HISTORIC LAND AFFIRMATION FOR PRAIRIE BAND POTAWATOMI NATION

In a landmark decision this April, the U.S. Department of the Interior placed portions of the Shab-eh-nay Reservation land into trust for the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. This action establishes the first and only federally recognized reservation in Illinois, marking a significant milestone in the Nation’s long journey to reclaim their ancestral lands.

This development comes 175 years after the U.S. government illegally auctioned off 1,280 acres of the Nation’s Reservation land near what is now the Village of Shabbona in southern DeKalb County. The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation has spent nearly $10 million over 15 years to repurchase 130 acres of their original reservation land.

The newly trusted land affirms the Nation’s sovereignty and opens cultural preservation and economic development possibilities. The Nation has jurisdiction over various aspects, including criminal law enforcement, civil regulatory authority, environmental management, and social welfare within the Reservation.

Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation is committed to ensuring a seamless transition of public services and is considering establishing agreements with local law enforcement for effective coordination. They have also pledged to carefully evaluate potential uses for the land.

The Nation is working on federal legislation to address the concerns of current homeowners within the Reservation boundaries, aiming to clear their property titles of any conditions related to the Reservation’s history.

For more information on this historic event, including its implications and the Nation’s plans, please visit the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation’s official FAQ page.