Youth - Mackinac Bands

Youth & Student Services

In 1976 the Michigan Legislature enacted Public Act 174, “an act to provide free tuition for North American Indians,” in public colleges and universities in the state.
To qualify, students must be not less than one-quarter Native American heritage as certified by the applicant’s tribal affiliation (Federal or State Historic Tribe). Also, the student must be a legal Michigan resident for not less than 12 consecutive months and must provide adequate proof of Michigan residency.

Caseworkers should provide children and their families who are affiliated with Canadian Indian and Michigan State Historic Tribes with notification (see DHS-121 and local Canadian contact referral; NAA 200), culturally appropriate services, and make active efforts to reunite these families.
According to confidentiality policy (see SRM 131 and DHS 1555- CS) and with permission of the client, appropriate officials from a family’s Canadian Indian or Michigan State Historic Tribe (social services director, tribal enrollment officer, tribal court, etc.) should be contacted and invited to participate in planning and facilitating any case conference or family team meeting that is held.