Home

Odawa Register
 (Executive, Legislative,
 Judicial Branches)

Announcements

Calendar of Events

Youth Event Calendar

Photos

Newsletter

Cultural Library Online

Employment

Tribal History

Contacts

Links

Odawa Casino Resort

Voter Registration Form

 

 

- Departments -

 

 

Education Department (WOBTT)

We are dedicated to the vision that through education communities and families flourish. We will encourage individual empowerment and foster tribal prosperity by providing comprehensive educational services and exceptional resources that maintain our cultural values and meet the changing needs of our community. We will promote individual and tribal growth using the future as our goal, the past as our example, and the present as our means of instilling pride in our youth, empowering our families and preserving the knowledge of our elders. We will administer fair and accessible programs that are beneficial to the members, offer positive and valuable activities, and establish an educational center that offers interactive and user-friendly resources. We will also encourage the growth of the greater community through enhanced involvement supported by a department that values knowledge, integrity, change and growth, and whose staff strives for professionalism, fairness and cohesiveness. 

The education department is located on the 1st floor of the program wing in the ltbb Governmental complex.


 

Youth Programs

Preschool-12th Grade Education Assistance Fund
This program is tribally-funded and provides assistance to tribal youth with school-related needs. 

This program:

The application process includes:

SUMMER YOUTH CAMP
This annual program is sponsored and organized by the LTBB Education Department along with the assistance and commitment of other tribal department staff. Summer youth camp is an opportunity for native youth to participate in educational activities such as field trips, presentations, demonstrations and hands-on activities.

This program:


Educational Programs

Michelle Chingwa Education Assistance Scholarship Program

The Michelle Chingwa Education Assistance Scholarship Program was enacted by Waganakising Odawak Statute 2003-06, The Michelle Chingwa Education Assistance Act and took effect on August 15, 2003 . This scholarship program is a Tribally funded program providing monetary scholarships to tribal members pursuing a higher education.

Who is eligible?
All Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians tribal members who:

What does the application require?

Established deadlines are as follows:

How is the scholarship awarded?

Award Criteria:

Higher Education Emergency Assistance Fund

This is a tribally-funded program that provides limited funding to college-enrolled tribal members in cases where emergency situations have significantly strained their educational budgets, and their ability to attend class. 

This program:

Merit Scholarship

This program is tribally funded and is intended to recognize the academic achievements of LTBB tribal members enrolled in institutions of higher education. 

This program:

Adult Education

This program is a tribally funded program that provides educational instruction to adult tribal members who have completed a minimum level of education and who possess very basic skills.  

This program:

Adult Vocational Training

This program is tribally funded and provides assistance to tribal members who are in need of vocational training or a vocational education in order to enhance their employability. This program focuses on certificate and license granting educational programs.  

This program:

The application process requires:

Direct Employment Assistance

This program is tribally funded and provides assistance to obtain and retain employment.  

This program:

The application process requires:

Cultural Library

The Education Department also houses a cultural library that is open to the membership. All of the materials and resources are inventoried and catalogued on a software system that makes it convenient for the membership to set up a patron account and check out library materials.  

The library has a wonderful selection of:

Please visit us and enjoy the library. Also, if you have any recommendations for new materials or resources, please let us know. We are hoping to expand our selection.

Appeal Process

The applicant must obtain an appeal form from the Education Department and submit the completed appeal form to the Education Department within 15 days of receiving notification of the departmental decision. The appeal will be reviewed by the Education Commission at their next regularly scheduled meeting. The applicant will be permitted to present his/her appeal case in person at the aforementioned meeting. A response from the Commission will be provided in 10 days. If the applicant is not satisfied with the Commission’s decision, he/she may appeal to the Tribal Administrator.  

*Please note that failure to complete the appeal process in a timely manner may result in a denial of the appeal.

Resources

FAFSA Online (www.fafsa.ed.gov)

Michelle Chingwa Application

Michelle Chingwa Act

Merit Scholarship Application

Elders Scholarship Application

Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver Application

Enrollment Verification Form


The Education Department is located on the 1st floor of the program wing in the LTBB Governmental complex.  

Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians
Education Department
7500 Odawa Circle
Harbor Springs , MI 49740
(231)242-1480
(231)242-1490 fax  

The Departmental staff consists of:
Melissa Claramunt - Education Director
Dorothy Perry - K-12 Student Services Coordinator
Melissa Colby- Higher Ed., Student Services Coordinator
Beverly Wemigwase - Administrative Assistant
Tom Bauer - WOBTT Project Director, Phone: (231)242-1484 Fax: (231)242-1490 

The Education Department is advised by the education commission which currently consists of the following members:

Catherine Laba - Commissioner
Harriet Kishigo Booth - Treasurer
Lily Anderson - Vice Chairperson