Monday marked Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which is observed nationally on the second Monday of October each year. It is a time to recognize both the resilience and diversity of Indigenous peoples in the U.S., and gives the public the opportunity to learn more about the history and culture of Indigenous communities located near them.
I was able to take photos at the Old Art Building’s (OAB) Indigenous People Day event, “Honoring Anishinaabeg Life & Legacy,” on Monday afternoon and it was amazing to see such a large crowd of people, many being elementary school students from Leland, in attendance. Both the kids and adults in the audience were visibly excited to watch and listen to the Dusty Bear singers and tribal community dancers dressed in traditional regalia. At one point during the event on the OAB’s front lawn, the dancers even led attendees in a massive round dance and later explained the stories behind the making of their regalia. On site was Raphael Foods of Peshawbestown serving indigenous cuisine around lunchtime, and people later moved inside the OAB to listen to a panel discussion on “Anishinaabeg Way of Life: Past, Present, and Future.” The discussion was followed by a screening of a short film about the Kchi Wiikwedong Anishinaabe History Project’s Anishinaabe Cultural Marker Project.
Here in Leelanau County and surrounding areas, we are lucky enough to have many of these opportunities available to learn about the local Anishinaabeg communities not just on Indigenous peoples’ day, but all year-round. Events that promote Anishinabek culture hosted by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, a sovereign nation, is a great starting point for resources and continued learning.
