Aanii LTBB Tribal Citizens, LTBB Employees, and LTBB Community Members

Prosperity Project Update:

The Odawa Prosperity Project is an initiative that began in early 2023 and is funded by the US Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration. Its goal is to create an Economic Diversification and Recovery Strategy for LTBB to support its economic independence and Tribal Citizen-owned businesses by diversifying business operations, developing enterprises, understanding the needs of Citizens and the Tribal workforce, and incorporating cultural and environmental stewardship principles. This community-led initiative was developed based on input from community outreach events, targeted stakeholder meetings, regional economic development authorities, research and analysis from three consulting firms, and 1347 LTBB Census responses.

The initial project activities involved gathering input from LTBB Citizens and stakeholders. The project team participated in numerous community events, such as Round Dance, Winter Fest, Community Meeting, Virtual pop-up, Town Hall, Council Meetings and Work Sessions, and pop-up events at Biindigen, Odawa Casino Resort, Elders Lunch, LTBB Government Center, 911 Building, and the Health Park. This outreach was crucial for identifying opportunities and challenges to ensure the success of future initiatives and to build upon our Tribe’s sovereignty.

The project team then aimed to identify important data to help pinpoint development opportunities. This data included an assessment of the Tribal workforce, entrepreneurial assessment, market and land use analysis, Tribal business review, and SWOT analysis. Utilizing this valuable information, along with feedback from Citizens and stakeholders, was fundamental in supporting the development of a robust strategy to foster economic growth.

A significant source of Citizen feedback was the data gathered during the Tribal Census. Our Tribe conducted its first-ever Tribal Census as part of this project, receiving 1347 responses. These responses represent our Tribe at large and are statistically significant. The Census is an important tool to learn about our community’s goals for the Tribe and their families, and also highlight opportunities and challenges we face together as a community.

As we wrap up the data collection and community engagement phases of this project, the Tribe is now poised to shift its focus toward implementation activities. This next step will be guided by the final deliverable, the LTBB Resiliency Plan, which integrates insights from the community engagement activities with the workforce, market, and regional analysis. This collaboration is reflected in Chapter 4 of the Resiliency Plan. Chapter 4, the Odawa Prosperity Pathway, outlines a clear path forward for our community’s growth and resilience. The Pathway is built on three foundational pillars: Foster Tribal Citizen Prosperity, Cultivate Tribal Entrepreneurship, and Strengthen Tribal Sovereignty. Each of these pillars encompasses specific goals, actionable steps, designated implementation leads, and potential funding sources. Additionally, Chapter 3 of the Resiliency Plan underscores key development opportunities for land parcels owned by LTBB, positioning them as valuable assets for the community’s growth and sustainability.

Chi Miigwech to all Tribal Citizens, descendants, staff members, spouses of Citizens, and all LTBB community members who shared their time and ideas. Strategies reflect our shared vision for the future. Direct engagement from Tribal Citizens was an essential component to addressing the needs of our community, strengthening our sovereignty, honoring the next seven generations, and prioritizing our mutual economic development goals and opportunities.

The Resiliency Plan and a summary of the data from the Census questions will be available by the beginning of 2025, and accessible to LTBB Citizens on the Citizen Portal, LTBB Library, or by reaching out to the LTBB DOC for an electronic copy. Please reach out to the LTBB Department of Commerce with any questions. DOC@ltbbodawa-nsn.gov | 231-242-1585