A Tribal History

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.

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

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02/20/2025
Resources Charlevoix/Emmet Counties: Suicide Prevention Education & Resource Guide

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

Read Guide Here

  • 06
    Nov

    The 2025 Per Capita checks in the amount of $500.00 have been delivered to the Harbor Springs post office and will be mailed tomorrow, November 7, 2025.

     

    If citizens had signed up for EFT by October 30, their payment will upload to their account tomorrow, November 7, 2025. 

     

    Checks or EFT’s have been issued to all citizens who were alive and enrolled as of October 31, 2025 AND have a current verified address on file with Enrollment from the Harbor Springs Post Office.

     

    ALL questions regarding per capita checks, especially those who may not have had a verified address on file with Enrollment, should be directed to the Enrollment Department at 231-242-1522.  Enrollment will communicate with Accounting as necessary.

     

    Chi Miigwech to the Enrollment staff and the Accounting staff, this is a massive endeavor. A special Chi Miigwech to Cheryl Kishigo for spearheading the process.

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  • 03
    Nov

    As we look ahead to the changing of the seasons, we are again reminded of things to come. Mshkawjii Giizis/ Freezing Moon-Migrating Moon, tells us to prepare for the time of numerous changes in our surroundings. This is the time when the Star Nation is closest to us, our four-legged relatives are preparing for their time of fasting/hibernation, and the winged ones begin their flight to warmer destinations. During the coming months as the ground becomes covered with that white blanket our two-legged relations gather together to pass on those teachings, stories, songs and we honor each other with this sharing of knowledge. 

    Chi-Miigwetch, have a great week, month year.    

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  • 31
    Oct

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  • 29
    Oct

    We are Live with our new EHR system! 

     

    To sign up for MyChart, please use the QR code provided or click the link to take you to login/register. 

    https://mychart.ochin.org/ltbbhealth

     

    Yesterday was our first day being live with the new system and it went very well! 

     

    As a reminder, please be patient while our health employees navigate this new system.

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  • 27
    Oct

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  • 25
    Oct

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  • 23
    Oct

    Please see attached for information about the upcoming Community Meetings that will cover updates about a potential municipal water system in Pellston to address the need for a long term solution for clean drinking water due to the PFAS contamination.

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  • 01
    Oct

    As we look at the changing of the seasons, as we are now well into Fall/Dagwaagin, we are reminded of more changes coming. This month's moon is Biinaakwe Giizis/ Falling Leaves Moon: This is a time when all Creation honors Mother Earth by preparing the most beautiful colors imaginable. On the Falling Leaves moon, leaves begin to blanket Mother Earth. The spirit of each leaf is placed upon her with the gentleness and grace that only the spirits of Creation allow. 

    This is also a time of finishing the harvest and preparing for the sparse months to come, the falling leaves remind us there is an end for every season but reminds us also that with every ending there is also a new beginning.

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  • 24
    Sep

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