Research has revealed that the heart is not merely a simple pump but rather a highly complex information-processing center. The heart continuously communicates with the brain and body via the nervous system, hormonal system, and other pathways.

“We’re bringing back the old ways,” said NHBP Culture Specialist and Tribal Member Kevin Harris II. “We are trying to walk ‘the Red Road’ (to Wellbreity) to Mno Bmadzewen, and the New Year’s Eve Sobriety Pow Wow is one of many events that helps us do that.”

Congratulations to the 32 Team Members who are honored for their milestone work anniversaries with NHBP in 2022.

“Food Sovereignty is completely about community, it brings community together, without food sovereignty we are reliant upon other people,” said Chef Jody Gzhadawsot Mattena, Member of the Citizen Band Potawatomi and NHBP Lifeways Consultant.

“I see your dreams, you have got powerful dreams, but they are locked up inside!” said Mills. “Nothing has the same power as the dreams I see in our young Native American men and women. We need you. We need your dreams, so powerful!”

“The auction is the highlight of the MIEA (Michigan Indian Elders Association) conference,” said NHBP Language Associate Jenniffer Wethington, whose handmade Ribbon Skirt was sold at auction for an astounding $340 during the four-day-long event in October 2022.

Food sovereignty can “be described as the ability of communities to determine the quantity and quality of the food that they consume by controlling how their food is produced and distributed,” according to the Bureau of Indian Affairs.  

“In state government, because we fund a program, people might think that we have all the answers, but we’re really trying to flip that; so we in government can ask the right questions and let those experts who are doing the work answer these questions… but that’s going to take us a little while because it’s a big shift,” said Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Elizabeth Hertel to NHBP leaders and DHHS staff during a half-day tour of the Pine Creek Indian Reservation on Aug. 11.

The Native American Heritage Fund awarded $478,700 to the 2022 grant recipients at FireKeepers Casino Hotel today, bringing their total contribution to $2,390,400 to 37 of Michigan’s K-12 schools, colleges, universities and local units of government.

A self-taught artist and teacher of traditional ways, NHBP Tribal Member AnungoKwé Alexandria Sulainis, 32, of Lac de Flambeau, Wisconsin, always knew she wanted to do something artistic. Sulainis trained as a licensed cosmetologist, but she felt compelled to do something that more directly tied her to her Culture and heritage as Neshnabé.

When Penobscot Elder and Army Veteran Charles Shay was drafted into the Armed Services in 1943 as a combat medic, he was doing his duty to his country – despite being denied fundamental rights. At just 19, Shay, like many other Native Americans at the time, did not have the right to vote in his family’s home state of Maine.

“To be active in harvesting Rice, it takes the community, it takes a Tribe to do this. That is what food sovereignty is – to sovereign for yourself and for the Tribe.”

“My coping mechanisms no longer served a purpose,” said NHBP Tribal Member Thomas Foerster, 55. “Growing up in foster homes, there were so many things I never learned as a kid. The stuff I did learn, like hypervigilance, caused me to start using alcohol and drugs as a way to deal.”

To gather is “to bring together and take in from scattered places or sources.” This year, Potawatomi Nations gathered for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic hosted by the Hannahville Indian Community at their Reservation and the Island Casino Hotel and Resort in the Upper Peninsula.

After a long period of social isolation due to COVID-19, NHBP Tribal youth are once again participating in the international empowerment program Girls on the Run.

He is troweling through, centimeter by centimeter, searching, looking, examining the ground for any artifact that may reveal historical context about those who came before us—hour after hour, day by day.

“If you’re not ready, don’t waste your time,” advises NHBP Tribal Member Shontell Murkerson, 42, who was more than ready in the fall of 2021 to get healthy.

This past weekend, NHBP Tribal Council Secretary Nancy Smit spoke to Battle Creek area history buffs about the Tribe’s history. On a lovely Saturday afternoon, 20 to 25 curious minds sat in the Battle Creek Regional History Museum’s presentation room to listen to Smit share the story of NHBP.

While only expecting about 40 respondents to the “At Home Container Gardening Project” survey, Keith instead received responses from nearly 120 households in April 2022, all expressing their interest in growing their own food in their backyards, decks or apartments. This project was funded through the three-year-funded Food Sovereignty grant, which concludes in September 2022

American flags and golf balls were flying throughout the course on June 4 for the annual Chief Moguago Veterans Golf Outing. Players were relieved to see another year that COVID-19 did not interrupt their festivities at Binder Park Golf Course. The skill level and scores were not measured amongst the civilians and Vets. The primary goal that day was to be a part of something bigger than a round of golf: to support and bring aid to those who served our country.

It’s no secret that Native Americans have passed along their beliefs and traditions from generation to generation to continue their culture, ways of life, and survival. They continue to use this Traditional Ecological Knowledge to adapt to the world’s changing climate.

As the Native American Heritage Fund moves into another year of providing grants that matter, NHBP is reflecting on the many purposeful, permanent gains made in the first five years of the fund’s existence.

“It wasn’t even a matter of believing in myself, it was just a matter of, ‘I gave my word, so now I am going to follow through and see where this takes me,’” NHBP Tribal Member Lynn TenBrink said. TenBrink’s word took her on a two-day 152-mile ride on a brand-new bicycle all the way from Lake Michigan to Lake Huron.

Many things change throughout our life span – our mobility, independence, health and nutrition needs. Many people notice changes in their food preferences, appetite and more as they get older.

It was a beautiful morning on Saturday, June 4, when the name of the newly completed park in Albion, Michigan, was unveiled. Calhoun County Parks partnered with the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi to name the park. Tribal Council Secretary Nancy Smit was in attendance to represent the Tribe on this special day.

“Of all the phases of housing development, this has to be my favorite,” said Tribal Council Vice Chairperson Dorie Rios. “This Phase VIII development is being dedicated to two beloved Elders who have since walked on. They were so instrumental in the history of NHBP housing. These two individuals fought, tirelessly, for decades, making it their mission to get safe housing for all of our Members.”

NHBP Tribal Member Jessi Goldner was named as one of 40 under 40 award recipients by The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development for her continuous leadership and her role as Director of Compliance for Waséyabek Development Company, LLC.

“Helping the Alaskan Natives understand that their traditional foods are the healthiest and best for them is such a high calling for me,” said NHBP Tribal Member Jessilyn Dunegan, MS, RD, CSP, LD, CNSC. “Their traditional ways with food help move their culture forward.” 

Many people have a common question: “What is normal eating?” The short answer to that question is that there is no such thing as “normal” eating because every person is unique and has their own genetics, food preferences, medical needs and relationship with food.

“Creator, I would like to thank you for this day; thank you for all the hearts that are here and all the hearts that are represented, that are missing, that are lost and just waiting to be found. We acknowledge them today,” Smit said before stepping off the stage to make space for a water ceremony.

“Don’t wait until you are in crisis; you’re not a failure if you need help,” Marton said. “Sometimes, you just need a booster in life.”

“We were worried about participation for Flapjack Friday, but the event blew away all of our expectations,” Keith said. “We didn’t want to take away from the traditional events, but I think we complemented it with the activities, education and giveaways.”

“My heartstrings were being pulled; I just knew we had to do something to help them, and how can we share our culture?” said NHBP Tribal Council Vice Chairperson Dorie Rios.

“It is important for Michiganders to understand that Tribes are still here,” Stuck said. “Native Americans are not relics of the past. We have rich cultures and histories that have contributed much over the years.”

“I feel honored that I was able to represent our NHBP Nation,” Foerster said. “It reassured me that going into the military was not a mistake, and I would encourage any of our young Tribal Members to consider the military service.”

“That could
potentially be a project for the Tribe where The Reservation could have its own
fish farm, its own fish pond where we grow, on a much larger scale, with fish
like tilapia. Then once the fish have finished fertilizing the plants and the plants
are grown, we can have a fish harvest for the Members to have regular fresh
fish in their diet.”

“For me, food is at the center of what we do; I see it correlate to everything,” Keith said. “Food sovereignty is getting back to our old ways of doing things, bringing us back together.”

“I hope that, especially from the Historical Trauma session, that participants have a better understanding of where we started and how far we’ve come. I hope they have a sense of pride for FireKeepers and NHBP in general. That’s the main takeaway.”

“What would have happened if she were Native?”
As a longtime advocate for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, NHBP Tribal Council Secretary Nancy Smit couldn’t help but reflect on the frenzied media attention and persistent search efforts in the tragic Gabby Petito case comparative to the thousands of unsolved MMIW cases across the United States.

October 10 marked the annual World Mental Health Day. As many of us have seen throughout the past 18 months of COVID calamity, a healthy mind is key to navigating challenges and unforeseen circumstances.