan and they deserve to be recognized as the sovereign nation they are," said Dingell. "Passing this legislation to reaffirm their status as a federally recognized tribe is simply the right thing to do and is long overdue. I want to thank Congressman Benishek for his leadership on the issue and look forward to working with him to pass this vital legislation."

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