Tribal Observing Seasons in Time

A retrospective of articles by Joseph V. Sowmick, originally published in the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe's newspaper, the Tribal Observer.

Joseph V. Sowmick, Hon. Ph.D. is Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Elder and an award-winning photojournalist who has been employed by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan for 27 years. Joseph is currently employed through the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan as Public Relations Manager.

Joseph has Associates of Arts degree from Lansing Community College, a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University and received an Honorary Doctorate degree in Public Service Administration from Central Michigan University in 2008.
Joseph was also a graduate of the Mt. Pleasant Chamber of Commerce Rollie Denison Leadership Institute and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce Leadership Michigan Program.

Joseph has served on the Central Michigan Community Hospital Board/McLaren Health System for twelve years, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Health Board for five years and the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College Board of Regents for four years.
Joseph was appointed by Gov. Granholm to the Michigan Community Service Commission for eight years and Gov. Rick Snyder awarded a State of Michigan Recognition for his work in public service.

Joseph has served on numerous boards and committees on local, state, federal and tribal levels and is considered a valuable resource for his cultural and technical insights on the communications industry. He currently serves on the Michigan State Advisory Council on Aging (SAC) with support of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Isabella County Economic Development Board, Region VII AAA Seniors Advisory Council and the Saginaw Chippewa Elders Advisory Board.

Joseph lives in Mt. Pleasant and has been married for 37 years to his wife Susan, and his daughter Lindy is a graduate from the University of Minnesota majoring in Marketing and Public Relations and works for the State of Minnesota Democratic Caucus House of Representatives.