Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians

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:

is available to all eligible tribal member youth who are enrolled in school
provides a $100.00 scholarship and is available once per academic year
allows for assistance with school-related supplies, clothing, uniforms; athletic equipment; musical instruments and lessons; and other school-related extracurricular activities

The application process includes:

Completion and submission of a Preschool-12 Education Assistance application and copy of child’s Tribal ID card
Processing of application and check request by Education Department

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:

is for youth ages 4 – 14 and is at no cost to participants
is held from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm , Monday –Friday, during the designated camp week for youth ages 4-6
is held from 8;00 am—5:-00 pm Monday—Friday, during the designated camp week for youth ages 7-10, 11-12
requires that the participant’s registration packet is complete, including a signed permission form and medical waiver form and requires that the participant is dropped off & picked up at the designated area and that the participant brings a packed lunch and beverage

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:

have a complete application on file, including all signed forms and documentation
are enrolled in an accredited institution of higher education or a tribally-controlled college
maintain a 2.0 GPA or better
have applied for all campus-based financial aid prior to applying

What does the application require?

a complete scholarship application and all necessary forms (to be completed each Fall for the academic year) which begins August 1st.
application for Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver (if eligible)
a copy of most current grades (for continuing college students)
a copy of student’s class schedule
a copy of tribal card, driver’s license, and social security card
a copy of student’s SAR (Student Aid Report) from processed FAFSA

Established deadlines are as follows:

Fall - October 1st
Winter / Spring - February 15th
Summer - June 15th

How is the scholarship awarded?

The levels for each classifiacation of award shall be as follows:
- Class 1 (LTBB sponsored courses)
  $25 per credit hour
- Class 2 (community colleges)
  $150 per credit hour
- Class 3 (4 yr. colleges)
  $250 per credit hour
- Class 4 (graduate level courses)
  $350 per credit hour
- Class 5 (free courses)
  $15 per credit hour
The program awards undergraduate students up to 18 credits per semester; graduate students will be awarded up to 12 credits per semester.
Awards will be distributed in two (2) installments each semester to the student's institution. The award will be applied toward direct school expenses before being released to the student.
In order to be eligible for the second installment of the Michelle Chingwa Education Assistance scholarship award, students must submit an Enrollment Verification Form, which is provided in their first award notification letter, a copy of their most recent grade report. This form must be completed by the student’s Enrollment Office and sent to the LTBB Education Department.

Award Criteria:

LTBB members who drop-out, withdraw from courses or are expelled from their institution, or are determined ineligible to receive Michelle Chingwa Education Assistance after receiving an installment of the Michelle Chingwa Education Assistance scholarship will have the distributed amount adjusted from their next approved award or will be processed for repayment. This does not include students who are waived based on extenuating circumstances.

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:

is available to all eligible tribal members actively enrolled in an accredited institution of higher education or a tribally-controlled college who are in need of emergency assistance due to family tragedy, accident, natural disaster or other immediate circumstance causing significant financial strain
requires written statement of need and documentation of circumstance(s)
provides monetary assistance or other support services up to $1000
Does not allow for reimbursement of household bills or the payment of past due rent/mortgage.
is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, first come – first served, with eligibility limited to once per academic year

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:

is available to all eligible tribal members enrolled in an accredited institution of higher education or a tribally-controlled college who achieve a semester/term GPA of 3.0 or better
provides a monetary award sent to the student; award amount is based on the semester grade point average and full-time or part-time status
grades must be submitted within the academic year in which they were received; August 1st is the start of each academic year; summer grade reports are accepted through December 31st.

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:

is available to adult tribal members with minimal education and very basic skills hindering their ability to be an effective citizen or productive employee
allows for GED preparation and testing, literacy instruction, tutoring, life skills courses
covers expenses such as registration fees, book costs, tutoring expenses, etc.

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:

is available to all eligible adult tribal members who are in need of training in order to obtain satisfactory employment or are underemployed and facing extreme hardship
allows for vocational training courses, on-the-job training, and apprenticeships
provides supportive services such as transportation expenses, childcare costs, tools and equipment, clothing and uniforms
provides assistance up to $5,000; financial assistance for retraining is not permitted

The application process requires:

a complete Adult Vocational Training application and all required forms
a copy of high school diploma or GED certificate
documentation of program, training schedule and all related costs from an accredited institution.
a copy of tribal card, driver’s license, and social security card

Direct Employment Assistance

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

This program:

is available to all eligible tribal members who are unemployed or underemployed at the time of application
is intended for tribal members seeking permanent full-time employment
allows for assistance with expenses that may include uniforms, tools, equipment, transportation, moving costs, and child care
requires that tribal members hold employment for at least 90 days to remain eligible without repayment

The application process requires:

a complete Direct Employment application and all required forms
statement of need or estimate of expenses
verification of employment

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:

Language tapes
Instructional videos
Entertainment videos
Documentary videos
College materials
Children’s books
Reference materials
Periodicals
Fiction & non-fiction

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