Board Meeting on Tuesday

Mackinac Bands of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians will hold a Board Meeting on Tuesday October 27, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. in the lower level of the Cheboygan Area Library.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

TRADITIONAL WAYS AND ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT MERGE

The tradition of the fall feast was celebrated by the Mackinac Bands of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. On Sunday, September 20 at 12:00 noon the annual Fall Feast of the MB was held at the Benton Township Hall in Alverno, eight miles south of Cheboygan. It was a beautiful day for a feast and the atmosphere was one of warmth and friendship. As is customary for Native Americans, a circle was formed and an offering of a sample of the food being served was accompanied by a prayer, then placed the offering into the mouth of Grandfather Fire to give thanks for all things.

Although most Indian tribes continue to honor their old traditions, there are new added features of organized Indian tribes, one of which is the adoption of a constitution. The Mackinac Bands announced the readiness of a Constitution soon to be voted on. Another announcement of an election that would take place within a year following the approval of the Constitution requires the formation of an election committee to develop election policies and procedures. Holding an election without rules would be putting the cart before the horse so volunteers are needed in order to push the start button on the entire process. Researching and implementing what works for other tribes would be the first step in a long and tedious process and member input is imperative in order that your voices be heard.

Meetings will be set at times to accommodate the schedules of members whenever possible.

For more information email me at lynne.mackbands@yahoo.com

Twenty Michigan groups urge Senate to pass legislation

To safeguard America’s wildlife and natural resources from the negative impacts of global warming...

Michigan – Twenty sportsmen, conservation and outdoor recreation groups from Michigan today joined nearly 600 organizations from across the country in calling on the Senate to pass comprehensive climate and energy legislation that not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions, but also dedicates a significant portion of funding towards helping our wildlife and natural resources that are currently threatened by climate change.

“From providing us with safe drinking water to sustaining our outdoor economy, Michigan’s natural resources keep our communities healthy, our families happy, and our businesses thriving,” said Grenetta Thomassey, Policy Director, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council. “As a lifelong conservationist, I’m proud to be part of such a diverse coalition of interests rallying around a common cause. Together, we urge the Senate to put us on the right path by dedicating funding from climate change legislation to help safeguard our waters, lands and wildlife for future generations.”

All the groups agree that in order to realistically tackle the existing and forecasted impacts facing our treasured wild places and animals, the Senate will need to dedicate approximately 5% of the total allowances from a climate bill towards safeguarding our natural resources from the negative impacts of climate change. Here in Michigan, Senators Levin and Stabenow are being called on to champion these provisions as climate change legislation moves through the Senate.

Healthy natural systems provide clean water, clean air and protect communities from catastrophic weather-related disasters, ranging from hurricanes to floods to forest fires. In Michigan there are 1.7 million hunters and anglers who spend $3.4 billion annually, which support 46,000 jobs. Outdoor recreation accounts an overall annual contribution of $730 billion to the national economy, supporting 6.5 million jobs.

Local, state and federal agencies, tribes and fish, wildlife and land managers are critically short of funding needed to effectively respond to the combination of the challenges posed by a changing climate.

“The threat of climate change to our natural world is unprecedented,” said Lynne Weaver, Mackinac Bands of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. “To meet this challenge our local resource managers need new dedicated resources to employ safeguards on a scale never before seen.”

The groups are urging the Senate to develop climate legislation that will establish a national policy framework to begin addressing the impacts of climate change on our natural resources; provide increased scientific capacity, coordination and information sharing; and dedicate 5% of the total allowance value to federal, state and tribal agencies.

"Time is running out for many of America’s most treasured wildlife and landscapes," said Brenda Archambo, National Wildlife Federation outreach consultant. "New and dedicated resources are needed to safeguard wildlife and natural resources from climate change impacts today so future generations of Americans can enjoy a thriving natural heritage tomorrow."

MB ANNUAL FALL FEAST AND BOARD MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT

Mackinac Bands of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Fall Feast will be held on Sunday Sept.20, 09 at 12:00 noon at the Benton Twp hall, Alverno, MI. The hall is located 8mi. south of Cheboygan. Signs will be posted. Please bring a dish to pass and your own table service. Meat and drinks will be provided. Everyone welcome.

Our next Board of Director’s meeting will be held on Tuesday Sept.15 at 1:00 p.m. in the lower level of the Cheboygan Library, room A.

Mackinac Bands 2009 Pow wow Rogers City Michigan

Pow wow Picture clip -- Rogers City you tube video clip

Splinter group

a number of members of an organization, who split from the main body and form an independent group of their own

Powwow is part of Nautical City Festival

6/30/2009 11:43:34 AM
show video online
by Richard Lamb-- Advance Editor

A first-ever kind of event is planned for this year’s Nautical City Festival August 8 in Rogers City. The Mackinac Bands of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians are teaming up with the Presque Isle County Historical Museum to put on the first full-blown powwow to ever be held in northeastern Michigan. Mark Thompson, curator of the museum, said the museum is accustomed to dealing with old traditions, but this takes it to an entirely different level. The original ship Welcome, which will be represented at the festival by way of a replica, was built two years before the Declaration of Independence, but American Indian traditions predate that.


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Northern Great Lakes Indian Pow Wow

Rogers City Mi.
August 8th

Saturday @ 1 P.M.
Admission to the

Pow Wow is free.

The museum and the Mackinac Bands of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians are proud to present the first full Pow Wow to be held in Northeast Michigan, celebrating the thousands of years that the northern Lake Huron shoreline was home to bands of Native Americans. The Pow Wow will be held on the Lake Huron shore in Lakeside Park. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and join Indians from throughout Michigan and the Province of Ontario for an afternoon of drumming, dancing, singing, and storytelling.

The Pow Wow will begin at 1 p.m. with the arrival by canoe of a company of voyageurs.

Repower America

Repower America and the Mackinac Bands of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians ask that you contact Michigan Congressman Bart Stupak to vote in support of The American Clean Energy Security Act of 2009…ACES.

Just call his Washington D.C. office at 202-225-4735

The American Clean Energy and Security Act will create millions of new clean energy jobs that can’t be shipped overseas, save consumers hundreds of billions of dollars in energy costs, enhance America's energy independence, and cut global warming pollution. To meet these goals, the legislation has four titles: A clean energy title that promotes renewable sources of energy, carbon capture and sequestration technologies, low-carbon fuels, clean electric vehicles, and the
smart grid and electricity transmission; An energy efficiency title that increases energy efficiency across all sectors of the economy, including buildings, appliances, transportation, and industry; A global warming title that places limits on emissions of heat-trapping pollutants; and A transitioning title that protects U.S. consumers and industry and promotes green jobs during the transition to a clean energy economy.

From the Committee on Energy and Commerce

Call today. We only have a week to get the word out in order to get this bill passed. That number again is: 202-225-4735

The Mackinac Bands

We would like to announce the addition and talents of Cindy Leutz and Terry Weller who are available to assist potential members of the MB search their roots. Leutz has a long history of familiarity with the MB while Weller is also a grant writer. If you are seeking answers to your lineal descent they will be happy to assist you.
Call Cindy @ 577-822-0809






Call Cindy @ 577-822-0809