Tribal Observer Issue: February 1, 2004
A $50,000 one-year grant has been awarded to the Michigan Inter-Tribal Council by the Avon Foundation Breast
Care Fund to increase awareness of the lifesaving benefits of early detection of breast cancer. It is the fourth year that the program has received Avon Foundation funding to support its work on this health issue.
As many of you know the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan is nearing the completion of the new Ziibiwing Center. The center will be a focal point in the community as both an educational facility and a destination point for area visitors.
The story of the Saginaw Chippewa will be told through the arts. We have just commissioned Native artist, Richard Bedwash to portray the teachings of the “Seven Grandfathers.”
Local International Student Exchange representative is currently seeking families to host one or two foreign exchange students from over 45 countries around the world.
The students are between 15 and 18 years of age, and will be attending Mount Pleasant High School during the 2004-2005 school year.
A recent conference on the White Earth Reservation in northern Minnesota gave several representatives from the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan food for thought.
Mawadisidiwag Ji-Nitaa Gitigaaniwaad (They Are Gathering in Order to Farm Better) was the title of the Indigenous agriculture conference sponsored by Winona LaDuke’s White Earth Land Recovery Program which took place Jan. 10-12 near Richwood, Minn.
District 1 voters will have 22 candidates to choose from during the Feb. 10 special election. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Saginaw Chippewa Public Safety
Building.
(Editor’s note: Saginaw Chippewa Chief Audrey Falcon delivered the following State of the Tribe address at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort during the Jan. 18 community meeting.)