Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan

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Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan
Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan, Inc.
AbbreviationITCM
FormationApril 16, 1968;56 years ago (1968-04-16)
Founders Bay Mills Indian Community, Hannahville Indian Community, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe
Type Nonprofit
Location
Membership
12 Michigan tribes
Website itcmi.org

The Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan (ITCM) is a joint Tribal organization which represents the twelve federally recognized Native American tribes in the state of Michigan. It was organized as a 501(c)(3) organization in 1968 by four Michigan tribes [1] with the intention to pool resources and aid in negotiations with non-tribal government bodies. The organization has since incorporated the other eight federally recognized tribes in Michigan and provides programs to improve the health and welfare of Native Americans in Michigan. [2] [3]

Contents

Programs

The ITCM runs a variety of programs related to public health, tribal governance, and community resilience. These programs are often run in collaboration with other institutions such as universities [4] [5] and federal, state, and local governments.

Public health initiatives led by the ITCM have included healthy lifestyle programs, [6] trainings on adapting cancer survivorship material to Anishinaabe culture, [7] and programs to help youth quit smoking and vaping. [8] During the COVID-19 pandemic, the ITCM partnered with popular music group The Halluci Nation (formerly known as A Tribe Called Red) to produce public service announcements promoting vaccination; [9] they also set up mobile mammography vans to help women in tribal communities access breast cancer screening while the pandemic made normal health services more difficult to access. [10] In 2024 the ITCM released a mobile app called Gigiigoo'inaan ("Our Fish") which helps guide safe fishing and fish consumption in the Great Lakes. [5] [11]

Member Tribes

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. "Tribal Governments in Michigan". State of Michigan. State of Michigan. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  2. 1 2 "About Us". Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan. Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan, Inc. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  3. Prykucki, Bethany (12 December 2018). "Intertribal Council of Michigan: A great resource". MSU Extension Civic Engagement. Michigan State University. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  4. "Climate Adaptation Workshop and Extreme Precipitation Scenarios for Indigenous Tribes". GLISA. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  5. 1 2 "Anishinaabe Gigiigoo'inaan "Our Fish" App available". Intertribal Life. Indian Life Ministries. 12 September 2024. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  6. "A Fork in the Road - Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan's 4 x 4 Coalition". Michigan Health & Wellness. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  7. "ITC to adapt Cancer Survivorship Training materials to Anishinaabe culture". The Sault News. 7 August 2018. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  8. Fellows, Olivia (6 August 2024). "Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan launches free e-cigarette quit program for tribal young adults". 9 and 10 News. 910 Media Group. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  9. Willette, Mike. "Campaign: Encourage the uptake of the COVID vaccines among young adults across Michigan". Michigan Association of Broadcasters. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  10. "Tribal Program Increases Breast Cancer Screening Despite Pandemic". National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  11. Thompson, Carol (22 August 2024). "Michigan tribes launch smart phone app to help people eat safe Great Lakes fish". The Detroit News. Retrieved 19 September 2024.