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.
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.
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.
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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.
On behalf of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, I join Chuck Hoskin Jr., Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, in condemning the statement of Ann Coulter that “We didn’t kill enough Indians.” This vile hate speech demeans and dehumanizes Native Americans. It glorifies America’s shameful legacy of genocide.
Her words are an attack on our dignity, our sovereignty, and our very existence. As Chief Hoskin Jr. observed, such “rhetoric has aided and abetted the destruction of tribes, their life ways, languages and cultures, the violation of treaty rights, violence, oppression, suppression and dispossession.”
Genocidal rhetoric was employed to justify the founding and funding of Indian boarding schools to destroy tribes’ life ways, languages, and cultures: “kill the Indian in him and save the man.” Today, we continue to live in the shadow of those boarding schools, both figuratively and physically—figuratively as we heal from the trauma and reclaim the language, culture, and ways that the schools forbid, and physically from a boarding school that operated down the road in Harbor Springs. Until the school discontinued the boarding school in 1983, it forced the Odawa and Indians from our sister tribes to reject their Indian identity while being exposed to abuse and maltreatment. Far too many young children perished on the school’s grounds, never to see their families again. They are among the sacred lives Ms. Coulter mocked.
Given her history as a conscienceless provocateur, it is tempting to dismiss Ann Coulter’s hate speech as the latest in a long line of cheap and odious pleas for publicity. But at a time when our communities work to heal, preserve, rebuild, and thrive despite generations of trauma, her insouciant cruelty seeks to cause real harm. I call on all Americans to reject her hate, boycott her appearances and products, and stand with Indigenous nations in promoting civility and mutual respect. I further ask that social media platforms hold purveyors of hate accountable by imposing and enforcing community standards that prohibit the celebration of genocide.
Like other Indian tribes, the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians is a sovereign nation whose history and rich culture developed long before the founding of the United States. The Odawa people—my people—have endured and survived unrelenting attempts to erase us and are determined to flourish. We, and all tribal people, deserve to be treated with the dignity and respect owed to any nation. We are strong and resilient. We are still here. And we will always be here.
Boozhoo Everyone!
The Environmental Services Program Staff would like to invite the tribal community to participate in our extended commenting period on the proposed Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) for LTBB. Catalyst Partners and the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians (LTBB) have partnered to create a report that meshes goals of LTBB’s Climate Emergency Action Plan Resolution with an implementable plan for the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant. We want to hear all views on this report to include the concerns of the tribal public, but to do that we need you. Note that this document will be continually modified as we receive new information about upcoming projects. With this in mind, the final draft will include updates related to the Murray road projects. If you have any projects planned let us know so that we can include it in future planning documents.
Please feel free to review this document at your own pace and fill out the CCAP Comment Form with any feedback you’d like to provide.
ESP Staff will be accepting comments through Friday August 1st, 2025. Miigwech to you all for taking the time to share your thoughts and have a great day!
LTBB Community Health is ready to start accepting Michigan Indian Family Olympics (MIFO) registrations for 2025!
The Community Health Department strives to promote health and wellness and MIFO is a great opportunity to compete with other Michigan Tribes in fun physical activities! There are a variety of ways to get involved in this competition. Activities include: Archery, Long Jump, Jump Rope and Fitness Circuit, Softball Throw, 3 Point Basketball Shot, Running/Walking, and Lacrosse Speed Shot!
Opening Ceremonies will begin at 9 a.m. on Friday, July 18, 2025 at Central Michigan University’s Bennett Track and Field. Kindly plan ahead for the travel time to the MIFO location. Please see the attached flyer for more information.
LTBB 2025 MIFO team incentives include paid lodging and day passes at the Soaring Eagle Waterpark in Mt. Pleasant, MI on Thursday, July 17, 2025, paid registration fees and a team t-shirt, along with breakfast and snacks/drinks during the Family Olympics.
LTBB MIFO team members will be responsible for transportation, expenses prior to and after the event, towels for the waterpark, and a hotel deposit of $50 per room for any amenities incurred during the hotel stay.
As in the past, we will need assistance with setting up and tearing down the LTBB team site. All LTBB team members are responsible for keeping the team site clean. We do have Volunteer Positions available for LTBB team members. Team members should arrive at the field by 9 a.m. to participate in the Opening Ceremonies and plan accordingly so you can participate in at least 4 events. If you do not participate in at least 4 events, then you will be jeopardizing the opportunity to participate with LTBB next year.
The Registration Forms are now available – please use this link below. We will be accepting Registration Forms through Monday, June 23, 2025.
Link: https://forms.office.com/r/DprQz6RCar
If you experience technical difficulties: You may print off and mail Registration Forms to Little Traverse Bay Bands Community Health Department, HEALTH CLINIC; Attn: Adam Arroyo; or send via email to aarroyo@LTBBODAWA-NSN.GOV. Mailed and emailed forms must arrive to Community Health by the deadline. Adam will be organizing a couple of practice days for teams. These days will be shared once they’re confirmed.
Lodging is limited and provided on a first come, first serve basis. We require a minimum of 4 participants in each room, and you must have 4 completed registration forms to reserve the room. Lodging arrangements can be made until Monday, June 23, 2025 at 5:00 pm. Please call Diana Scott at (231)242-1601 to request a room after submitting all 4 completed registrations. If the allotted rooms are full prior to this date, there will be a waiting/cancelation list available.
If you have questions after reading the entirety of this email regarding the 2025 Michigan Indian Family Olympics, please contact Adam Arroyo via telephone: (231) 445-8675.
This guide is here to help you. Although it is not a substitute for emergency support or mental health support; it is here to serve as a resource guide for Suicide Prevention.
Any questions please contact Tina Bishaw, Crisis Counselor, at 231-242-1557
Per Tribal Resolution #102619-05 Promotion of a Living Wage, the calculations for the Living Wage are as follows:
Living Wage Memo effective 010125
Please contact the Tribal Chairperson’s Office for more details or questions.
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.
The Health Fair is coming soon .....Save the date of August 15th Let everyone know about this great day of learning all about the services our community has to offer to keep you healthy in mind, body and soul.
There has been changes to U-Pick produce options for our LTBB community this year.
• Mshko’Ode Farm has contracted with another local organization to provide U-Pick produce options for our Tribal community this growing season. LTBB Community Health will provide information as we receive it from Mshko’Ode Farm, and they have advised that their facebook page is the best place to find updated information on U-Pick dates and times and what produce will be available. Here is a link to their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mshkode Mshko’Ode farm shared that they will be offering equal produce and U-Pick options to our community under their new agreement. Their latest email to us indicates they may be opening the farm for U-Pick next week, so please check their facebook page for the most current information!
• Berg Farm: John Keshick and Berg Farm have withdrawn their contract with LTBB to provide U-Pick produce for our Tribe Community, so this will not be an option any longer.
Due to these changes, Community Health will be doing a survey for LTBB Citizens to fill out to tell us what kinds of produce that Citizens are interested in and what quantities. Once the surveys are completed, Community Health staff will analyze the results and determine how to best meet this need with bulk produce purchases and distributions to Citizens.
We have researched U-Pick options available in northern Michigan and we have not found options available for people to go and pick their own produce at farms. We will continue to pursue this option, and if anyone has any suggestions for farms that provide U-Pick produce options, please email Deb Shawa, Community Health Manager, at dshawa@ltbbodawa-nsn.gov or at 231-242-1601 to provide information and we will follow up on these leads.
With the recent US measles outbreaks and first reported case in the state of Michigan, the Little Traverse Bay Band Health Clinic is highly recommending vaccination against this disease.
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. One person can infect 90% of non-immunized people they come in contact with, causing symptoms of high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, diarrhea, and rash. Major complications include pneumonia, brain swelling, and death.
For more information regarding measles, check out the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services at Measles Updates or the National Indian Health Board’s post at https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1WacAGrLVH/. Ask your provider if you or your child should receive the vaccine. Those born before 1957 are considered immune and generally do not need to receive the vaccine.
With spring break travel in and out of our area, we also recommend increased vigilance in hand washing and mask wearing to prevent the spread of infection. Measles can live in airspaces up to two hours after an infected person leaves it.
We offer nurse visits for immunizations, so call today!
RICKY COMPO
TAMARA KIOGIMA
LEROY SHOMIN
DOUG EMERY
WILLIAM ORTIZ
MARCI REYES
KENNETH DEWEY
AARON OTTO
SHARON SIERZPUTOWSKI
SIERRA BODA (WITHDREW 5-14-21)
BERNADECE (BERNIE) BODA & LINDA GOKEE
REGINA GASCO-BENTLEY & STELLA KAY
(Click Team To Read Their Statements)
BERNADECE (BERNIE) BODA & LINDA GOKEE
REGINA GASCO-BENTLEY & STELLA KAY
(Click Candidate Name To View Their Statement)
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LTBB Events
Please call Behavioral Health at 231-242-1640 for an appointment.
Please call Behavioral Health at 231-242-1640 for an appointment.
Contact SPRING
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