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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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.

Calendar

(Click for full Calendar)

Jul 2026
- Wed 22
  - 10:00 AM
    
    Gaming Authority Meeting
  - 11:00 AM
    
    Elders Luncheon
  - 5:30 PM
    
    Gaming Regulatory Commission Meeting
  - 5:30 PM
    
    Culture Nights
  - 6:00 PM
    
    Natural Resource Commission Meeting
- Thu 23
  - 9:00 AM
    
    Tribal Council Meeting
  - 11:00 AM
    
    Elders Luncheon
  - 3:00 PM
    
    Native Way – Varsity Pump

LTBB Hosted Events

Tribal Code of Law

Citizens Portal Invitations to Bid

Forms Directory Employment Opportunities

11/26/2025 Living Wage Memo

Per Tribal Resolution #102619-05 Promotion of a Living Wage, the calculations for the Living Wage are as follows:
According to Rentdata.org for 2025, Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Emmet County is $1,154 per month and a three-bedroom apartment is $1,390, creating an average rent of $1,272.00.

Living Wage Memo effective 010126

01/15/2026 Marty Van De Car Memorial Scholarship

The Marty Van De Car Memorial Scholarship was established in 2023 by Marty’s family through donations from their family and friends to honor Marty’s life and legacy.

His parents, Sarah M. and Charles D. Van De Car, Jr., valued higher education and instilled the need to earn a college degree in all three of their children. His mother, Sarah Van De Car, from the King and Kenoshmeg family lines, was a humble nurse who led by example and earned her nursing degree in the 1950s when it was not easy for any woman, especially one of American Indian lineage, to earn a college degree. All three of her children then followed in her footsteps.

Marty attended North Central Michigan College and then Central Michigan University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in political science. He worked tirelessly for both the tribal and non-tribal communities to build community and bridges between each. He knew when each community worked together and truly valued the other, resources could go further, and programs could expand and grow.

This scholarship fund aims to continue Marty’s legacy of promoting his cultural heritage and community building by assisting another to build community through their education endeavors.

Criteria

Graduating Emmet County, Michigan, high school student or currently enrolled student who is an Emmet County resident who is continuing their education at an accredited college, university, community college or eligible trade/technical/vocational institution.
Preference given to an American Indian student. Students should provide a copy of their tribal identification card or letter from the tribal enrollment office.
Selection based on essay response highlighting how students plan to utilize their degree/program of study to build community, honor and share one’s cultural heritage.

Award Details

$1,000 for one year; non-renewable.

Deadline

March 2, 2026

The application to apply for the scholarship is available online at www.phsacf.org. This scholarship program is administered by the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation.

01/09/2026 Victories Square II: Housing Built With Purpose

The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians is pleased to announce it recently received $1.5 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.

Odawa Economic Development Management, Inc., an LTBB tribal corporation under the Legislative Branch, and Community Housing Network will build 44 units in Petoskey, MI, at the Tribe’s Victories Square property in 2026. The units will be for households earning between 30-80% Area Median Income with 23 units receiving project-based rental assistance.

The apartment building, Victories Square II, will be located adjacent to the Tribe’s Victories Square I apartment building, also built with the assistance of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. Victories Square I consists of 50 studio, one- and two-bedroom rental apartments with a large community room, a private meeting room, a laundry and an exercise room with equipment.

Tribal Council passed a motion to eliminate credit scoring from Victories Square Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Buildings 4 and 5 (located on Lots 4 and 5 on the accompanying Victories Square map) applications. There was a three-week timeline where only LTBB Tribal Citizens’ applications were processed for Victories Square I. The same application process will be followed for the Victories Square II building. A ribbon cutting ceremony for Victories Square I was held on October 30, 2025, and occupancy of the building began in December 2025.

While this project is designed first to meet the needs of LTBB citizens, it also helps stabilize the local housing market by increasing long-term, affordable rental options. When families have access to stable housing, it strengthens the local workforce, supports nearby businesses and reduces pressure on emergency and social services — benefits which reach beyond the development itself.

Victories Square II reflects how Tribal policy decisions, carried out through a Tribal economic entity, create lasting value for our Nation and the community we share.

The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program is federally funded and administered by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. It provides tax incentives on a competitive basis to developers who build or rehabilitate housing for low- and moderate-income residents. The credits help reduce financing costs, making it possible to offer lower rents and ensure long-term affordability.

01/08/2026 Project Connect

16

Jul

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Statement by the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Tribal Chairperson, Winnay Wemigwase regarding the approvals of both the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Threatened and Endangered Species Permit TE468 – Enbridge Line 5 Great Lakes Tunnel Project and the Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) draft permit.

On behalf of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, I write in strong opposition to today’s issuances of the MDNR Threatened and Endangered Species Permit TE468 and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Draft Permit. These permits authorize substantial disruption to a place of extraordinary ecological, cultural, spiritual, and historical significance to the Waganakising Odawak, fellow Anishinaabek peoples and all Michiganders who call the Straits of Mackinac home. The Straits of Mackinac are not merely a project site identified by coordinates on a permit. They are part of Gchi-Mikinaan, the Great Waterway, a place central to the identity, migration, lifeways, and ceremonies of our people since time immemorial.

The State of Michigan is bound to honor the treaty reserved rights of the Little Traverse Bay Bands and other Anishinaabek nations. Those rights were not granted by the State; they were reserved by our ancestors through solemn treaties, and they remain the supreme law of the land. Any action that threatens the lands, waters, plants, fish, wildlife, and interconnected ecosystems upon which those treaty rights depend directly undermines the ability of Tribal citizens to exercise those rights today and into the future.

As Waganakising Odawak, we understand our responsibility as one of stewardship, not ownership. Our duty extends beyond the interests of the present generation. We must consider the faces yet unborn and the condition of the world we leave to ...
15

Jul

Gaming Authority Press Release – Hiring New GM

The Gaming Authority Announces Barry Laughlin as General Manager and First LTBB Tribal Citizen to Hold the Position

PETOSKEY, MI — July 14, 2026 — The Gaming Authority is proud to announce the appointment of Barry Laughlin as General Manager, effective July 9, 2026.

With more than 26 years of experience in casino operations and leadership, Mr. Laughlin brings extensive knowledge, dedication, and a proven track record of success to the role. Throughout his career with the organization, he has earned the respect of team members across the enterprise – including Odawa Casino Resort Petoskey and Mackinaw City locations – as well as the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB), through his commitment to team members, tribal citizens, guests, and the organization’s continued success.

This appointment marks a significant milestone for the organization, as Mr. Laughlin becomes the first LTBB Tribal Citizen to serve as General Manager of the Odawa Casino Resort. His promotion reflects not only his professional accomplishments and leadership abilities, but also the LTBB Gaming Authority Boards commitment to developing and advancing Tribal leadership within its enterprises.

As General Manager, Mr. Laughlin will oversee casino and hotel operations in both Petoskey and Mackinaw City, ensuring the enterprise continues to grow, adapt, and excel in serving its team members, guests, and community. His leadership style is grounded in collaboration, innovation, accountability, and a strong commitment to achieving exceptional results.

"We are pleased to welcome Mr. Laughlin into this important leadership position," said Members of the Gaming Authority Board. "His experience, vision, and dedication to our mission make him exceptionally well-suited to lead the organization into its next chapter. As the first LTBB Tribal Citizen to hold this role,...
14

Jul

Giige’idizo-Healing Oneself LTBB Tribal Youth Gathering of Native Americans

The Niigaandiwin Education Department would like to invite you to the Giige'idizo-Healing Oneself LTBB Tribal Youth Gathering of Native Americans in August!

This is a FREE event!

We are excited to offer this event to our community, but most importantly, to our YOUTH.

This gathering is more than an opportunity to come together—it is a chance for Elders, families, and community members to share stories, strengthen relationships, and pass on knowledge that connects us to who we are. At the same time, it creates a space where our youth can be heard.

This event will provide youth with an opportunity to share their needs, hopes, and ideas while connecting with those who can support and guide them along the way.

By bringing generations together, we build understanding, strengthen our community, and ensure that the voices of our youth help shape the path forward while healing all of us.

We hope you will join us!

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10

Jul

Jersey Mike’s Subs Now Available in Victories Square in Petoskey, Michigan

The newest addition to Victories Square in Petoskey, MI, is Jersey Mike’s Subs, recognizable for its popular commercials featuring actor Danny DeVito and former NFL quarterback Eli Manning.

Jersey Mike’s Subs, whose opening day was Wednesday, July 8, features cold and hot subs; sides such as potato chips and hot chopped pepper relish; drinks such as fountain pop, Pepsi products, Gatorade, bottled water, Celsius, Pure Leaf Tea, Stubborn Soda, Bubly and Life Water; and desserts such as fresh baked cookies, GF Snickerdoodle and brownies.

Jersey Mike’s Subs, originally called Mike’s Giant Submarine Shop, opened in 1956 in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. It began as a small, family-run storefront on the Jersey Shore, a popular vacation destination approximately an hour south of New York City, an hour east of Philadelphia and three hours north of Washington, D.C. Michael Ingravallo and his wife, Marie, founded it, and it quickly become known for its fresh-baked bread, premium meats and cheeses and the owners’ personal attention to customers, recognizing them by name and remembering their favorite subs. In 1975, Peter Cancro, then 17, purchased the shop from the Ingravallo’s, eventually expanding it into the national chain now known as Jersey Mike’s Subs, whose slogan is Made Right in Front of You and A Sub Above.

The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians is committed to further developing Victories Square with one retail space still available along U.S. 131 North. Other businesses there include Buffalo Wild Wings, Tropical Smoothie, Starbucks, Great Clips, T-Mobile and Spectrum.

The Tribe will break ground on Victories Square II, a Low-Income Housing Tax Credits apartment building featuring 44 units later this year. The units will be for households earning between 30-80% Area Median Income with 23 units receiving project-based rental assistance.

Victories...
08

Jul
“Corsi Cube” DIY Air Filter Workshop – July 30th

Aanii LTBB Community,

You are invited to attend an upcoming Corsi Cube DIY Air Filter Workshop!

A Corsi Cube is a simple, do-it-yourself air filter that can help reduce harmful airborne particles from wildfire smoke and other sources, including mold, pollen, virus carriers, and many other particles. Workshop attendees will learn how to build and take home their own free Corsi Cube!

Workshop Date and Time: Thursday, July 30th, open from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. Arrive any time! Participation should take approximately 1 hour or less.

Location: Admin commons area

Please note: Corsi Cubes are large (approximately 22" x 22" x 24") so please make sure you have enough vehicle space to take your cube home. If you can’t attend the workshop on the 30th, but still want to make/take home a Corsi Cube, feel free to reach out to using the contact information below.

For questions, please contact Drew Heckman at DHeckman@LTBBODAWA-NSN.GOV or by calling/leaving a message at (231) 242-1578.

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01

Jul

Mskomini Giizis/Raspberry Moon

During this seventh moon of creation, we learn of gentleness and kindness. This gift teaches us of navigating through the thorns of its brush to harvest the fruit of the plant, thus reminding all of us that there are times in life when we must slow down and take time to reflect and navigate life's challenges. Have a great day, month, year.

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