The Native American Heritage Fund (NAHF) is excited to announce the 2018 NAHF Check Distribution took place Friday, Sept. 14, at FireKeepers Casino Hotel in Battle Creek, Michigan.
The 2018 grants distributed include:
- Belding Area Schools – $334,690.60 to support the replacement of equipment, apparel and signage following the revision of the school’s mascot from Redskins to Black Knights.
- City of Battle Creek – $3,377.50 to assist with removal and replacement of a stained glass window medallion in City Hall.
- City of Kalamazoo – $76,765 to assist with the removal of the Fountain of Pioneers and site improvements at Bronson Park.
- Bay de Noc Community College in Escanaba – $2,013 for The Living Circle of Life project.
- Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie – $10,000 for an education initiative to increase local tribal imagery on campus and implement cultural events.
- Michigan Technological University in Houghton – $30,488 for a partnership project with Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College to co-create curricula.
- Suttons Bay Public Schools – $12,500 to the Friendship Community Center/LIFT Teen Center to expand hours and create new programming for the only local afterschool program for sixth through 12th grade youth, with 70 percent demographic consisting of Native American students.
Businesses, community organizations and community members alike united as one for this special ceremony. The NAHF continues to be a unique funding initiative that supports and promotes positive relationships and accurate information about the history and role of Michigan’s Indian tribes and Native Americans in the state.
“The NAHF Board of Directors are proud to announce that seven different organizations were able to receive assistance from the Native American Heritage Fund,” said NHBP Tribal Council Vice Chairperson Dorie Rios, who also serves as the Vice Chairperson of the NAHF Board. “NHBP is humbled so many applicants applied and we consider it an honor to be able to lead the way with this initiative and offer funding to those in need. We look forward to seeing how this assistance will generate understanding, kindness and acceptance about the native culture and history of Michigan’s 12 federally recognized tribes.”
The NAHF Board is composed of: Chairperson: Jamie Stuck (NHBP Tribal Council Chairperson); Vice Chairperson: Dorie Rios (NHBP Tribal Council Vice Chairperson); Secretary Elizabeth Kinnart (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Citizen); Treasurer: Melissa Kiesewetter (Michigan Dept. of Civil Rights Tribal Liaison/Native American Specialist); Board Member: Kimberly Vargo (Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Vice Chairperson).
