Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians

The Niigaandiwin Education Department, which houses the Cultural Services Program and Cultural Library, will lead the Little Traverse Bay Bands community in restoring, documenting, and preserving two traditional practices for future generations. Traditional Anishinabek artforms, such as quill work and weaving, are key to preserving the history, stories, language, and culture that is central to the identity of the Odawa people. Though few traditional knowledge keepers remain, this project will connect elders with youth through workshops and then digitally document them to preserve traditional knowledge. The project will encompass seasonal community craft circles, through which participants will learn about history, language, and traditional ecological knowledge. They will gain a greater understanding of the culture and their role in preserving the land and traditional ways of knowing.