We’ll welcome Eric Hemenway with a presentation called “A Look At Indian Country in the 21st Century. A discussion on current issues within tribal communities, ranging from cultural appropriation to Indian law.” Eric Hemenway is an Anishnaabe/Odawa from Cross Village, Michigan. The program is free and open to the public.

Eric is the Director of Repatriation, Archives and Records for the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. Eric oversees the management, collecting and preservation of historic documents and materials for the tribe. These materials are used to support LTBB government functions, its citizens and educational initiatives, such as; museum exhibits, media, curriculum, publications, historical interpretation, signage, web content and presentations. Collaborations on exhibits have included the National Park Service, state of Michigan, Mackinac State Historic Parks, Emmet County, Welt Museum Wien Vienna, Austria and the Harbor Springs History Museum, as well as other museums. Educational partnerships include: Harbor Springs Public Schools, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Harvard, Yale and Aquinas College.

Eric has also extensive work experience under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. He currently sits on boards for the Michigan Historical Commission and Little Traverse Conservancy. Eric is a former board member of the Michigan Humanities Council, Michigan Historical Society, Emmet County Historical Commission, National NAGRPA Review Committee, Harbor Springs Historical Museum and the Michigan Commission on the Commemoration of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812.