Derek Bailey (tribal chairman)
Encyclopedia
Derek J. Bailey is Chairman of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
(GBT) and a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives.
, and grew up there and in neighboring Leelanau County
.
for Michigan's newly redrawn 1st congressional district. He is running as a Democrat in the primary against Gary McDowell
, a state representative who lost in the general election in 2010 against first-time candidate Dan Benishek
.
to the National Advisory Council on Indian Education. He received a master’s degree in social work from Grand Valley State University
in 1998. He resides with his wife, Tonia, in Leelanau County
, Michigan with their five children: Panika, Nimkees, Daanis, Ohsaw Kihew and Maengun.
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians is a federally recognized Native American tribe in Michigan. Derek Bailey is the current chairman of the Tribal Council, whose offices are in Peshawbestown, Michigan...
(GBT) and a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives.
Early years
Bailey is a native of Traverse City, MichiganTraverse City, Michigan
Traverse City is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Grand Traverse County, although a small portion extends into Leelanau County. It is the largest city in the 21-county Northern Michigan region. The population was 14,674 at the 2010 census, with 143,372 in the Traverse...
, and grew up there and in neighboring Leelanau County
Leelanau County, Michigan
-History:The county's name is said to be a Native American word meaning "delight of life", but it is a neologism made up by Indian agent and ethnographer Henry Schoolcraft, who sometimes gave the name "Leelinau" to Native American women in his tales. He created many faux Indian place names in...
.
Tribal service
Bailey began serving as the fifth GTB Tribal Chairman in November 2008. Previously, he served on the GTB Tribal Council from 2004-2008; he has also filled the chairmanship for the Inter-Tribal Council of MI, Inc. and the Chippewa/Ottawa Resource Authority.Congressional campaign
On October 1, 2011, Bailey announced his intention to run for U.S. RepresentativeUnited States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
for Michigan's newly redrawn 1st congressional district. He is running as a Democrat in the primary against Gary McDowell
Gary McDowell
Gary McDowell represented the 107th District in the Michigan State House of Representatives from January 2005 until January 2011, and was the 2010 Democratic nominee for .-Early life and education:...
, a state representative who lost in the general election in 2010 against first-time candidate Dan Benishek
Dan Benishek
Daniel Joseph Benishek is an American physician and politician currently serving as the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life, education, and medical career:...
.
Personal and other public service
In May 2010, Bailey was appointed by President Barack ObamaBarack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
to the National Advisory Council on Indian Education. He received a master’s degree in social work from Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University is a public liberal arts university located in Allendale, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1960, and its main campus is situated on approximately west of Grand Rapids...
in 1998. He resides with his wife, Tonia, in Leelanau County
Leelanau County, Michigan
-History:The county's name is said to be a Native American word meaning "delight of life", but it is a neologism made up by Indian agent and ethnographer Henry Schoolcraft, who sometimes gave the name "Leelinau" to Native American women in his tales. He created many faux Indian place names in...
, Michigan with their five children: Panika, Nimkees, Daanis, Ohsaw Kihew and Maengun.