The Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan (ITCMI) released its FY2025 Annual Report on August 10, 2026, and it reported that the federal government revoked more than $23 million in EPA grant funding, creating “substantial obstacles” for Tribal communities and programs across Michigan.

$20 million of the lost funding was part of an EPA Community Change Grant awarded to ITCMI in partnership with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians for “Making Michigan Tribal Homes & Buildings Efficient, Healthy, and Resilient.” The project planned to work with six Michigan Tribes to retrofit and electrify at least 300 Tribal homes and convert twelve Tribal government buildings into community resilience hubs. Funding would also have supported roof and electrical repairs, insulation and ventilation improvements, electric appliances, indoor-air-quality equipment, and Tribal staff responsible for overseeing the work.

Another $3 million of the lost funding was part of an EPA Community Change Grant awarded to ITCMI in partnership with the Bay Mills Indian Community for “Michigan Tribal and State Manoomin/Mnoomin/Mnomen Stewardship.” Developed with Michigan’s twelve federally recognized Tribes, ITCMI, the State of Michigan EGLE, and the University of Michigan Water Center, the project would have supported implementation of the Tribal-State Manoomin Stewardship Plan. It specifically contemplated participation by Tribal elders, traditional ricers, and knowledge keepers in the Michigan Wild Rice Initiative and supported their participation in stewardship and decision-making.

Together, these two awards account for $23 million, although ITCMI’s reference to more than $23 million in its Annual Report indicates that its total revoked EPA funding may extend beyond these two grants.

ITCMI Lawsuit Update

ITCMI is now one of the plaintiffs challenging EPA’s termination of the Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant program in Appalachian Voices v. EPA. In court filings, ITCMI warned that the experience could deepen distrust of the federal government and make Tribes more hesitant to partner with ITCMI in future federally funded projects.

The litigation remains active. A federal district court dismissed the case in August 2025, but on July 21, 2026, the D.C. Circuit vacated that dismissal and returned the case to the district court. The case therefore continues while Michigan Tribal communities remain without funding that had been awarded for housing and manoomin stewardship.

Appalachian Voices v. EPA

Complaint

Plaintiffs’ Memo in Support of Motion for Prelim Injunction

District Court Opinion

Appeal

Appellants’ Opening Brief

Decision of the Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit