Organization serves as an advocate for Indian communities

Observer Staff

10/2/2003 12:00:00 AM

The Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan Inc. is a state-chartered 501 C3 nonprofit organization consisting of 11 of the 12 federally recognized/reaffirmation of status Tribes in Michigan. It offers a variety of program services, each having its own eligibility requirements and includes all or part of the 11 member ITC Tribes, depending on the particular program.

The mission of the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan is 1) to act as a forum for member Tribes; 2) to advocate for member Tribes in the development of programs and policies which will improve the economy, education and quality of life for Michigan Native Americans; and 3) to provide training, technical assistance, research and coordination to member Tribes that include but are not limited to: the formulation of specific program services, designs, goals, objectives and evaluation methodologies, potential funding sources, collaboration and networking assistance.

The ITC currently offers a myriad of program services such as Families First, Future Leaders Conference (annually), Teen Parent Program, Chippewa County Homemakers Program, Title VI-Elderly, Low Income Energy Assistance Program, and Child Care Assistance Program, all under the Child and Family Services umbrella.

In education and employment, ITC offers Head Start, Early Head Start and Early On programs and administers the Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver program, WIA program and Economic Development Assistance for member Tribes.

Health programs include Mental Health, Helping Hands (Substance Abuse), Healthy Heart, Health Education, Healthy Start, Pre-Birth Through Age Three, Circles of Care, Mental/Behavioral Health Services, Native American Prevention Services (for Grand Rapids' urban area), Chronic Disease Reduction, and Environmental Services as well as support system programs in Management Information and Business Office Coordination.

The Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan Inc. was initially founded as Michigan I-CAP in 1966 by the four charter member Tribes: Bay Mills Ojibwa Indian Community, Hannahville Potawatomi Indian Community, Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Indian Community and the Saginaw Chippewa (Ojibwa) Tribe of Michigan and was located in St. Ignace.

In 1968 the name was changed to The Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan Inc. and in 1972 the agency was relocated to Saulte Ste. Marie, the historical gathering place of the Anishnabek, Algonquian-speaking Okijwa and Potawatomi Indians, among other nations.

The historic roots for an Inter-tribal Council in Michigan can trace its origins to the mid 1400's when the Anishnabek relocated to Michigan from the Atlantic coast of Southeastern Canada. While in Michigan they separated into three groups, the Ojibway (Those Who Make Picture Writing), considered the Elder Brothers; the Ottawa (Traders or At Home Anywhere People), referred to as the Middle Brothers; and the Potawatomi (People or Keepers of the Sacred Fire), addressed as the Younger Brothers.

For mutual protection, commerce, social interactions and cultural and spiritual exchange, they formed the Council of The Three Fires, which is the logo today adopted by the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan.

The philosophy of the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan Inc. continues to emphasize that "all your strength is in your union, all your weakness is in the discord" and that "without hope and vision, the People perish."

We turn to the past to perpetuate the Anishnabek culture, languages, traditions, social mores and religious practices, while at the same time promoting and designing programs and services that will improve the memberships' quality of life and enable the Tribes and people to persevere in modern society, entering the 21st century under their own terms.