UPDATE: Frank Sprague has been found. A family member is with him now. Updated 7:30 am - EDT, Monday, Oct. 31, 2022
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Frank Sprague, 57, the son of former Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians of Michigan (Gun Lake Tribe) Chairman D.K. Sprague went missing Saturday morning.
Frank Sprague is a respected cultural teacher in the Great Lakes region. Family and friends became worried after he did not show up on Saturday. Sprague, who is a tribal citizen of the Gun Lake Tribe, harvested some manoomin (wild rice) two weeks ago in northern Michigan. He personally invited several friends to process the manoomin on Saturday morning.
The last telephone conversation anyone had with Sprague occurred at about 10:30 a.m. and he texted another friend about 11:00 a.m. to say he would see her at 12:30 p.m. at the gathering to process the manoomin. That text was the last communication anyone had with Sprague.
Family and friends told Native News Online on Sunday night that it is uncharacteristic for Sprague not to be where he said he would be, especially when it comes to cultural events, such as the one he personally planned.
Sprague drives a 2016 white Ford F50 pickup with FX4 on the sides of the vehicle. The vehicle's Michigan license plate is: EBE B489.
The Gun Lake Tribal Police were alerted by the family, as well as the Kent County Sheriff’s Department.
Height: 6ft.
Weight: 280lbs.
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black/Gray
Tattoos: Frank has a tattoo on his left arm with a thunderbird overlooking a turtle with a medicine wheel; a tatoo on his right calf.
Family and friends will be at the Sixth Street Bridge along the Grand River in Grand Rapids, Mich. at 9:00 a.m. with flyers that will be distributed in effort to locate Spague.
If you have seen FRANK SPAGUE, or if you have any information on his whereabouts, please call Frank’s daughter Gena at 616-437-6706, Gun Lake Tribal Police at 269-397-1610; or the Kent County Sheriff’s Department at 616-632-6100.
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsNative News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
Native News Weekly (December 15, 2024): D.C. Briefs
7-Year-Old Ute Mountain Boy Shot and Killed
34 Members of Congress Urge President Biden to Pardon Leonard Peltier
Can we take a minute to talk about tribal sovereignty?
Sovereignty isn't just a concept – it's the foundation of Native nations' right to govern, protect our lands, and preserve our cultures. Every story we publish strengthens tribal sovereignty.
Unlike mainstream media, we center Indigenous voices and report directly from Native communities. When we cover land rights, water protection, or tribal governance, we're not just sharing news – we're documenting our living history and defending our future.
Our journalism is powered by readers, not shareholders. If you believe in the importance of Native-led media in protecting tribal sovereignty, consider supporting our work today.
Right now, your support goes twice as far. Thanks to a generous $35,000 matching fund, every dollar you give during December 2024 will be doubled to protect sovereignty and amplify Native voices.
No paywalls. No corporate owners. Just independent, Indigenous journalism.