LTBB Government Offices are closed, December 23th at 1:00 PM through January 1st.
Citizens should call individual office numbers if they have immediate needs.
Health Department Holiday Hours can be found here.

A Tribal History

The Tribe

On Sept. 21, 1994, the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB) was federally reaffirmed with the signing of Public Law 103-324. The Tribe is governed by a nine member Tribal Council who serve staggered terms. The Tribe has over 4,000 members with a large number living within Charlevoix and Emmet Counties. The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians presently employs over 100 full and part-time employees. The historically delineated reservation area, located in the north-western part of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, encompasses approximately 336 square miles of land within the two counties. The largest communities within the reservation boundaries are Petoskey, Harbor Springs, and Charlevoix.

LTBB Mission Statement

 

Being Odawa is all about freedom.  The Freedom to be a part of a people who, with integrity and pride, still have and speak our own language.  The freedom to share in common with all other Odawak the customs, culture, and spirituality of our ancestors.  The freedom we have today we will bring to the future through unity, education, justice, communication, and planning.  We will reach out to the next seven generations by holding to cultural values of Wisdom, Love, Respect, Bravery, Honesty, Humility and Truth.  We will utilize our Tribal assets to provide the necessary tools to become successful, hard-working community members who proudly represent our culture.  With these values we will move the Tribe forward.

Anishinaabemowin Interpretation of LTBB Mission Statement

 

Debendiziwin aawan maanda Odawa aawiyiing.  Geyaabi gdaa’aanaa miinwaa gdanwewmi Anishinaabemowin, maanda egishkaago’iing debendiziwin ebidgwasiing mnaadendiziwin miinwaa wiimnaadendiziyiing.  Gdabendaanaa debendiziwin kina gwaya Odawak naasaap eyaamjik, maanda naakinigewinan, maadiziwin miinwaa mnidoowaadiziwin gaanaaniigaaniijik debendamowaad. Maanda debendiziwin eyaamiing nangwa, kanamaajiidonaa niigaan ezhibezhigoyiing, kinoomaadwin, dbaakinigewin, giigidowin miinwaa naakinigewin.  Kazhiibiignaketaanaa maanda niizhwaachiing bimaadiziwin waabii’aamigak mjignamiing ninda mnomaadiziwinan echipiitendaakin: nbwaakaawin, zaagidwin, mnaadendamowin, aakde’ewin, gwekwaadiziwin, dbaadendiziwin miinwaa debwewin.  Kanakaazinaa ninda gdabendaaswinaanin, jimiigwe’iing nakaazwinan jimnomewzi’iing, enitaanokiijik maampii Anishinaabek enaapshkaamwaad maanda gbimaadziwinaa.  Ninda eyaamiing echipiitendaakin, mii go kina gwaya maampii enjibaad jiniigaanibizad.

Spoken Mission Statement Audio

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Crooked Tree Wellness Clinic

(231) 242-1760

Website: https://ctwc.health

 

Crooked Tree Wellness Clinic is open and accepting patients!  Anyone who has Medicaid as primary insurance is eligible to be seen at CTWC! 

 

Appointments available for Native and non-Native people.

 

Tribal Citizens, if you have family members or friends who are on Medicaid and in need of medical services, please tell them about Crooked Tree Wellness Center.

 

Crooked Tree Wellness Center has appointments available  Monday – Thursday, 7:20 am – 4:30 pm.

Phone number is:  231-242-1760.

Important Information

Latest News

11/14/2024
Living Wage Memo Effective 01/01/2025

Per Tribal Resolution #102619-05 Promotion of a Living Wage, the calculations for the Living Wage are as follows:
Living Wage Memo effective 010125

11/12/2024
Vacancy for Appellate Justice – 6 Year Term

Please contact the Tribal Chairperson’s Office for more details or questions.

 

10/09/2024
Tribal Prosecutor Vacancy

This posting is to invite proposals from persons interested in serving as Tribal Prosecutor

LTBB Prosecutor Position

12/21/2023

The Archie Kiogima Jr. ba Migizi (Eagle) Aviary and Rehabilitation Center Press Release

 

MICHIGAN ODAWA NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBE AND WINGS OF WONDER PARTNER ON EAGLE AVIARY AND RAPTOR CENTER

 

Little Traverse Bay Bands and Celebrated Michigan Raptor Rehabilitator Collaborate on First Tribal Eagle Aviary and Raptor Center East of the Mississippi River

The Archie Kiogima Jr. ba Migizi (Eagle) Aviary and Rehabilitation Center will enable tribe to save federally protected eagles and educate public on their importance to Native American culture

 

MICHIGAN (December 20, 2023) — Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB) is proud to announce the award of a $250,000 matching grant from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community as a part of its continued campaign to fund and build the Archie Kiogima Jr. ba Migizi Aviary and Rehabilitation Center. LTBB is seeking like-minded Tribes, groups and individuals in the care and protection of injured Eagles and other raptors through the construction of top-notch facility on Tribal land nestled within a Northern Michigan.

 

LTBB has had a long-term relationship with one of the country’s most celebrated raptor rehabilitators, Rebecca Lessard founder and operator of Wings of Wonder (WOW) located in Empire, Michigan. During that time, the LTBB Natural Resource Department rescued and transported dozens of eagles and other injured birds of prey to WOW for treatment. Many of these raptors were able to return to tribal lands for release back into the wild. However, after rehabilitating hundreds of eagles and other raptors for over 30 years Rebecca Lessard is now retired. Please help the LTBB Natural Resource Department (NRD) cement  Wings of Wonder (WOW) and former longtime WOW icon Rebecca Lessard’s legacy through donation funds necessary for the construction of the Archie Kiogima ba Migizi Aviary and Rehabilitation Center. Total project costs are estimated at $2.3 million. The funding campaign is on the way to that funding goal however a significant amount of funding is needed yet. A minimum of $250,000 in additional donations are needed in order to fully realize the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community grant as such LTBB has recently created an informational webpage (https://ltbbodawa-nsn.gov/migizi-aviary/) on the project with online donation capabilities.

 

The Bald Eagle, “Migizi” is a highly respected and significant cultural species to many Native American Tribes, including the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. Preserving this highly revered and significant cultural species for the next seven generations is a high priority for the LTBB.

03/19/2024
Housing Developments Presentation

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  • As we approach this time of year where are transitioning into another changing of seasons/new year it is our time of listening and learning as our people have done since the beginning of our time here in Waganakising. It is important to remember that Biiboon/winter months is that time when we came together for listening, learning, and growing Spiritually. So many of us are taking time to be with family now and we won’t see each other until 2025, so I wanted to take this time to provide you with Mnido Giizis/Spirit Moon teaching. Wishing you all the best in the coming new seasons and hope you all have a safe and happy time with family and friends.

    <a class="read-more-link" href="https://ltbbodawa-nsn.gov/news/january-mo...

  • The Odawa Casino & Hotel is hosting a blood drive event at the Odawa Hotel on Tuesday, December 24th, 2024 from 9am to 1:30pm.  You can call 866-642-5663, visit versiti.org/mi, or scan the QR code on the attached flyer to set up an appointment.  Walk-ins are also welcome.

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  • Mno-Giizhgaad.

    As we near the ending of one year and transition into another we are reminded also of the 13th moon of creation “Chi-Mnidoons Giizis/Big Spirit Moon. This is the moon that appears closest to the winter solstice, the longest night of the year. This moon also helps us transition our mind, body, and Spirit for what is to come. During this time when Ishkakimikwe is resting we also take time to reflect on the lessons learned and focus on our own individual needs, purpose, and path to the next part of our journey.

    “Talk to them, they are listening and waiting for you”.

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  • Aaniin All:

    One of this month’s moons is MNIDOONS GIIZISOONHG/ LITTLE SPIRIT MOON - December. As we are ending that time of feasting “Jiibay Wiisinin” we are reminded of what is to come. Although those Spirits/Jiibay return to over there they are still teaching us. Mother Earth “Ishkakime Kwe” will soon be blanketed in White and taking a well-deserved rest. Animikee/ those Thunder beings have also left us for now and are they are also taking a well-deserved rest. When their time of rest is done and we begin another year of preparations, harvesting and learning they will return and offer us their guidance, support, protection, and wisdom. Although we cannot see them, they are always with us.

    ...

Flyers