Changing Systems. Changing Lives.
Welcome to Mino-Bimaadiziwin, "the good life" we are building around Little Traverse Bay.
Miigwech, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization established under Waganakising Odawak Statute 2003-07 of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. We support Tribal Sovereignty as Indigenous Peoples.
We see the value in everyone and, while we prioritize the needs of our Indigenous brothers and sisters, we want to better our entire community. We want to be a catalyst for positive change, starting right here in Little Traverse Bay.
Since gaining our nonprofit status in 2021, we’ve continued to push forward to achieve the ideal we founded this organization upon: Mino-Bimaadiziwin (The Good Life). A long life free from illness and other misfortune; a life of longevity and wellbeing; a connected, good, and honest life; social solidarity accomplished through compassionate acts of giving.
Learn more about who we are, how we make change, and how you can get involved.
IMPORTANT ANISHINAABEK TERMS TO KNOW
Anishinaabe : a group of culturally related Indigenous peoples present in the Great Lakes region of the colonially-bordered nations of Canada and the United States. They include the Ojibwe (including Mississaugas), Odawa, Potawatomi, Saulteaux, Oji-Cree, and Algonquin peoples.
Anishinaabemowin : language of the Anishinaabe peoples
Miigwech : traditionally "I have enough," now used generally as "thanks"
Mino-Bimaadiziwin : the good life
Odawa : also Ottawa or Odaawaa /oʊˈdɑːwə/), said to mean "traders." Federally recognized as Native American tribes in the United States and have numerous recognized First Nations bands in Canada. Related to but distinct from the Ojibwe and Potawatomi peoples.
Waganakising : “land of the crooked tree,” is between what is now know as Harbor Springs and Cross Village in Emmet County, Michigan.
Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians : the federally recognized tribe of the Waganakising Odawa
For more in-depth information on the Waganakising Odawa and Anishinaabe culture, please educate yourself through these sites.
Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians - Official Website
Our Land and Culture: a 200 year history of our land use (PDF book)
The Ojibwe People's Dictionary
