Ardith “Dodie” Harris
Died August 1, 2015
PESHAWBESTOWN – Ardith “Dodie” Elaine Harris,
67, of Peshawbestown, passed away Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015 at Tendercare of
Leelanau.
Dodie
was born on Nov. 3, 1947 in Traverse City, the daughter of Edward William and
Lucille Cecelia (Peshaba) Harris. She
graduated from the Allied Business College in Chicago in the ‘70’s and worked
at the Leelanau Co. Court House and Soc. Security office in Traverse City. Dodie was an employee of the Grand Traverse
Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians from 1980 to 2004. Dodie served as President of Leelanau Indians
Inc., a precursor of federal recognition of the Grand Traverse Band. She was the first Tribal Chairman and the
only woman to hold that position to date.
In 1980 Dodie began work with the GTB as the Tribal Planner.
In 1983 she was the Housing Coordinator and
Health & Safety Division manager.
May 1984 Director of Community Development; Sept. 1984 Director Housing
Dept.; 1986 Chairman of Tribe’s Housing Authority; Jan 1986 Food Distribution
Program Director; Oct. 1986 Community Fire Protection; Oct. 1987 H.I.P.; April
1988 Wildlife & Parks; May 1989 HUD Rehab; July 1990 Director of Grants and
Contracts; Jan. 1991 Parks & Wildlife Program Director; Dec. 1991
Purchasing Manager; Sept. 1992 Self Governance Director; Aug. 1993 Housing
Coordinator; Oct. 1994 Housing Director; Aug. 1996 Division Manager (Housing);
Oct. 1997 Planning & Development; April 1998 Planning & Development
Dept. Mgr.; she was elected to the Tribal Council of GTB May 2000. Truly her tenure was invaluable in the growth
of the Tribe and she served wherever her talents were needed. Dodie always said, “I was working for the people.”
Dodie
cared about everybody and was there to help anyone in need. She had a great sense of humor and loved
animals, especially dogs. Dodie had a
fantastic memory and was a keeper of Tribal History.
Dodie is
survived by her special “daughter”, Yolanda Chippewa; brother, Fred (Carolyn)
Harris; and sister, Geneva M. Pino; and many nieces and nephews.
She was
preceded in death by her parents; aunt and uncle, Russell and Ruby Thomas;
brother, Donald Harris; half-brother, Arthur Baldwin; and sister, Catherine
Yannott-Baldwin.
Private
services will be held.
Memorials may be directed to the Cherryland Humane Society, 1750 Ahlberg
Road, Traverse City, MI 49686.
Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services
of Leelanau.
To the friends and family of Dodie -- it was my personal privilege to have assisted Dodie and other GTB leaders in negotiating GTB's first Compact of Self-Governance and annual funding agreements with the IHS and BIA over two decades ago. Dodie's leadership was central to the Band's success in those negotiations. I will never forget her negotiation savvy, her subtle humor, and her loyalty to the Band's interests. She always reminded us of the personal sacrifice that she and many others had made to make possible the restoration of GTB's tribal recognition status. Dodie was a giant of a warrior for tribal sovereignty and the Band's interests. May her spirit take root in the coming generations. Thank you for giving me the privilege of knowing Dodie and working with her. Phil Baker-Shenk (D.C.).
ReplyDeleteAlong with her many friends, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Dodie. We worked together at Social Security years ago. I will always remember Dodie as being a kind and wonderful person. She was a legendary leader of the Band and her community. Dodie will be greatly missed by all in NW MI. Patti Donnelly
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