Natural Resources

Home / Natural Resources

Grand Traverse Band

Natural Resources Department

3505 Putnam Road Peshawbestown, MI 49682

To protect and enhance the natural resources and environment entrusted to us by the Creator for managed and respected utilization by Anishinabek for past, present, and future generations.

2021 Natural Resources Department Presentation

ITCM App for Fish Eaters - The Anishinaabe Gigiigoo'inaan "Our Fish" App

SAULT STE. MARIE, MICHIGAN -- The Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan (ITCMI) in partnership with The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) has released the updated version of the Gigiigoo’inaan Application (App for iPhones, AndroidS, or similar Smart devices) to guide users in their fish-eating choices throughout the Great Lakes and Bemidji Region waterways.

Environmental exposures in the waterways such as PBT or Mercury can disturb human health. The Gigiigoo’inaan “Our Fish” App makes personalized recommendations for safe fish consumption based on the user's biological sex, weight, portion size, and the waterway where fish is coming from.

The input for the design and content of the app came from representatives from the 5 Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority (CORA) tribes; Bay Mills Indian Community, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

Features of the app support help users of all ages and life phases make informed choices regarding fish consumption by providing personalized recommendations for fish harvested from Lakes Huron, Michigan, Superior, Inland Lakes and even Store-bought Fish. The app includes details of the fish's habitat, behaviors and in some circumstances gaming regulations to support sustainable harvesting. The app also features simple and affordable fish recipes from the local regions. A significant and valued feature of the App is that it DOES NOT collect or store any personal data.

Fish are more than just a healthy food source for the Anishinaabe. Cherished fishing traditions are threatened by environmental risks. This work is significant because it addresses the need for effective fish consumption advice for the Anishinaabe whose tribal governments oversee treaty-related natural resource practices in Northern Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. This app is the result of a multi-year project aimed to develop culturally tailored advice to encourage consumption of low contaminated species of fish among Native American Anishinaabe peoples and waterways. However, this app supports safe fish consumption for people of all races.

The app was previously tested in Michigan tribal communities in 2019 and reviewed again in 2023/2023. It was observed that app users reported improved confidence, increased fish consumption and increased understanding of environmental health in response to the Gigiigoo'inaan “Our Fish” App. The Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan and the Medical College of Wisconsin are grateful for the input and support provided by the Anishinaabe people which makes this resource available for all.

Those looking for more information on the Gigiigoo’inaan “Our Fish” app https://www.itcmi.org/fishapp

Read More Here

2025 Black Lake Sturgeon Lottery Notification

Click Here for More Lottery Information!

2024 Elk Lottery

WINNERS

Tag:	Name:
Bull/Any Elk	Susan Emerson
Cow/Antlerless	Teresa Bailey
Cow/Antlerless	James Ptak Jr.
Cow/Antlerless	Merlin Shawnoskey
Cow/Antlerless	Christy Korson

FishPass NEWS

June-July 2024 update from the FishPass Team, CLICK HERE

Michigan Supreme Court Denies Leave to Appeal FishPass Case

On August 22, 2023, the Michigan Supreme Court denied leave to appeal in the FishPass case, which confirms the Court of Appeals decision and allows the City of Traverse City to implement the project. Read more below.

Nmé (Lake Sturgeon) Permit Lottery

GTB-NRD will be issuing one permit for the harvest of a Lake Sturgeon in Black Lake (Cheboygan/Presque Isle counties) via a lottery to be held at the January NREC meeting. The permit will be valid through December 31st, 2024.

To enter your name for the lottery simply call, email, or stop by the Natural Resources Department before January 10th at 5PM.

Phone: 231-534-7500 (Leave a message if no one answers)

Email: NRD@GTB-NSN.GOV

2023 Sturgeon Lottery WINNERS

NREC announced the winners of the Sturgeon lotto today, below are the winners.
The season goes all year ending on December 31st, 2023

Winner	Alternate #1	Alternate #2
Alan Massey	Calvin Kiogima	George McClellan Jr.

Renewal Stickers 2023-2024

All GTB Hunting, Fishing, Gathering & Trapping Licenses expire April 1^st

Please call or email the Natural Resources Department for your 2023/2024 renewal sticker.

Make sure your information is up to date, so you don't miss out on any of your Treaty Rights information and opportunities.

Note: We do not have a shared database with Membership so information will need to be changed with us as well.

Immediate Ban on Deer Baiting, Feeding, and Attractants (Current for 2023)

Due to the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) into the 1836 treaty ceded territory, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Tribal Council, upon the recommendation of the Natural Resources and Environmental Committee and the Natural Resources Department, has issued an immediate ban on the use of baiting, feeding, or other chemical attractants for deer. Information on CWD can be found at www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases. Questions or concerns should be directed to the Natural Resources Department in person, or by telephone at 231-534-7500.

The Ottaway - A River Reborn

A Documentary Film featuring the Boardman Restoration Project and members of the Grand Traverse Band.

Click the Image above or the link below to view.

For Website go to- http://intotheoutdoors.org/topics/the-ottaway-a-river-reborn/

The Boardman Ottaway River Fish Passage Resolution

GTB 6 County Service Area Household Hazardous Waste Collection 2024

Benzie County- All Household Hazardous Waste collection events take place Saturday from 9:00am -1:00pm. Please call (231) 882- 0554 or visit the Benzie County HHW website for more information.
June 8th - Frankfort High School
August 24th - Honor Road Commission

Charlevoix County- Registration Required. Call in advance as detailed instructions (including locations) will be sent out to pre-registered residents 2 weeks prior to collection day. To pre-register and get more information please call (231) 547-0080 or visit the Charlevoix County HHW website.
June 7-8th - Location TBD
Sept 6-7th - Location TBD

Grand Traverse County- Appointments are required. To Register or get more information please call (231) 941-5555 or visit the Grand Traverse County HHW website.
April 11th - Location TBD 1pm - 6pm
May 16th - Location TBD 1pm - 6pm
June 20th - Location TBD 12pm - 6pm
August 8th - Location TBD 12pm - 6pm
Sept 14th - Location TBD 9am - 2pm

Leelanau County- Appointment needed in advance. To schedule an appointment or to see a list of accepted materials, please contact Leelanau County Planning and Community Development at (231) 256-9812 or visit the Leelanau County HHW website.
May 18th - Leelanau County Government Center
June 22nd - Glen Lake School
September 23rd - Peshawbestown, Parking lot across from Leelanau Sands Casino
October 12th - Elmwood Township Park

Manistee County- For more information please visit the Manistee County HHW website.
August 17th - Manistee County Road Commission

Acceptable collection items vary county to county. To ensure your HHW items are eligible please read the full list of accepted items on your county’s website or call for info.