NOVEMBER ISNATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH IN MONROE COUNTY
According to Information Please Fact Monster, American Indian Heritage Month was first celebrated in the early 1900s as a day set aside in May and called “American Indian Day.” It was first acknowledged as a month-long celebration in 1990 with President George H. W. Bush issuing a national proclamation. Visit their website to find out information about famous Native Americans, as well as American Indian tribes, notable Native Americans, myths, quotes, and place names. Also of interest are slideshows, quizzes, a crossword puzzle, and an article about a Navajo code used in WWII that was never broken.
Monroe County, being the main residence of tribes such as the Potawatomie, the Wyandot/Huron, and the Ottawa, has a rich Native American history. In addition to national recognition, several municipalities in Monroe County have honored Native Americans by issuing proclamations that November, 2011 is officially Native American Heritage Month.
A Native American Memorial Committee of Monroe County has also been formed, with a memorial in the works to be located in Dundee at the West County Park Prairie Preserve. A Puddingstone Boulder has been placed at the entrance to the memorial, with an inscription to follow at a later date. The boulder was blessed by Abel Cooper “Cool Wind Bear,” native Pipe Carrier. The preserve is located just east of Dundee on Rightmire Road.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is another organization that recognizes the importance of the Native American. It is highlighting “efforts across America to protect the cultural legacies of Native Americans, Alaskan Natives, Native Hawaiians, and other indigenous peoples of the United States and its territories.” Be sure to visit their website to find out about threatened Native American locations, places that have been saved, and Native American locations to visit.
Closer to home, Central Michigan University is celebrating Native American Heritage Month with several events. Be sure to check out the CMU calendar of events.
And don’t forget to Check Out the Monroe County Library System to learn more about Native Americans, their history, their legends and customs, and much more. Some of the items available at the library include:
Book Description: “Both a tribute to the unique experiences of individual Native Americans and a celebration of the values that draw American Indians together, All Indians Do Not Live in Teepees (or Casinos) explores contemporary native life.” –Book Cover
Book Description: Traces the history of the Indian in Michigan’s history back to 10,000 BC with brief summaries of each period and tribe into modern times.
Book Description: “Fourteen-year-old Shem spends six months in the Michigan wilderness alone with a dying Indian woman, who helps him, not only to survive, but to mature to the point where he can return to his family and the difficulties of life as a cripple in a frontier village.” -Summary
Book Description: “Blackbird (Mack-i-te-be-nessy) was an Ottawa chief’s son who served as an official interpreter for the U.S. government and later as a postmaster while remaining active in Native American affairs as a teacher, advisor on diplomatic issues, lecturer and temperance advocate. He deals with the history of many native peoples throughout the Michigan region and emphasizes traditional hunting, fishing, sugaring, and trapping practices and the seasonal tasks of daily living.” –Summary
Book Description: The author provides “an expert survey of the Indians of the Upper Great Lakes region which introduces the reader to their different cultures and changing environment from the end of the Ice Age to the coming of the Europeans.” –Book Jacket
Book Description: “A story of family life in the early decades of the twentieth century through the eyes and hearts of a small Indian community in Northern Michigan. Bill Dunlop, a respected Ottawa elder and storyteller, recounts the experiences of his youth as a Hungry Hollow native” –Book Cover
Book Description: “A young maiden is entranced by the Spirit Wood, where playful fairies known as the Pukwudjininees live, and wants to keep visiting there despite being forbidden to do so by her family.” -Summary
Book Description: “One winter, when the people of her village become terrible ill, Running Flower braves the snow and freezing cold to race to the village on the other side of the forest for medicine.” -Summary
Book Description: "Recounts the life of Petosegay, an Ottawa Indian chief, who gave his name to the small town in northern Michigan—Petoskey—where a unique stone can be found along its shores.” -Summary
Book Description: “Who were the very first people to live in Michigan? Who lived, played and hunted where your home and school stand today? American Indians, of course… This A-Z look at Michigan Indians emphasizes Indian pride, culture, skills and creativity.” –Product Description
Book Description: Discusses the traditions, clothing, food, tools and current status of the different tribes of Native Americans who made their home in what became the state of Michigan. –Summary
Book Description: “When Luke Anderson falls in love with Dove Morris, he is aware of her Native American heritage. What he is not prepared for is the prejudice suddenly exhibited by his mother against Dove. Torn between the people he loves most in the world, Luke struggles with his feelings until a wildfire on the prairie threatens Morris Ranch. As Luke joins the battle to stave off the fire as it approaches, he must risk his life to save Dove.” -Summary
Book Description: “Describes the life of the Indians who established villages in the area of Lake Huron where there were forests, rivers, and favorable conditions for growing crops.” -Summary
Also available in DVD format Description: A young Native American boy carves a small wooden man into a canoe, and sets him off on a journey through the Great Lakes and down to the Atlantic Ocean.
Book Description: “In 1841 thirteen-year-old Libby and her family begin a new life on the shores of Lake Michigan where her father works as a surveyor for the Ottawa Indians and Libby is reunited with her Indian friend Fawn.” -Summary
Book Description: “A teaching tool that honors the Chippewa, Ottawa, and Potawatomi and the twelve federally recognized tribes of Michigan by recognizing their role and place in Michigan history—exploring what most people know (or do not know) about them.”—Book Jacket
Book Description: “When Eva Fortier’s grandfather is murdered, her attorney urges her to leave New York and take refuge in the high desert area of New Mexico. Leaving her life of wealth behind, Eva attempts to make sense of the tragedies in her life. Navajo David Benally has his hands full taking care of his people’s medical needs. But when his father asks him to help fulfill a vow made to Eva’s father, he has no choice but to oblige. He views Eva as a spoiled rich girl…until he sees her strength in the midst of life-threatening danger.” –Product Description
