MidMichigan College honors Indigenous People’s Day

MidMichigan College hosted an event in recognition of Indigenous People’s Day with the intention of educating the public on the history of Indigenous peoples.

The day began with a prayer from a Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe Elder and a traditional song performed by the Onion Creek Drummers. The event was open to students, administration, and community members and was held in person at Mid’s Mt. Pleasant campus and virtually from the Harrison campus.

To help attendees understand the importance of Indigenous history, Executive Director of the United Tribes of Michigan and Chairman of the United League of Indigenous Nations Governing Board, Frank Ettawageshik, spoke on the relationship between Indigenous tribes and the United States and how it has transformed to be what it is today.

“The Mt. Pleasant campus for Mid literally resides on Native land,” co-organizer Jacob Hamric says. “And so, as you heard from some of the speakers earlier, it’s important to do so, and the Native community has felt sort of left out, unheard.”

Hamric says the event focuses on Indigenous history, but that it’s also important in terms of community outreach.

Several government representatives participated, including U.S. Congressman John Moolenaar who spoke in person on the importance of recognizing the strenuous history and the plight of the Indigenous community. Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, and U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow sent their regards and words of recognition through a pre-recorded message.

“It’s just to really celebrate and share their culture and their history with people, too,” event organizer Donna Sinclair says. “And also not just their history, but their present struggles too in the present state of affairs.”