On Friday, September 14, the Native American Heritage Fund (NAHF) is awarding grants at FireKeepers Casino Hotel in Battle Creek. The fund was developed to help offset costs associated with projects promoting positive relationships and accurate information about the history and role of Michigan’s Indian tribes and Native Americans in the state. Funds are available to K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and local units of government.

The 2018 grants approved include:

• Belding Area Schools – Support the replacement of equipment, apparel, and signage following the revision of the school’s mascot
• City of Battle Creek – Assist with removal and replacement of a stained glad window medallion in City Hall
• City of Kalamazoo – Assist with the removal of the Fountain of Pioneers and site improvement at Bronson Park
• Bay de Noc Community College – The Living Circle of Life project
• Lake Superior State University – Education initiative to increase local tribal imagery on campus and implement cultural events
• Michigan Technological University – A partnership project with Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College to co-create curricula
• Suttons Bay Public Schools – Friendship Community Center/LIFT Teen Center to expand hours and create new programming for the only local afterschool program for sixth through 12^th grade youth, with 70% of demographic consisting of Native American students

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

Michigan Legislative Consultants is a bipartisan lobbying firm based in Lansing, Michigan. Our team of lobbyists and procurement specialists provide a wide range of services for some of the most respected companies in America. For more on MLC, visit www.mlcmi.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.