Mid Michigan College partners with Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Mid Michigan College, in partnership with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, will host a public Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration on October 13 at its Mt. Pleasant campus, honoring Native culture.
What’s Happening: Mid Michigan College is hosting an Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration on Monday, October 13 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in partnership with the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe. The event is free and open to the public, and will take place in the Community Room located on Mid’s Mt. Pleasant campus.
The event will honor the rich heritage, history, and lasting impact of Indigenous communities through music, storytelling, and food. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is an opportunity to recognize Native voices, honor their cultures, and shed light on the importance of creating a more just and inclusive world.
What They’re Saying: “We are excited to bring this event to our community in an effort to respectfully observe this very meaningful day,” said Scott Mertes, Mid Michigan College provost and Indigenous Peoples’ Day event coordinator. “And we’re grateful to the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe for partnering with us to make this event a reality.”
What’s Being Featured: The event opens at 10 a.m. with Blue House Singers and Drum Circle, and will be followed by a welcome from Tim Hood, president of Mid Michigan College; Neil MacKinnon, president of Central Michigan University (or designee); and representatives of the Tribal Council of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.
From 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., there will be a keynote address by Sam Anglin, Indigenous chef and traditional food educator of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College. The second half of the event features an Indigenous food demonstration and closes with the Blue House Singers and Drum Circle.
About the Speaker: Anglin is a member of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan and has served in various roles across the community, including banquet chef at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, market master for the Tribal Farmers Market, and permanent supportive housing coordinator.
For more than 20 years, Anglin has worked to restore cultural traditions in his community through food, leadership, and education. Using ancestral knowledge, he bridges the gap between traditional food practices and contemporary approaches, viewing food as a tool for the body.
Through his roles as an educator, consultant, and culinary leader, Anglin is a powerful force exemplifying resilience, cultural empowerment, and healing across generations.
About the College: Since 1965, Mid Michigan College has strived to inspire student success, foster community growth, and provide accessible educational opportunities throughout the state of Michigan for learners. The college has campuses located in Harrison and Mt. Pleasant, local communities from Bad Axe to Big Rapids, as well as online.
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