Holly T. Bird, a local attorney, indigenous activist, and member of the Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) Board of Education, has passed away, her family announced on Thursday. Bird had been battling stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.

“Our beloved Holly joined the ancestors just before midnight,” read a post published on Bird’s Facebook page on Thursday afternoon. “She transitioned enveloped in the love of her family and journeyed knowing she was loved as fiercely as she shared her love to all of you, and the world.”

Per the post, Bird will be honored with a “sacred fire” at 10510 Cedar Run Road in Traverse City. That fire began on Thursday and will burn around the clock for four days. “ALL are welcome to come anytime and talk with Holly,” the post noted.

Beyond the sacred fire, a celebration of life will be held in Bird’s honor at Milliken Auditorium at 1pm on Sunday, May 18.

“The family is deeply appreciative of the waves of love sent to Holly and to her beloveds throughout these recent weeks, days, and hours. Miigwech,” the post concluded. “Cards may be sent to the family at 500 Webster St, Traverse City, MI 49686.”

Bird ran for and won a seat on the TCAPS school board in the fall 2022 election. Speaking to The Ticker at the time, Bird talked about the value of education and the importance of “providing a safe and inclusive environment for all.”

“I have been involved with education and children for most of my career,” Bird said. “Whether working for the Chicago Public Schools Board of Education as a community-organization teacher, or as a guardian ad litem for children, the importance of providing our youth with impactful services, a good education, and a positive future has been at the forefront of my work.”

Bird also worked in the legal field, both as a tribal judge and a private practice attorney, and was a noted local activist and advocate for everything from indigenous visibility and racial justice, to clean water and energy, to LGTBQ+ rights. In 2020, she joined the local nonprofit Title Track as co-executive director. That organization, which has a mission of “Engaging creative practice to build resilient social-ecological systems that support clean water, racial equity, and youth empowerment,” was started by local musician and activist Seth Bernard, and was a key player in numerous local anti-racism programs during the pandemic.

The news of Bird’s passing quickly drew tributes and statements from all manner of local businesses, organizations, and individuals, including from TCAPS and Bernard.

“Holly was one of the most gentle and genuine people I have ever had the opportunity to work with,” said TCAPS Superintendent John VanWagoner. “She was a fierce champion to ensure all children have the opportunities and resources to reach their dreams. I will miss her guidance and friendship, and will fondly remember her teachings as we continue to serve the children of our community.” 

“We are all in shock and just starting to process the grief,” added Board President Scott Newman-Bale. “Holly was an exceptional board member and, although known for certain causes, she was a great champion for all aspects of the district. She had a unique ability to calmly intake thoughts and opinions and use them to guide rational discussions on a very wide variety of issues. Our thoughts are mainly with her family and friends, but the entire community has lost an amazing individual.”

According to a TCAPS press release, Bird formally stepped down from her position on the board just days ago, on March 29. The district plans to “acknowledge Holly’s service to the district” at an April 14 board meeting, and will “discuss the next steps to fulfill the vacancy within the required 30 days at an upcoming meeting.”

In a post on Instagram, Bernard described Bird as a “force of nature,” praising their collaboration at Title Track as “one of the great honors of my life.”

“We have served on national caucuses and coalitions, engaged in ongoing frontline organizing and resistance work, developed programs, built community, raised money, lifted spirits, and had a lot of good laughs through these last several hard years here on the planet,” Bernard wrote. “We have worked with kids in rivers and classrooms from Flint to Traverse City, we have organized, presented and spoken at countless conferences, festivals, and events all across the region… I’m fully crushed and fully resolved to continue to do the work with full devotion, in remembrance and solidarity, until my time comes to be an ancestor as well.”

Bird is survived by her husband, Percy, and their three children, Sonny, Will, and Annabella, as well as by other family, friends, and loved ones.

UPDATE: Please note that the location of the sacred fire in Bird's honor has been changed to 10510 Cedar Run Road in Traverse City.