Who We Are

 

SPRING (Significant Prevention Resulting in New Generations) is a tribal government program within the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB) Education Department that was established in 2009 to increase harm reduction strategies for our current and future seven generations.

 

Through grant funding by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMSHA) and the Indian Health Services (IHS), SPRING is able to work alongside other LTBB Departments, Tribal Citizens, Community Partners, and Coalitions to address ongoing concerns while incorporating cultural practices as prevention strategies that can be used for a lifetime.

Our Mission

 

Our program is dedicated to reducing substance, prescription, drugs, and alcohol misuse, and suicide in our Tribal Community by promoting culturally appropriate and evidence-based education, outreach, prevention, and resources. We aim to create a supportive and inclusive environment that empowers Anishinaabe to make positive choices for their health and wellbeing. Through collaboration with community partners, we strive to enhance access to resources and support for those affected. Our mission is to promote a healthier and safer community for the next seven generations.

“When we choose the good life, we’re living well, not just for ourselves, but for those seven generations from now.”

 

– James Vukelich Kaagegaabaw

The journey to mino bimaadiziwin starts with you.

The Anishinaabe emphasize the importance of living in harmony with all of our relatives, respecting our elders and ancestors, and maintaining strong connections within our community.

 

SPRING is committed to help encourage our people to stay on this path of a good life. We address the risks substance, prescription, drug, and alcohol misuse, and suicide in our Tribal Community, while providing cultural and traditional teachings to empower our brothers and sisters.

How We Make a Difference

Talking Circle

In-School Talking Circles

We offer in-school talking circles to ensure that our tribal youth have a safe place to talk and learn about cultural and risky behaviors. *With participating schools in the tri-county area*

Baagadowewin

Baagadowewin “Woodland Lacrosse”

Games are hosted all throughout the year to keep its origin story alive, promote community connection, and provide a fun alternative to risky behaviors.

Cultural Teachings

Cultural Teachings

Various forms of teachings are held year-round to strengthen one’s traditional knowledge and to increase confidence with one’s Indigenous identity.

Jiimaan Journey

Jiimaan Journey

We offer in-school talking circles to ensure that our tribal youth have a safe place to talk and learn about cultural and risky behaviors. *With participating schools in the tri-county area*

Drum Making and Lessons

Drum Making & Lessons

Games are hosted all throughout the year to keep its origin story alive, promote community connection, and provide a fun alternative to risky behaviors.

Summer Program

Days at Osborne

Open to ages 5 to 18 years old, this summer camp collaboration emphasizes the cultural teachings of our ancestors about the land, plant, and water relatives.

Meet Our Staff

Angie Woodin

Angie Woodin, MSW, M.ED, MSS
Curriculum Coordinator
231-242-1649

Angie is the heart of the team. She has been with SPRING for many years and continues to spread her wealth of knowledge amongst her colleagues and our people. Angie truly enjoys helping her community, both elder and youth.

RJ Smith

Robert “RJ” Smith
Youth Outreach Specialist
231-242-1648

RJ works with our youth to connect them to our culture and traditions through baagadowewin, talking circles, teachings, drum practice, and so much more. These help our youth gain the tools to guide them to stay on the path of mino bimaadzaawin.

Jade Barnes

Jade Barnes
Youth Activities Organizer
231-242-1641

Jade recently joined the team. She enjoys working alongside RJ to keep our youth on the path of mino bimaadzaawin. In her downtime, she works on maintaining the SPRING schedule, social media, and digital messages.

Angeline Roberts

Angeline Roberts
SPRING Grant Coordinator
231-242-1710

Angeline’s position ensures that SPRING’s activities are compliant and meet grant objectives. She is a hardworking, “behind the scenes” employee who helps keep our program running.

Connect with Us!

Located at 7500 Odawa Circle
Harbor Springs, Michigan
Phone: (231) 242-1641
SpringGrant@ltbbodawa-nsn.gov

2021 Facebook icon

Our Social Media is under construction and expanding! Check out our Facebook page for the most up-to-date information.

SAMSHA
IHS logo

The agencies who keep us running

We are so very grateful for the grants, mentioned below, that fund our program. Without them, we would not be here today.

 

  • SAMSHA: Strategic Prevention Framework – Partnerships for Success #1H79SP081753
  • SAMSHA: Strategic Prevention Framework for Prescription Drugs #5H79SP082767
  • IHS, Suicide Abuse and Suicide Prevention: Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention #BH22IHS0006-01-00
Ziibimijwang Logo
LTBB Youth-Logo-500x500
NRD-Animal-Ring-Logo-300x300
LTBB-Community-Health
Education-Logo

And the partners who help us transform lives

Fellow LTBB Programs and Tribal Businesses have given their time and support to help us guide our community to find mino bimaadziwin.

 

  • Elders of the Community
  • Waaniigaanzijik Youth Services
  • Niigaandiwin Education Department
  • Indigenous STEAM
  • Mnozhiyaa Community Health
  • Ziibimijwang Farm
  • LTBB Behavioral Health
  • Natural Resources Department
  • Language Department
  • Tribal Law Enforcement

Crisis Resources

FREE, 24/7, and Confidential

 

 

IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING AN EMERGENCY, CALL 911

View Resources

TEXT: NATIVE to 741741

CHAT: www.crisistextline.org

WHATSAPP: Crisis Text Line (verified green checkmark)

TEXT: 988

Call: 988 or 1-800-273-8255

Chat: www.988lifeline.org/chat

Suicide Hotline for LGBTQ Youth

TEXT: START to 678678

CALL: 1-866-488-7386

CHAT: www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/

Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline

CALL: 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483)

CHAT: www.strongheartshelpline.org

Hotline run by Trans People for Trans and questioning peers

CALL: 1-877-565-8860

Information, Support, and Advocacy about Romantic Relationships (Ages 13-26)

TEXT: LOVEIS to 22522

CALL: 1-866-331-9474

CHAT: www.loveisrespect.org

National Child Abuse Hotline

TEXT: 1-800-422-4453

CALL: 1-800-422-4453

CHAT: www.childhelphotline.org

Teen-to-Teen Crisis Support and Help Line. Teens available 4-10 pm PST. Adults are available by phone at all other times.

TEXT: teen2teen to 839863

CALL: 1-877-968-8491

CHAT: www.theyouthline.org

EMAIL: Teen2Teen@LinesforLife.org

Get help. Report a tip. Find services. Learn about your options.

TEXT: BeFree to 233733

CALL: 1-888-373-7888

CHAT: www.HumanTraffickingHotline.org

Crisis, Resource, and Referral Number for Kids and Parents.

TEXT: VOICE to 20121

CALL: 1-800-448-3000

OK2SAY is the Michigan student safety program which allows students to confidentially

report tips on potential harm or criminal activities directed at students, school employees, and schools.

TEXT: 652729

CALL: 1-855-565-2729

EMAIL: OK2SAY@mi.org

WEBSITE: www.OK2SAY.com

MOBILE APP: Search “OK2SAY” in the app stores for both iPhone and Android devices

Information Resources

Non-emergent, FREE, 24/7, and Confidential

View Resources

Healthy Native Youth contains health promotion curricula and

resources to promote positive youth development, embrace cultural teachings,

and demonstrate evidence of effectiveness.

WEBSITE: https://www.healthynativeyouth.org/

2 Spirit and LGBTQ+ Communities throughout the country

WEBSITE: https://www.pathsremembered.org/

The Native Youth Sexual Health Network is an organization by and for

Indigenous youth that works across issues of sexual and reproductive

health, rights and justice throughout the United States and Canada.

WEBSITE: https://www.nativeyouthsexualhealth.com/

The It Gets Better Project’s mission is to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian,

gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth around the globe.

WEBSITE: https://itgetsbetter.org/

Support for Quitting Vaping

TEXT: DITCHVAPE to 88709

WEBSITE: https://www.thetruth.com/article/this-is-quitting

A youth website that provides credible information about the

harmful effects of drug use.

WEBSITE: https://www.justthinktwice.gov/

iknowmine has been a trustworthy health resource for

you(th) and their allies like providers, parents, teachers,

aunties and uncles and other trusted adults since 2009.

WEBSITE: https://www.justthinktwice.gov/

A comprehensive health resource for Native youth, by Native youth.

WEBSITE: https://www.wernative.org/

Support for People Who Think Their Loved One is Struggling

with Substance Misuse

TEXT: CONNECT to 55753

CALL: 1-855-378-4373

ONLINE SUPPORT: www.drugfree.org/get-support/