Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians

Today the governing board is the tribal council which is made up of seven elected at large officials: Tribal Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, two Senior Council Members and one Junior Council Member. The tribal council form of government has been in effect since shortly after the passage of the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934. They serve as the policy/law making body for the tribe, decisions are made on a majority basis. The chairman also functions as the chief executive officer of the tribal administration which administers government contracts and for profit enterprises. The administration is divided into departments which are managed by professional tribal administrators. Wisconsin is what is known as a Public Law 280 State which gives criminal jurisdiction on Indian Reservations (except the Menominee) to the state. Civil jurisdiction such as hunting/fishing/gathering laws is a function of the tribe. The tribal court system oversees civil cases while criminal cases are overseen by state courts and enforced by state/county police officers. The majority of children attend public schools in nearby Ashland with a few in private or parochial schools. The tribe has a preschool Headstart program for three to five year olds. Health care is provided by the Bad River Health Clinic for reservation residents. This includes a part time doctor, full time family nurse practitioner, pharmacist and several nurses.