FUNDS AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT PROJECTS THAT PROMOTE POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH MICHIGAN’S INDIAN TRIBES

Stereotypes. Negative narratives. Historical inaccuracy. Invisibility. These are a constant in the lives of Michigan’s Native American population – but The Native American Heritage Fund is working to change that.

The NAHF envisions a future where Michigan’s Native American culture and heritage is celebrated, not hidden away in history. With this in mind, the NAHF is proud to announce funding is now available for public and private K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and local units of government to defray the costs of projects that promote positive relationships and accurate information about the history and role of Michigan’s Indian tribes and Native Americans in the state.

“We are excited to announce the 2021 grant cycle for the Native American Heritage Fund,” said NAHF Board Chairperson Jamie Stuck, who also serves as the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Tribal Council Chairperson. “Michigan is home to 12 federally-recognized tribes, each with their own diverse community, history, government, and cultural practices. We owe it to them to continue to educate our fellow Michiganders, and promote the inclusion of Native Americans within our home state. Past grant recipients have shown how impactful the fund can be, and we look forward to another year of continued progress for the tribal community.”

The NAHF, which was approved in 2016 as part of the Second Amendment to the Tribal-State Gaming Compact between NHBP and the state of Michigan, allocates a portion of NHBP’s annual state revenue sharing payment to the fund. Since its inception, the NAHF has distributed more than $1.4 million dedicated to promoting Michigan’s Native history, cultural understanding and positive relationships with the state’s nearly 100,000 Native Americans.[1]

Projects eligible for funding may include events, art projects and/or language classes that encourage inclusivity between Native Americans and Michiganders, as well as changing or revising curricula, improving program development, replacing or revising government seals or images in public spaces, and replacing or revising mascots or imagery that might be considered offensive to Native Americans.

Applications are now available on the NAHF website at https://nahfund.com/application/ and are due to the NAHF Board by Friday, June 11, at 5 p.m. Please submit applications online, via mail to Calhoun County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott at 315 West Green Street, Marshall, MI 49068 or via email to kdscott@calhouncountymi.gov.

For media inquiries or to request an interview with NAHF Board Chairperson Jamie Stuck, please contact NHBP Director of Communications and Public Relations Judi Henckel at 269.704.8361 or judith.henckel@nhbp-nsn.gov.

For questions regarding the 2021 NAHF application process, please contact Calhoun County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott at 269.841.6853.

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About The Native American Heritage Fund

The NAHF was established in 2016 as part of the Second Amendment to the Tribal-State Gaming Compact between the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) and the State of Michigan. The amendment allowed for a portion of NHBP’s annual state revenue sharing payment to be deposited into the NAHF.

The fund serves to promote positive relationships between public and private K-12 schools, colleges, universities, local units of government and Michigan’s federally recognized Native American Tribes. The NAHF provides resources to help improve curricula and educational resources related to Michigan Indian history, as well as to replace or revise mascots and imagery that may be deemed as offensive to or inaccurately conveying the culture and values of Native Americans.

For more information visit: nahfund.com.  

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[1] US Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2009–2013. American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table BO2005 American Indian and Alaska Native alone for selected tribal groupingsexternal icon; generated using American FactFinder. Accessed March 16, 2021.