Honoring Michigan’s Native American Communities
November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to honor and celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Native American communities here in Michigan and across the country. Michigan is home to 12 federally recognized tribes that operate on sovereign land, from the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community in the northern part of the state to the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians in the south. Our Indigenous communities are vast and diverse and enrich our state in invaluable ways.
From raising awareness about the history of Indian boarding schools in our state to protecting tribal fishing areas, Senate Democrats have been working hard to tackle issues important to our state’s Native American communities.
Earlier this year, legislation to ensure that Michigan’s Foster Care Review Boards will work effectively with tribal governments to serve Native American children was signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Sponsored by Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor), Michigan’s only Native American State Senator, Senate Bill 498 takes a critical step towards repairing the harm done to tribal communities by the child welfare system and will keep children better connected to their communities and cultures.
And, just last month, the Senate Appropriations Commitee favorably passed House Bill 5600 on to the Senate floor, legislation that would establish the Office of Tribal Legislative Liaison to strengthen partnerships and communication between Michigan’s tribal communities and the state legislature.
Whether by cracking open a new book by a local Native American author or making plans to visit any of the four must-see Native American cultural sites in our state, we hope you’ll join us in honoring and uplifting Michigan’s resilient Indigenous communities who’ve been here for millennia and will continue to be an important part of our future.