The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians (Gun Lake Tribe) has announced Scott Sprague has been sworn in as chairman of the Tribal Council.

The Tribal Council selected Sprague to serve as chairman on Thursday, Sept. 8. Newly-elected Tribal Council members Jeff Martin and Jodie Palmer were also sworn in.

“This is one of the proudest moments of my life not only because I am now the leader of a sovereign nation, but also because it’s a continuation of many generations of my family leading this Tribe,” said Sprague.  “I will work every day to move the Tribe forward, while also maintaining our commitment to being a first-class employer, and a responsible government-to-government partner with our counterparts at the federal, state and local levels.”

Sprague has been the Gun Lake Casino Facility Director since March 2012.  In that capacity, he managed the mechanical systems of the gaming and entertainment facility. He was previously elected to serve on the Tribal Gaming Commission.  Since 2014 he has served as Tribal Council secretary, and currently sits on several tribal committees.

Sprague has his associate’s degree in engineering technology, a bachelor of arts in business management and master’s degree with a finance specialty.  He spent 30 years as an engineer, senior buyer and project manager in the power industry which included management of multi-million dollar projects for an engineering company.

Sprague was born in Battle Creek and raised in Kalamazoo County. He is the son of Dick Sprague, a former Tribal Council Vice Chairman. Sprague is married and is the father of four, with four grandchildren.

He succeeds Leah Fodor-Sprague, who succeeded longtime Chairman D.K. Sprague, who retired last winter. Gun Lake Tribe Spokesman James Nye said, “On Aug. 23, the tribal electorate voted four individuals into office, which did not include Leah.  The Tribal Council, therefore, had to select a new chair to fill the position.”

PHOTO: Scott Sprague