The Michigan Native American Heritage Fund (NAHF) was created as part of the Second Amendment, approved in 2016, to the 1988 Tribal-State Gaming Compact between the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) and the State of Michigan. The NAHF is a public body politic established by an Interlocal Agreement pursuant to the Urban Cooperation Act of 1967 and in accordance with the Compact. Up to $500,000 per year from NHBP’s state revenue sharing payments go into the new Fund, which is dedicated to promoting understanding, history and good relationships with the State’s Native Americans. The funds will be distributed in the form of grants to schools, colleges and universities, and local governments to assist with initiatives to improve curricula and resources related to Native American issues, and mascot or imagery revisions, ideally in collaboration with Michigan’s Federally recognized Indian Tribes.
Native American Heritage Fund

About NAHF

A Second Amendment was made in 2016 to the Tribal-State Gaming Compact between NHBP and the state of Michigan that allows for the creation of a Native American Heritage Fund (NAHF).

The amendment allows for a portion of each year’s state revenue sharing payment to be deposited into the NAHF. Beginning with the 2016 fiscal period, $500,000 was deposited into the NAHF. For each fiscal period moving forward, funds will be deposited into the NAHF to replace the amount used during the previous fiscal period and thus restore the balance of $500,000.

The fund’s goal is to promote positive relationships between public and private K-12 grade schools, colleges, universities, local units of government and Michigan’s federally recognized Native American Tribes.

The purpose of the NAHF is to provide resources to improve curricula and educational resources related to Michigan Indian history, as well as to fund initiatives that promote mutual respect and cooperation between local communities and Michigan’s federally recognized Tribes. The funds may also be used to replace or revise mascots and imagery that may be deemed offensive to Native Americans or may convey inaccurate representations of Native American culture and values.

Distribution of funds will be determined by the NAHF Board which will consist of two members appointed by the governor of Michigan, two members appointed by the NHBP Tribal Council and the Director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, or his or her designee.