For over a century, Native American tribes have weathered change. From the loss of buffalo herds and hunting grounds to the widespread devastation of smallpox, the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and other tribes were rattled. The numerous treaties, agreements, and political treacheries left the tribe weary and unstable, with no choice but to pick up the pieces of a shattered livelihood. Near the middle of the twentieth century, the tribe entered the era of self-governance and self-determination, which gave tribal members hope that their voices would be heard and the foundation of the tribe would once again become stronger.

Self-governance began in 1932 when the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa rejected the Indian Reorganization Act. Instead, they adopted a constitution , bylaws, and elected a tribal council. Self-governance operated under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act passed in 1975 to provide the Tribal governments with control and decision-making authority over the Federal financial resources provided for the benefit of Tribal members. This was an opportunity for the tribes to redesign programs, establish priorities to fit the tribal concerns, and to manage its own affairs for the betterment of the people.

Self-governance made way for self-determination, and, in the wake of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa sought to achieve restoration of tribal community, cultural renewal, reservation development, educational control, and equal or controlling input into federal government decisions concerning policies and programs that directly impacted the tribe. The passing of this Act gave Indian tribes the opportunity to assume responsibility for programs and services administered to them. Finally, after years of change, disruption, and instability, Indian voices were heard, and tribal strength and autonomy was on the horizon.