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Community Health Representative Program

"Empowering Our Community Through Health Services"

At the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, our Community Health Representative (CHR) program is dedicated to promoting healthy living and restoring traditional dietary practices in our community. Our mission is to provide education, resources, and support to enhance the overall well-being of our members while preserving the confidentiality and dignity of each individual we serve.

OUR VISION

  • Quality Health Services: The CHR program is committed to delivering quality health and prevention outreach services to our Tribal Membership.

  • Advocacy and Representation: We act as advocates for our members, representing the Grand Traverse Band as ambassadors in surrounding communities and events. 

  • Community Engagement: Our program encourages active participation in cultural activities that celebrate our heritage and improve health outcomes. 

  • Education and Resources: We provide essential information about traditional dietary patterns, including the benefits of foods like wild rice and other indigenous staples. 

OUR GOALS

  • Improve health and human service care management for patients and communities

  • Improve the prevention and management of health conditions

  • Monitor program processes and outcomes at the CHR, patient, community, health, and social system levels

KEY INITIATIVES

  • Liaison Role: CHRs maintain close, regular contact with our membership, serving as liaisons within the tribal structure and the wider community. 

  • Collaborative Activities: We coordinate with various departments, including the Elders Department and Youth Programs, to facilitate engagement in health-focused events such as diabetic foot clinics, annual health fairs, flu clinics, and transportation assistance for medical appointments. 

  • Food Education: Resources and information on preparing traditional foods emphasizing their nutritional value and cultural importance. 

GET INVOLVED! 

Join us in our mission to live a healthy life the traditional way. 

 

For more information or to participate in our programs, contact your local CHR. 

 CHR Brochure Click Here

MEET YOUR COMMUNITY HEALTH REPRESENTITIVES

TAMRA NEWTON

SUB-DEPARTMENT SUPERVISOR & CHR

RANEE COMPO

CHR

SERVICING BENZIE & MANISTEE COUNTIES

SERVICING GRAND TRAVERSE & ANTRIM COUNTIES
CONTACT INFORMATION

OFFICE PHONE# (231) 534-7205

CELL PHONE# (231) 866-1120

FAX# (231) 534-7152

EMAIL: Tamra.Newton@gtb-nsn.gov
CONTACT INFORMATION

OFFICE PHONE# (231) 534-7772

CELL# (231) 631-8430

FAX# (231) 534-7773

EMAIL: Ranee.Compo@gtb-nsn.gov

 

 

 

 

 

VIRGINIA FIELDS

CHR

AMANDA MCSAUBY JONES

CHR

SERVICING CHARLEVOIX COUNTY

SERVICING LEELANAU COUNTY
CONTACT INFORMATION

OFFICE PHONE# (231) 534-7062

CELL PHONE# (231) 463-7564

FAX# (231) 534-7148

EMAIL: Virginia.Fields@gtb-nsn.gov
CONTACT INFORMATION

OFFICE PHONE# (231) 534-7202

CELL PHONE# (231) 492-8212

FAX# (231) 534-7460

EMAIL: Amanda.Mcsauby@gtb-nsn.gov

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RECIPE ROUNDUP!

SHARE YOUR RECIPES 

 

“Legends and Flavors: Culinary Traditions of our Ancestors”

A Native American Traditional Recipe Book

 The Community Health Representatives (CHR) Sub-Department is in the process of developing a Native American Traditional Recipe Book!

The recipe book will feature a collection that highlights Native American traditional recipes and the stories behind them. Submitters aren’t required to be tribal members of the Grand Traverse Band. We recognize that not all individuals with GTB descendant backgrounds are enrolled members of the Grand Traverse Band, yet they often possess valuable cultural connections and ancestral ties. By including recipes and stories from these individuals, we honor the diverse heritage within our community. It’s important that we recognize that cultural identity extends beyond formal membership, allowing us to celebrate and preserve the traditions that bind us together.

Stop by any of the satellite offices to pick up your Recipe Submission Form today or simply click the link and fill it out online!

RECIPE SUBMISSION DETAILS

  • Deadline for Submissions: February 12th, 2026
  • All submitted forms will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win one of three prizes: Beaded Earrings, Beaded Keychain or Beaded Pin, made by a local artist from the Grand Traverse Band. There will be (3) Three WINNERS!

WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT

  • February 13th, 2026 
  • CHR Supervisor will contact the winner and arrange a time to meet for pick-up or delivery within the 6-county service area and a photo for the GTB Newsletter!

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

  • Fill out the submission form completely
  • Share your favorite family traditional recipes along with a brief background story of the recipe on the submission form
  • Drop the submission form off to your local satellite office to be submitted to the CHR Department or email it yourself and VOILA! You are entered into the drawing!

                Encourage family and community members to contribute their culinary traditions!

CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION OR IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS:

Tamra Newton at (231) 534-7205 Email: Tamra.Newton@gtb-nsn.gov or

Amanda McSauby Jones at (231) 534-7202 Email: Amanda.Mcsauby@gtb-nsn.gov

 

JOIN US IN PRESERVING OUR CULINARY TRADITIONS AND CREATING A RESOURCE FOR OUR COMMUNITY THAT WILL BE CHERISHED FOR GENERATIONS TO COME!

CHI-MIIGWETCH!

 CLICK HERE for the Recipe Book Flyer