The 1980s brought a renewed interest in the traditional Anishinaabeg way of life. An increasing number of youth engaged in sacred traditions such as pow wows and ceremonies. As one can imagine, this cultural renaissance was encouraging to the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. Revitalization was happening in various sectors across the reservation, including economic development.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the tribe became a leader among tribal nations. One of the more successful enterprises was the Turtle Mountain Manufacturing Company, which produced both water tanks and trailers for the United States Military. Linked to tribes’ history with engineering the Red River Carts, the tanks became known as water-buffalo and were heavily utilized during the Persian Gulf War.

Another highly successful but short-termed tribal business was Uniband, Inc., which processed data for the federal government. Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa operated facilities in several North Dakota cities and Washington DC. A significant amount of educational training was completed by the Turtle Mountain Community College to prepare workers for employment. In addition, the tribe expanded the tribal gaming operation that included the construction of the Skydancer Casino and Hotel, a for profit business, in 1993. With congressional support and consistent tribal leadership in government, the community’s future was promising.

The cultural rejuvenation and economic growth was met with another tribal win in March of 1980 when the United States Court of Claims issued a partial judgment for over 47 million dollars to numerous plaintiffs including the Turtle Mountain Pembina Chippewa and their descendants. After more than 125 years, the Pembina Chippewa were being compensated for millions of acres ceded to the United States government as a result of the lawsuit filed in 1948 regarding the Old Crossing Treaty and the McCumber Agreement.