Remembering Holly T. Bird
The Title Track family joins the mighty chorus of love and gratitude honoring our dear friend and colleague, Holly T. Bird. Since her sudden transition to ancestorhood last week, it has been deeply moving to witness how brightly her spirit and legacy shine through the love shared around the sacred fire and the beautiful tributes that have poured in from the many people and organizations who were inspired by Holly. We know that Holly would be so pleased to see the strength of her community and the many actions taken and commitments made following Holly’s example of living a life full of love and care for one another and the planet.
All of our love continues to go out to her family as we grieve this tremendous loss.
Our hearts are tender and our emotions raw as we slowly try to make sense of this new reality. Though her absence leaves an irreplaceable void, the memories she created and the love she shared will forever remain in our hearts.
A celebration of Holly’s life will take place on Sunday, May 18th at 1 pm at Milliken Auditorium located at 1701 East Front Street, Traverse City.
It was Holly’s wish, in leiu of flowers, that contributions be made in her honor to three beloved organizations in which she invested so much of her time, energy, and love. All memorial donations received will be split equally between the Grand Traverse Area Children’s Garden, Northern Michigan E3, and Title Track. Learn more here.
Holly T. Bird was a founding board member of Title Track, bringing a joyful optimism, contagious dedication, and a fearless love to our work engaging creative practice in the pursuit of racial equity, clean water, and youth empowerment. She brought tremendous experience as a Water Protector, activist, lawyer, and judge having served in roles such as Executive Director for the MI Water Protectors Legal Task Force and as Civil Ground Coordinator for the Water Protectors Legal Collective, the leading legal service at the NoDAPL camp/protest in support of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Her commitments to the water, social justice, women and child safety, and to her beloved Indigenous community were steadfast whether she was tirelessly working behind the scenes or out front inspiring a crowd with a megaphone in hand.
She moved into the role of Co-Executive Director in June of 2020 where she continued to weave her passion for our mission and commitment to building beloved community into all of our programming. She provided counsel and curriculum support as we launched Understanding Racial Justice (URJ) in the summer of 2020 in the wake of George Floyd’s murder; responding to the need for racial justice education for white people. She continued to support this program through the years as a frequent guest storyteller as well as a public advocate, often being heard saying “let’s URJ the world!”
She helped create, direct, and facilitate our Water Protector’s Training Camp program, providing young people an opportunity to learn about Indigenous concepts of water while connecting with professional artists and activists to create music, creative writing, and art. Holly recently shared, “I love watching how our youth naturally understand the sacred relationship we humans have with water and the importance of maintaining that in a protective and respectful way.”
In a conversation with Seth Bernard at the Neahtawanta Inn, Holly shares her thoughts on protecting the waters, her involvement in resistance movements such as Standing Rock, how white folks can stand in solidarity with Indigenous people, and much more. (2021)
A beautiful look into Water Protector’s Training Camp with Holly and fellow facilitator, Jordan Hamilton. (2023)
Holly hosted and directed our Eminazhichiget podcast, shining a light on the good work of Anishinaabek leaders in the Great Lakes region. Holly said, “Indigenous people are doing amazing things in our communities that many people are unaware of and have historically been suppressed. Our voices deserved to be heard and uplifted because we too are an important and essential part of this collective community.”
She created Indigenous Mutual Aid Eagle and Condor along with 3 other Indigenous women during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the lead administrator of the fund, she provided over $5,100 to Indigenous people in emergency situations; arranged shelter and safety; and provided on-the-spot legal support.
Holly was an integral part of our Healing Ourselves team, organizing and helping to facilitate focus groups; contributing to curriculum development; and helping to launch the first Healing Ourselves retreat as an organizer and facilitator for this unique program for people of color.
As a representative of Title Track, Holly served on national caucuses and coalitions, engaged in ongoing frontline organizing and resistance work, and participated in many public speaking and outreach events. Whether at schools, conferences, or festivals she always shared our story with warmth and conviction, extending an encouraging invitation to others to join our efforts and be a part of this community.
Holly’s legacy will continue to live on through the work we do and the many lives she touched.
Chi Miigwech, Holly. We love you.
Holly welcomes Stacey Ettawageshik as our guest in the most recent episode of our Eminazhichiget podcast. Eminazhichiget was a huge passion for Holly, featuring inspiring Anishinaabek leaders and showcasing important topics such as Stacey’s work with Uniting Three Fires Against Violence. (2024)
Holly along with Co-Executive Directors Jenny Jones and Seth Bernard share a deep conversation about each of their roots with Title Track and their inspirations for engaging in this meaningful work. (2021)
Tributes from the community:
Title Track family:
“I am feeling her presence so strongly in my heart and in the world. Her spirit shines before us and her life‘s work serves as a call. All of us are called to be water protectors, and we must tend to the fires of community care together. We must try to love relentlessly…She has always been a bridge builder between worlds and a shining star and she will continue to be.” (Seth Bernard, Founder & Artistic Director)
“Holly was a force to be reckoned with, a true friend, and a devoted mother. Her presence filled our hearts, and her contributions shaped our paths. Holly’s impact on our lives and our organization was profound. Her dedication, kindness, and unwavering support were the pillars of her character. She brought joy to every room she entered and left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing her.” (Bree Russell-Carscadden, Treasurer & Accounting Manager)
“A joyful and bright and hopeful and loving spirit has crossed into ancestry-hood and it was so fast, yet, I am so humbled that I feel she remains with me; with us. Thank you, Holly. I am only beginning to reflect in the knowing of her, and I know that it will continue. So thankful that we got to be friends, share leadership together, and that we will continue to be part of the resistance together. The emotions will ebb and flow, but we still have work to do and people to LOVE.” (Jenny Jones, Executive Director) ✊🏾
“Speechless still…yet my heart is so full of gratitude to have experienced the rich resonance of the deep love you’ve shared as a sista and with the world. Your beautiful smile turned darkness into light and your unapologetic honesty…quite frankly, refreshing. Your ferocious love and care for your family…soulful and steadfast. Your tireless activism for justice will be missed by all, as well as your unparallelled power to bring fiery peace to any room.” (Crystal Woodward-Turner, Board Member)
“You’ll be missed but we’ll remember you in all that we do.” (Manape LaMere, Board Member)
Nonprofit friends & partners:
FLOW: For Love of Water – Remembering our friend, the remarkable Holly T. Bird
Groundwork Center – Remembering our courageous and loving colleague, Holly T. Bird
Oryana Community Co-op – Holly’s legacy of compassion and activism will continue to inspire us.
Higher Grounds – A wide-eyed warrior, compassionate, courageous with a smile that lightens your step and a fist pump that lengthens your stride. Holly T. Bird, you remain with us with every step we take toward a better future. Thank you for your inspiration, intelligence, and insights. Our hearts are with your family, friends and all that have had the amazing gift of knowing you.
Up North Pride – To say our dear friend Holly will be missed is a great understatement. Holly was a fighter, a leader, a mentor, a comfort, a friend, a true inspiration and beloved by many.
Media:
Glen Arbor Sun – Remembering “Water Warrior” Holly Bird
Traverse City Ticker – Holly T. Bird, Local Attorney, Indigenous Activist, and TCAPS Board Member, Passes Away
Traverse City Record-Eagle – ‘She was an example of how to live: Sacred fire burns for Holly T. Bird
