Traverse City News and Events

Former Tribal Leader Derek Bailey, 48, Passes Away

Sept. 9, 2021

Former Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Tribal Chairman and Councilor Derek Bailey, 48, has passed away after being found unresponsive in his prison cell, The Ticker has learned.

Bailey was a rising star in the Native American community, won several awards and recognitions in the region, and ran for U.S. Congress in 2012. But in May 2012, he was arrested on child molestation charges and in 2015 was convicted and sentenced to to concurrent sentences of 25-50 years for two Grand Traverse County charges, and 10-15 years for two Leelanau County charges. 

He had been serving his time in Security Level 2 Kinross Correctional Facility in the Upper Peninsula.

He was found unresponsive in his cell last Thursday, was taken by ambulance to a local hospital and then taken by life flight to a downstate hospital. He was declared deceased yesterday (Wednesday). The local medical examiner will decide if an autopsy will be performed, according to a Michigan Department of Corrections spokesperson. “I believe they suspect it was a cardiac issue,” Christopher Gautz, public information officer, tells The Ticker.

Bailey was convicted by juries in both Leelanau County and Grand Traverse County on a total of four counts of criminal sexual conduct related to child abuse.

During his sentencing, Bailey defended his innocence in a public statement to the court, calling the charges “false” and “perverse.” He accused Leelanau County law enforcement of doctoring police reports and committing perjury on the witness stand, and suggested his guilty convictions were racially motivated, saying “tribal politics came in from the very beginning."

Bailey’s comments contrasted with statements from the victims, as well as their mother, who told Judge Philip Rodgers “words can’t describe the unbearable hell my children had to live through.” 

Bailey grew up in Traverse City and later attended Grand Valley State University. He began serving as the fifth Grand Traverse Ban Tribal Chairman in 2008. He received a Presidential Appointment by President Obama to the National Advisory Council on Indian Education in 2010.

He is survived by two sons and two step-daughters.

Bailey’s immediately family was notified of his death; no further information nor plans were immediately available.

Comment

This Local High Schooler Is Spending Her Summer At An Elite Naval Flight Academy

Read More >>

Past Cherry Royals: Where Are They Now?

Read More >>

TCBN: Recycling Leaders Drive Change in Petoskey

Read More >>

Traverse City Landmark Coming Down Soon

Read More >>

Hope Happens Here: Addiction Treatment Services At 50 Years

Read More >>

Something To Crow About: The Rooster To Debut In July

Read More >>

Memories Of Milliken’s: A Look Back At The Department Store That Built Front Street

Read More >>

A Few More Notices For Traverse City From National Media

Read More >>

Road Commission Eyes Beitner Bridge Replacement, River Parking Changes

Read More >>

Jody Lundquist Appointed To Fill NMC Board Vacancy

Read More >>

Why Did This Week’s Run Of 90-Plus Degree Weather Cause So Much Trouble In Traverse City?

Read More >>

East Bay Township Considers TIF District

Read More >>

NMC Announces Candidates For Board Vacancy, Will Appoint New Trustee Monday Night

Read More >>

Zoning Atlas Unveiled for Grand Traverse County

Read More >>