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.