Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin
The Menominee are an Algonquin-speaking North American Tribe. Their Reservation is located in North Central Wisconsin approximately 40 miles North East of Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The Reservation status of the Menominee Tribe was terminated in 1954 by an act of congress. Federal recognition of the Tribe was subsequently restored by an act of congress in 1973 (see 25 U.S.C. § 903(a)). This act restored all legal rights and privileges enjoyed by the Tribe prior to termination in 1954.
Today, the Menominee Tribe is the only non-public law 280 tribe in the State of Wisconsin. As such, it has jurisdiction over criminal matters committed within the exterior boundaries of the Reservation by individuals legally identified as "Indian." The Tribe has civil regulatory authority over a variety of activities regardless of tribal membership pursuant to federal statutes, court decisions and agreements. The Tribe has a Constitution approved the Secretary of Interior that protects the rights of individuals subject to the jurisdiction of the Tribe. A Tribal Court and Tribal Supreme Court adjudicates civil and criminal matters coming within their jurisdiction.
Approximately 5, 400 enrolled Menominee Tribal Members reside on or near the Reservation. The chief economic income of the Tribe is derived from their forest products and casino gaming.