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.
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.
Boozhoo Tribal Citizens and LTBB Employees,
This message is being sent to alert all Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB) tribal citizens and government staff of an URGENT air quality event affecting our region. Please read carefully and take all precautions seriously.
Air Quality Advisory in Effect – Unhealthy Conditions Expected
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), in coordination with the U.S. EPA, has issued an Air Quality Alert for northwest Lower Michigan, including the LTBB tribal service area and surrounding communities. Wildfire smoke from ongoing large-scale fires in Canada is drifting into Michigan and mixing down to ground level. As a result, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is reaching concentrations that are considered “Unhealthy” for all populations.
Tuesday, June 3: Moderate air quality, with rapidly rising PM2.5 levels.
Wednesday, June 4: Forecasted Unhealthy air quality due to smoke at ground level.
The situation is dynamic and worsening, especially as wind patterns and a cold front move through the region. EGLE will reassess conditions on Wednesday and issue updated forecasts accordingly.
What is PM2.5 and Why Is This Serious?
PM2.5 refers to fine inhalable particles less than 2.5 microns in diameter. These particles are small enough to bypass the body’s natural defenses and enter the lungs and bloodstream, potentially causing:
Coughing, throat irritation, and shortness of breath
Worsening asthma, COPD, or heart conditions
Increased risk of heart attack or stroke in vulnerable individuals
Eye and sinus irritation, fatigue, and headaches
Children, older adults, individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular illness, and pregnant people are especially vulnerable — but during “Unhealthy” conditions, everyone is at risk.
Immediate Recommendations for All Tribal Citizens and LTBB Employees
Whether you are at home, at work, or outdoors, please take the following precautions immediately:
Special Guidance for LTBB Outdoor/Field Work Staff
Field crews, facilities staff, and any personnel working outdoors should follow these protective measures:
Supervisors should evaluate scheduled fieldwork and reschedule or modify tasks to reduce outdoor exposure. No one should be working outside in unsafe conditions without proper protection.
Stay Informed
LTBB Environmental Services is closely monitoring this event and will provide updates as new information becomes available.
You can also track current air quality and forecasts at:
MI Air Quality: MiAir
AirNow (EPA): www.airnow.gov
Your health and safety are our top priority. Please take this alert seriously and support each other in following the recommended precautions.
This information has been approved and developed in conjunction with the LTBB Tribal Clinic.
Miigwech for your attention and cooperation.
Environmental Services Program
Natural Resources Department
Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians
A copy of the detailed 2026 Tribal Government Budgets can be found within the Citizen’s Portal under Appropriations and Finance Committee.
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.
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!
Mno Kizhep. I hope that you all have recovered from the ice storm of last month. As heartbreaking as this was and seeing all the devastation, we are reminded that with every ending there is a new beginning. The Creator always has a plan. Full Faith will get us through. That being said we are reminded that this month's moon/ Odemin Giizis shares with us why we are able to maintain that full faith. "Ode", our heart is what keeps us going and "Odemin", that strawberry moon reminds us of the teachings that we were given to help us maintain both physically and Spiritually.
Odemin/O day min (heart berry) is connected to a vast system of leaves, roots and runners just as our heart is connected to all the other organs and parts of the human body. The heart is the center of a human. Veins and arteries are our roots and runners. The heart berry also reminds us of reconciliation and teaches us how to maintain heartfelt relationships in our families and communities.
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.
Playgroup in the Park - Alanson Village Park
Please call Behavioral Health at 231-242-1640 for an appointment.
Contact SPRING
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