It was a beautiful and historic day to honor the Anishinaabe soldiers of Company K last week.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB) hosted a Civil War Memorial Highway dedication ceremony for the Native American men of Company K of the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters at Leelanau Sands Casino. The recognition was long overdue and an emotional sight to see. Approximately 160 years after serving, these men were finally honored together, as the unit that they were, amongst a packed room filled with supportive community members, veterans, dignitaries, and descendants that gathered to witness the long awaited moment.
As explained in the ceremony program, when the men of Company K answered the call to serve during the Civil War, they carried with them “the teachings and values of their people,” leaving behind “family, community, and homeland to face uncertainty far from the shores of the Great Lakes.”
