09/07/2026
✨🪶HONORING LEGACY & SOVEREIGNTY!🪶✨
Today, September 7th, is Doris and Lewis Adams Day across our LTBB Tribal Nation!
Doris Amelia Kishigo Adams was born Aug. 8, 1925, in Petoskey, the daughter of Mitchell and Amelia (Samuels) Kishigo. She graduated from Harbor Springs High School and then attended the University of Michigan. She completed her education at Western Michigan University, graduating at age 56 with a degree in business.
She worked more than 30 years for the State of Michigan Department of Labor. Doris also served as an equal employment opportunity specialist for the state and was a civil rights representative for nine Lower Peninsula counties and the entire Upper Peninsula.
She also served on the Michigan Commission on Indian Affairs for several years. She was honored by the U.S. Congress for her lifelong commitment to public service at the time of her retirement.
She was a very active member of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians government, where she served as a tribal appellate judge and served on several committees.
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Lewis Stephen Adams, Sr. was a graduate of Petoskey High School and a veteran of World War II, serving with the U. S. Marines at Kwaijelain, Tarawa and Iwo Jima, and other campaigns in the Southwest Pacific Theater.
Following the War, he was employed by the City of Detroit for six years in the maintenance division. He then moved to Harbor Springs in 1960 and was employed by J. R. Davis Enterprises of Birmingham and supervised maintenance at The Colonial Inn, Harbor Springs, Michigan.
He was a charter member and past president of the North American Indian Club, Detroit; a member and Commander for five years of Amvets Post 50, Detroit; a member of the Marine Corps League of Michigan and a member of Smith-Hoover American Legion Post 281 of Harbor Springs.
He was a member and past officer of Unit One of the Northern Michigan Ottawa Association and a founding member of the Little Traverse Indian Club of Harbor Springs.
In 1937, he received national publicity for Petoskey, Michigan when he won the National Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio in full traditional regalia. He also later went on to win local notoriety as a Golden Gloves Boxer.
Mr. Adams also organized toy collection repairs and delivery for the Indian Orphanage in Marquette, Michigan and was a friend of Ira Hayes; he also helped organize the last Hiawatha Pageant in Ottawa Stadium in Harbor Springs, MI.
Lewis’s reputation as a community leader prompted a request from Governor Williams of Michigan for a Traditional Blessing and Ceremony for the Mackinaw Bridge that was rapidly nearing completion. In 1955, Mr. Lewis, Sr. stood atop the Mackinaw Bridge’s south main tower during its building phase, performing a traditional ceremony to seek the protection of G’chi-Manido.
The Lewis and Doris Adams’ Tribal Holiday Statute, Waganakising Odawak Statute (WOS) 2009-022 (codified under Title VI, Chapter 7 of the LTBB Tribal Code), was formally enacted by the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Tribal Council on August 23, 2009. The statute designates the first Monday in September (coinciding with federal Labor Day) as the official tribal holiday in honor of Lewis and Doris Adams.
Waganaking Odawak Statute 2009-022 was established to honor Doris and Lewis Adams for their enduring dedication, leadership, and lifelong contributions to both the Waganakising Odawak and Michigan communities that were positively impacted by their generosity and leadership.
Chi-miigwech to our past Tribal Council for passing this statute and honoring the elders and leaders who helped pave the way for our Nation!
