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.
Candidate List 2025 Primary Election is posted to the Election Board page. Candidate Statements and Statements can be found here.
On January 27, 2025, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued Memorandum M-25-13, Temporary Pause of Agency Grant, Loan, and Other Financial Assistance Programs. The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians learned of the federal funding freeze imposed by the OMB through the Memorandum. On January 29, 2025, the OMB rescinded the memorandum. During this time, we have gathered the following information to share with you.
The Executive Branch continues developing plans to mitigate the effects of a freeze while preserving tribal services. In the event of a future freeze, the LTBB expects to maintain services to Tribal citizens. The LTBB has endured nonpayment of funds secured by treaty, congressional failure to appropriate funds, and federal government shutdowns, so it is no stranger to funding failures. The Tribe is positioned to withstand the short-term financial effects of the freeze. Barring an allocation after this statement, the LTBB has an unrestricted fund balance of $10,000,000 that can carry the federal program costs through mid-2025.
Most core services for Tribal citizens such as Michele Chingwa, Elder’s Food and Utilities, Medicare Reimbursements Costs, Burial assistance, and Per Capita are not funded by federal grants. However, services such as Elder’s Luncheon, snow plowing, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act assistance, and Significant Prevention Resulting in New Generations activities are funded through federal grants. The LTBB is current in its drawdowns of federal funds and works diligently to stay current.
Initially, we received notification from federal funding agencies that drawdowns (actual repayment of grant expenditures incurred from the federal government) were temporarily suspended. On January 28, a federal court ordered a stay on the portion of the memo that paused disbursements under open awards,” but left the intact the freeze of new awards. The next day OMB rescinded the memo, effectively ending the freeze. Should similar Executive action transpire in the future, the LTBB will be prepared to act on a plan to conserve funds, remain operational, and maximize services.
We recognize that federal funding is likely to remain subject to political whims. Accordingly, LTBB will work both independently with the Tribe’s lobbyist and in conjunction with the United Tribes of Michigan, Midwestern Alliance of Sovereign Tribes, National Congress of American Indians to prepare for such contingencies and advocate for the Tribe’s interests.
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!
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.
042524-01 Appropriation of Funds for the 2025 Fiscal Year Operating Budgets
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.
Community Health Staff has been working hard to bring together a class to help citizens protect themselves and or building self assurance.
We have a Self Defense class that will be starting April 14th at the Native Way II. We ask that you sign up because we have limited space. Please see the attached flyer for more information.
As we look forward to another harvesting season beginning, we honor Ziinzibaakwad Giizis/Sugar Moon. This moon is when we harvest that ziisbaakadwaaboo, the medicine that comes from the Anintaatig/Maple tree. For the Anishnaabe people this is medicine in its purest form. We use this gift from the Creator to balance our lives Physically, Spiritually, and mentally.
During this time of deep sleep/hibernation, many of our four-legged brothers and sisters are continuing their preparation for the coming seasons. Among them is Mukwa/brother and sister bear. Remember to watch for that one day during this moon cycle when the earth is covered with a heavy fog. It is our message that Gashi Mukwa/Mother Bear has created another miracle of life and welcomed Mukoons/Baby Bear.
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
Youth Services is hosting a Beading Workshop with beadwork artist Becca Lynn on Saturday, March 8th from 10:00am – 4:00pm! Beginner and experienced Youth welcome and all materials will be provided 😊
Please register by scanning the QR code on the flyer or following this link: https://fs21.formsite.com/V6SM9g/ytiuibz3mp/index
Please call Behavioral Health at 231-242-1640 for an appointment.
Please call Behavioral Health at 231-242-1640 for an appointment.
Any families expecting or who has children ages 0-5, we are having our 1st Play Group Pool Party @ The Odawa Hotel on Tuesday March 18th from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
LTBB is excited to host the SBA’s Lead Business Opportunity Specialist, Tom Vargo, and Lender Relations Specialist, Tom McFadden, for an insightful discussion on the power of government contracting and access to capital. This event will help unlock contracting and capital opportunities for business creation and scalability.
Join us for this Webinar on Wednesday, March 19th, from 11 am - 12 pm.
Register here now! https://tinyurl.com/LTBB-SBA-MARCH-2025
Contact SPRING
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https://app.hellosign.com/s/LJki90VA
