ABOUT THE TRIBAL LAWSUIT

In the case of Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians v. Rick Snyder, Governor of the State of Michigan, filed in Federal Court in August, 2015, the Tribe seeks to enjoin permanently the State and all local units of government (counties, cities and townships) from exercising their inherent statutory, regulatory and administrative jurisdictional powers over the Tribe (and the members of the Tribe) within the boundaries of what the Tribe asserts is its reservation, an area that includes most of Emmet County and part of Charlevoix County. This claim is based on the Tribe’s misguided interpretation of the 1855 Treaty of Detroit.

The cities of Petoskey and Harbor Springs, the counties of Emmet and Charlevoix, and every township governmental unit within the boundaries of the suit have become parties defendant in this case. Emmet County Lakeshore Association (ECLA) and a group of concerned area businesses and citizens have formed The Protection of Rights Alliance (PORA) which has also been granted intervention in the suit (Intervention Order). Contributions to the citizens defense in this litigation should be made to The Protection of Rights Alliance Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization (address listed below).

If the Tribe is successful in this litigation, each and every one of our rights as residents, property owners, and businesses will be substantially impaired. PORA, through its retained attorneys and expert witnesses will aggressively defend our rights in this case.

Contribution towards funding the defense in the litigation may be made to:

The Protection of Rights Alliance Foundation
c/o Sara Smith, CPA
321 S. Spring Street
Harbor Springs, Michigan 49740