Date of Award
4-2005
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Geography
First Advisor
Dr. Deborah Che
Second Advisor
Dr. Gregory Veeck
Third Advisor
Dr. Jordan Yin
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
This thesis focuses on how the historical and cultural geography of the Saginaw Chippewa tribe of Mount Pleasant, Michigan and specifically on through their Soaring Eagle Casino reshaped the physical and cultural landscape of Isabella County. For this research I utilized documentary/archival evidence such as local histories, newspapers, plat maps and I also conducted field surveys. The research findings indicated that through the Soaring Eagle Casino the Saginaw Chippewa tribe has changed Isabella County, as well as their own social standing. Since 1993 the tribe has used casino revenues to purchase 1185 acres of land to add to the Isabella Reservation. The tribe has also transformed space through housing and cultural center developments and culturally-relevant signage. Finally, the tribe has utilized casino revenues to fund social services and distributed 2% of revenues to local municipalities.
Recommended Citation
Swanson, Bryan Thomas, "Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Relations and the Social Production of Space in Isabella County, Michigan" (2005). Masters Theses. 3868.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/3868