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Cultural A Historic Preservation/ NAGPRADepartment
Mission Statement and Purpose
The burial sites of our Ancestors have been disturbed. Some in the name of 'study and research' and some for profit. Either way, some of our People consider it to be 'desecration'. The remains of those post generations are now being held 'prisoner' or, to put it in a milder sense, are in the possession of a large number of colleges, museums and other historical or religious institutions. These establishments are all across the United States and even in some foreign countries. The burial, sacred, and cultural possessions of those seven generations are also in some of these institutions. The NAGPRA element of this department shall establish and maintain open lines of communication with the institutions that have in their possession; human remains, burial objects, sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony that are of Waganakising Odawa origin. With the retrieval of the Odawa remains being the primary, all of the above mentioned are retrievable and that is the focus NAGPRA element of the Cultural and Historic Preservation Department.
The cultural and historical foundations of the long past Odawa People can and will be preserved. They can be utilized as a living part of the present day Odawa People of the Waganakising area. The preservation of this irreplaceable heritage is in the interest of a large part of the Waganakising Odawa community so that it's vital legacy of linguistic, spiritual, cultural, educational and inspirational benefits will be maintained and nurtured for fhe next seven generations of Odawak. These benefits are a legacy to us from the seven generations before us. The Cultural and Historic Preservation part of this department is here to help re-establish and encourage the utilization of this Legacy of Traditions and Beliefs, to use them as often as we can and with the utmost respect. These "GIFTS" are many, each of us carries a piece of our ancestry in some form or another. Sharing these gifts, we can become a "Total People" again.
These are the visions of the Cultural and Historic Preservation/NAGPRA Departments of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians.
Cultural Preservation Coordinator: Leonard 'Joe' Mitchell
Location: 7500 Odawa Circle, Harbor Springs, MI 49740
Program Contact Number: (231) 242-1451
E-mail Address:jmitchell@tbbodawa.org
