Memorial Service Saturday for Grand Traverse Band leader George Bennett

The Traverse City Ticker reports that a public memorial service for former Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians tribal leader George Bennett will be held on Saturday (Jan 10) in Peshawbestown:

George Bennett, who was present when The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians was first federally recognized in 1980 — and who held virtually every elected position for that tribe after that — passed away in December.

Events will begin at 8am Saturday with a traditional pipe ceremony at the Eagles Ridge Conference Center.

The 1 pm service will be held at the Leelanau Sands Casino Showroom – an addition to the casino that Chairman Bennett oversaw during his tenure. A 3:30 luncheon will follow.

The service will include tributes by friends, family, former Tribal Chairs, Tribal Council members, and other tribes. State Senator Wayne Schmidt of the 37th District, State representative Larry Inman of the 104th District, Traverse City Mayor Michael Estes, and United States Coast Guard Traverse City Air Station Commander Capt. Sean Cross will be in attendance, among other representatives from local and state governments. The service will also include military honors by the Eagletown American Legion Post 120 and the Korean War Veterans Association of Northwestern Michigan – Chapter 38.

Click through for more information and our condolences to his family & friends.