1
12
439
-
https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/77e8de5a60fa7f7810d9085e0458506a.pdf
53158145f2f8c9a921bdfddb0784cac6
PDF Text
Text
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WOODLAND INDIAN ASSOCIATION
D A MC E
ON OCT. 13 , 1930 AT 9:00 p.m. to 1 :30 a.m.
after the Pow-wow at the Muskegon College. A Dance at the
Grange Hall on Apple Ave. and Walker Rd. at which the admissions will be $3.00 for Adults, Children 16& under $1 .50
LUfilCH FOR SALE
Proceeds to be used for Children
Citizens Christmas Party.
Donations can be sent to:
2506 JAMES STREET
MUSKEGON
Ml
49442
0
0
&
Senior
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Native American Publication Collection
Subject
The topic of the resource
Native Americans
Indians of North America
Anthropology
Indians of North America -- Michigan -- Periodicals
Michigan
Description
An account of the resource
Selected digital surrogates of published and unpublished materials from the Edward V. Gillis Native American publication collection dealing with different aspects of human culture and anthropology, with an emphasis on Native American people, events, organizations, and activities in Michigan. Includes newsletters, event programs, flyers, posters and other printed materials.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Gillis, Edward V.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/446">Edward V. Gillis Native American Publication Collection (RHC-14)</a>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-02-21
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
Relation
A related resource
Gi-gikinomaage-min Project (Kutsche Office of Local History)
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
application/pdf
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
RHC-14
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
1958-2000
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
Text
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text.
Source
<a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/446">Edward V. Gillis Native American publication collection, RHC-14</a>
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
RHC-14_woodland-indian-dance_1980-10
Title
A name given to the resource
Woodland Indian Association Dance, October 1980
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1980-10
Description
An account of the resource
Woodland Indian Association Dance flyer, Muskegon MI, October 18, 1980, collected by Edward Gillis included as part of his Native American publication collection.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Woodland Indian Association
Subject
The topic of the resource
Indians of North America -- Michigan -- Periodicals
Indians of North America
Michigan
Michigan -- Grand Rapids
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
application/pdf
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
-
https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/ba5f97b176dffec193c0212fdc5d7075.mp4
66f5de71a763809b5b33e52fd34454fd
https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/75fcad0eb4e0119d74693edc4129cda9.pdf
82d7b1e08ccefd6414c61021d6dd8ed8
PDF Text
Text
Grand Valley State University
Veterans History Project Interview
Name of War: Vietnam
Name of Interviewee: Roger Williams
Length of Interview: 00:27:10
Background:
He spoke in his native language to the interviewer.
What he said was that his name means “little fat pig.” His grandmother gave him that
name. He also has a spirit name.
He feels very honored for being invited to participate in this project.
He was born August 1940, in Holland, Michigan.
He served in the United States Air Force. His highest rank was E4.
He served two periods, from 1957-1961 at San Antonio.
He served at a hospital there for some time.
He got out in 1961 and got back in to serve in the Vietnam War in 1962 and would serve
until 1967.
He did not go to Vietnam and was not in combat.
He enlisted in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
He was raised in Holland until he was 12 years old. Although he has a Native American
heritage, he is mostly Dutch. He would have loved to take part in the Tulip Time parade,
but that never happened.
He went to high school in Muskegon but did not finish. He would finish high school
while he was in the service and started college while he was in the service also.
He made a great number of friends while he was in the service. He actually was able to
reach out to a friend who he went to medical school with in Montgomery. His daughter
would find him over Facebook. He doesn’t know what will happen but he hopes to
reconnect with him.
He had quit high school and things were not going so well for him. He had great work
ethic, but the jobs were not that good.
At 17 he was starting to get in trouble.
When he was still in school, he went into his school’s counselor’s office, and asked about
what he should do. The man told him that if he graduated with a B average, he would
help him get into the US Naval Academy.
As a poor kid with little support, it didn’t occur to him that it was a wonderful offer. So
when he was 17, he started to think about it some more, and thought the military was a
good place for him to be.
So he joined the Air Force.
Training (6:54)
When he first went into the Air Force they had a 12 weeks basic training program.
He was a pretty unrestricted man, so basic training was very good for him. It gave him
discipline, it gave him boundaries; it gave him a better way of life.
Following basic training, he went to a medical prep school for about 8 weeks.
�
In this he learn the basics of how the hospital is run, the history of medicine, etc.
Following that he went to a school in Montgomery, Alabama. He thought about being a
field medic, but they wanted him to be an Administrative Medic.
So when he got to San Antonio, he was basically helping to run the hospital.
Adapting to military life was a big change for his life. It was a little difficult and it kind
of stressed him out. He wasn’t a very big guy, but he did what he had to change.
Active Duty (9:30)
During the first part of his career, most of his time was served at the hospital, in San
Antonio.
He did a lot of administrative work, such as choosing which patients to admit. He was
responsible for sending telegrams when someone died.
There were responsibilities for taking inventory of who came in and who died in what
way.
One of the most traumatic experiences he had was when he had to do an inventory on
dead person’s personal effects, which was zero. The guy had crashed a plane and his
body was in a lot of different pieces in the rubble and dirt.
Opening the bag up and seeing the dirt, he thought they were playing a joke on him at
first, but it was quite a shocker for him when he found out a body was actually in there.
Another one was a Mexican boy’s body came in and he had to do inventory on him.
When he pulled the sheet back, the boy looked exactly like him, with his head caved in.
And that was a shocker.
The second part of his service was spent in Miami. It was party city for him.
The Cuban Crisis came along and he was at the Homestead air base.
He had first-hand experience with his time during this time.
Following the Cuban Crisis, John Kennedy came to the base and awarded them a special
award.
He would then go to Germany, which was also a lot of fun. There was still a lot of work
to be done.
While there, he was the administrator.
He would then move to France, just outside of Paris. He was able to Paris in his off time
and go to the Paris Opera House. He got to see a lot of artistic things he got to see
including the Mona Lisa and Cleopatra’s Needle.
He would also go to museums there as well. (15:20)
While he was there, the war was still going on. He would be there prepping guys for war
and taking care of those who came back from war.
He would read the newspapers and read about how so many of those guys were dying and
it bothered him tremendously.
The people of the USA were starting to speak out against the war.
It was his time to get out and he did.
He feels bad because the job was not getting done and it was the soldiers who were
paying the price.
Post Duty and other stories (18:05)
�
It is always difficult when a friend dies. When he was in France, a buddy of his was
driving to Paris one night and had a seizure and he and the passenger died. It was a pretty
bad time for him because he was on duty when they brought the bodies in.
They came in and he didn’t know about the accident yet. He walked in and saw their
bodies lying on the slab and that’s when he found out.
He was not mistreated when he came home from the service, while serving in Vietnam.
His family was there for him when he came home and they were very supportive. He has
a way in his community where they truly honor veterans.
The guys who came home from Vietnam were treated badly. It was horrible and quite
real.
One of the things that the community doesn’t know is that natives have a higher rate of
enlistees than the whole. 1 of 4 compared to 1 of 10
Part of that is no so much that we are loyal, but they have a real sense of connection to
the earth around them. Veterans are represented in a different way because of the culture.
In order to honor the customs of his community, he gives the interviewer some items
from his culture, in exchange for letting him be a part of this project.
He continues to serve his community; to show it he collects buttons, awards and other
patches.
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Veterans History Project
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Grand Valley State University. History Department
Description
An account of the resource
The Library of Congress established the Veterans History Project in 2001 to collect memories, accounts, and documents of U.S. war veterans from World War II and the Korean War, Vietnam War, and conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere, and to preserve these stories for future generations. The GVSU History Department interviews are part of this work-in-progress, and may contain videos and audio recordings, transcripts and interview outlines, and related documents and photographs.
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
1914-
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
Subject
The topic of the resource
Afghan War, 2001--Personal narratives, American
Iran Hostage Crisis, 1979-1981--Personal narratives, American
Korean War, 1950-1953--Personal narratives, American
Michigan--History, Military
Oral history
Persian Gulf War, 1991--Personal narratives, American
United States--History, Military
United States. Air Force
United States. Army
United States. Navy
Veterans
Video recordings
Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Smither, James
Boring, Frank
Relation
A related resource
Veterans History Project (U.S.)
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
RHC-27
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/455">Veterans History Project interviews (RHC-27)</a>
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
WilliamsRo
Title
A name given to the resource
Williams, Roger (Interview outline and video), 2010
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Williams, Roger
Description
An account of the resource
Roger Williams is a Native American who served in the United State Air Force as a medical Administrator in two separate tours between 1957 and 1967. He was stationed in Texas, Florida and Germany, and was at the Homestead , Florida, air base at the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Kimes, Emily (Interviewer)
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
Subject
The topic of the resource
Oral history
Veterans History Project (U.S.)
United States--History, Military
Michigan--History, Military
Veterans
Video recordings
Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
United States. Air Force
Indians of North America
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Moving Image
Text
Relation
A related resource
Veterans History Project (U.S.)
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2010-06-04
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/455">Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)</a>
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
application/pdf
video/mp4
-
https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/08f19a9c051b83d174ee8e51a5111a46.pdf
b72fa8127ad2c1db220ac824f9be7b4f
PDF Text
Text
WALK IN UNITY
for
Michigan's most VULNERABLE
and
'RALLY
at the State Capitol
FEBRUARY 15, 1991
To show concern over budget cuts and their
effect on the Indian people, and to show support
for all of Michigan's vulnerable citizens.
Cuts proposed would:
1. Lower ADC and SSI subsistence.
2. Reduce Medical Services to the poor.
3. Lay-off of State Employees will seriously hamper the
States ability to serve Michigan's citizens.
4. Lay-off Indian people in State positions that advocate for
Indian communities which effectively cuts out Indian Programs.
5. Severely curt~il or eliminate GA Program.
6. Reduce services for Senior Citizens.
7. Reduce services for Children.
8. Numerous other areas would be cut or eliminated.
Support Alternative Plans
Indian people are asked to gather at the Lansing Indian Center,
814 W. Saginaw, Lansing. Traditional dress is encouraged.
Prayer will be offered at noon and walk to the Capitol will begin
immediately thereafter.
Other community organizations and individuals are being invited to
join us at the Capitol at 1 :00 p.m.
Any questions call 517-487-5409.
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Native American Publication Collection
Subject
The topic of the resource
Native Americans
Indians of North America
Anthropology
Indians of North America -- Michigan -- Periodicals
Michigan
Description
An account of the resource
Selected digital surrogates of published and unpublished materials from the Edward V. Gillis Native American publication collection dealing with different aspects of human culture and anthropology, with an emphasis on Native American people, events, organizations, and activities in Michigan. Includes newsletters, event programs, flyers, posters and other printed materials.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Gillis, Edward V.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/446">Edward V. Gillis Native American Publication Collection (RHC-14)</a>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-02-21
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
Relation
A related resource
Gi-gikinomaage-min Project (Kutsche Office of Local History)
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
application/pdf
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
RHC-14
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
1958-2000
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
Text
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text.
Source
<a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/446">Edward V. Gillis Native American publication collection, RHC-14</a>
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
RHC-14_walk-in-unity-rally_1991-02
Title
A name given to the resource
Walk In Unity Rally, February 1991
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1991-02
Description
An account of the resource
Walk In Unity Rally, Lansing MI, February 15, 1991, collected by Edward Gillis included as part of his Native American publication collection.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Lansing Indian Center
Subject
The topic of the resource
Indians of North America -- Michigan -- Periodicals
Indians of North America
Michigan
Michigan -- Grand Rapids
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
application/pdf
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
-
https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/668e75797f14a3076c066a63383f3c01.pdf
e6c5f4767871253b611562fc301e6275
PDF Text
Text
WAG WHE £lfR'S
th
50 BIRTHDAY FEAST I I
U<JNORIN&- f:RIENbS IN 1ltf; CoNlMUN 1,~
WESf )I t)f. COMPLEx FEB
·
I~ 3:30 PM
PLEASE sror> BY ro·151\r ANI> sAY
~J?u.f
• •
9-tk.
BOO-SHOO ! [
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Native American Publication Collection
Subject
The topic of the resource
Native Americans
Indians of North America
Anthropology
Indians of North America -- Michigan -- Periodicals
Michigan
Description
An account of the resource
Selected digital surrogates of published and unpublished materials from the Edward V. Gillis Native American publication collection dealing with different aspects of human culture and anthropology, with an emphasis on Native American people, events, organizations, and activities in Michigan. Includes newsletters, event programs, flyers, posters and other printed materials.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Gillis, Edward V.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/446">Edward V. Gillis Native American Publication Collection (RHC-14)</a>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-02-21
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
Relation
A related resource
Gi-gikinomaage-min Project (Kutsche Office of Local History)
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
application/pdf
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
RHC-14
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
1958-2000
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
Text
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text.
Source
<a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/446">Edward V. Gillis Native American publication collection, RHC-14</a>
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
RHC-14_wag-wheeler-birthday-feast_
Title
A name given to the resource
Wag Wheeler's 50th Birthday Feast, February ????
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
????-02
Description
An account of the resource
Wag Wheeler's 50th Birthday Feast flyer, February 9, ???? collected by Edward Gillis included as part of his Native American publication collection.
Subject
The topic of the resource
Indians of North America -- Michigan -- Periodicals
Indians of North America
Michigan
Michigan -- Grand Rapids
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
application/pdf
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
-
https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/9d3c7939b6def03df441098b36e2b3e0.pdf
a7bc6821fdcc009e64780c4f480836cf
PDF Text
Text
Native American Oral Histories
Gi-gikinomaage-min Project
Interview: James Wagner "Wag" Wheeler
Interviewer: Belinda Bardwell and Levi Rickert
Date: April 23, 2015
[ [Lin]
This is an interview with Wag Wheeler on April twenty-third at one forty
downtown Grand Rapids in the--
[Levi]
Riverview Center Office Building.
[Lin]
I'm Belinda Bardwell and this is Levi Rickert. This is an interview. Oral history
interview. Oral record of the urban Native experience of the Grand Valley State
University Gi-gikinomaage-min Defend Our History Project, Unlock Our Spirit
Project.
[Whispers: Put that thing on.]
[Lin]
Can we have you introduce yourself and spell your name?
[Wag]
James Wagner Wheeler. Wag Wheeler for short. W-A-G The last name is W-HE-E-L-E-R.
[Lin]
[INAUDIBLE] Can you tell me a little about where you were born?
[Wag]
I was born in [INAUDIBLE] Oklahoma in nineteen thirty-five.
[Lin]
Oklahoma?
[Wag]
Mhm.
[Lin]
So, when did you come, or move, or trans-locate to Grand Rapids?
[Wag]
I came here nineteen seventy-two. I had a fellowship at the University of
Michigan. To work on a master's degree in Public Administration. That was
sponsored by the National Association of Public Administrators. Their minority
division. And I got a scholarship to come finish my master's degree at the
University of Michigan.
[Lin]
Okay. Are you affiliated with a tribe?
[Wag]
I am Cherokee from Oklahoma. Eastern Cherokee.
[Lin]
Okay. How would you describe yourself concerning your ethnicity or your
identity?
�[Wag]
[Wag]
I like to say I'm Native American. I was not brought up as Native American. I was
born during the time when they used Black, White, or Other. And we were always
Other on our birth certificates, and licences, and all that kind of thing.
So, I'd always identified as white with Native American blood. Until I realized how
twisted that was, as opposed to being Native American blood. Or Native
American with white blood.
[Lin]
So describe your connection with the Grand Rapids area.
[Wag]
When I was at the University of Michigan [Ahem, excuse me] in nineteen
seventy-two there was a student over there from Grand Rapids her name was
Chet [INAUDIBLE]. I was working at the university while I was going to school in
an office called the Opportunity Office. And the purpose of that was to help
Native Americans and other minority students make the transition from high
school to college. Particularly, the kids that came from rural areas. I went to work
there with the help of a guy that I worked with in Oklahoma, by the name of Tony
Genia from Charlevoix. While I was there I met Chet Eagleman, he came into the
office I think to talk about some financial aid or something, I don't remember
exactly. I had known Chet, I had knew about him, because there is a college in
Oklahoma called Bacone, it's basically an Indian College in Muskogee,
Oklahoma. I had been up there playing ball and refereeing and all that. I had met
him in the crowd or something. I just remembered the name. So, Chet came into
the office and we got to be pretty good friends. And he told me that they had this
agency over here, Grand Rapids Inter-tribal Council. That had been established I
think in nineteen seventy-one or seventy-two. They had a director of the agency
with the name of [Short interruption] Eddie White Pigeon. But he was leaving,
and Chet asked if I was interested in maybe coming to work after I was got
through with my program. The program that I was in was a two-year program.
[background noise] So, I told him yes, that I would consider it. I was in the
process of getting a divorce from my wife in Oklahoma. When we talked further, I
told Chet, I would like to apply for the position. I just wanna finish school and I
would give him one or two years, but I wanted to do some traveling and some
research on the Cherokee people. So, when I finished school I came over and
was interviewed for the executive directors position. They assigned me, or
appointed me. I think that was in seventy-five somewhere around May or June. I
can't remember exactly what the date was. So, I became quite familiar with
Michigan and Grand Rapids. At that time, they had-- there was quite a
controversy going on throughout the country with Native and non-Native people.
Particularly white people there was a take over a place in South Dakota called
Wounded Knee, South Dakota. There were several people from Grand Rapids
that were in that movement. Which was initiated by the American Indian
Movement. I got real familiar with that and got caught up in that type of situation.
At the time there used to be a bar on Bridge Street called Cat's Paw and it was a
�Native American bar, basically.
[Wag]
I was here probably about a month or so and there was a bunch of Native people
in the bar, got into a fight, and the police were called in and there was a whole lot
of clubbing and slapping around and that type of thing. I think they arrested four
people that they were charging with disturbing the peace. I don't remember what
the charges were, but it was something to do with disturbing the peace and drunk
and disorderly, and all kinds of things. That was my first encounter with the
Grand Rapids Police and the city basically. From there I just got very familiar with
it. Hired some people to help us put some programs together and start building
the agency. At that point in time the agency had a grant from Office of Native
American Programs and the grant was for forty thousand dollars, and it was to
build an Indian center and to hire some staff. Develop some programs, national
programs, state programs, and county programs. That type of thing.
[Lin]
You mentioned you wanted to do some research on your Cherokee heritage,
were you able to do that?
[Wag]
No.
[Lin]
No?
[Wag]
No. I still haveta'. I met people that were familiar with the Cherokee movement.
My people were in Tennessee, Georgia, and Kentucky. Actually my ancestors
are the ones that had gone to Jackson, President Jackson, to try to stop the
removal of our people from the southeastern part of the country and into
Oklahoma. They met with President Jackson, he denied that they could stay in
Georgia, the Cherokee people, and the other tribes that were there. They signed
the treaty back then, as well as today, I think they had the Cherokee blood ball.
Which meant that if you did something that crippled or hurt the rest of the people
you signed your own death sentence. Out of five of my ancestors, when they
went back to Oklahoma there were four of them that were killed for signing that
treaty. Consequently they did move our people. So my people, my ancestors, left
that part of the country and moved down to Arkansas and Oklahoma basically
before the Trail of Tears and the rest of the people came on through the Trail of
Tears, basically.
[Lin]
So you graduated from Michigan.
[Wag]
Uh-huh.
[Lin]
What was your experience like there being Native? Or--
�[Wag]
[Wag]
It was--[Laughter] Well, [Clears Throat] When I was there, there was four of us.
Twenty Juniors--no. Paul Johnson who was an ex-football player there.
Paul was a Chippewa from Saginaw, and Tony Genia who was an Ottawa from
Charlevoix. Jim Ken Cannon was there and his brother John. They were from
North Port, that area. Together, the five or six of us--I think there was--George,
uh, Charles Pamp, Moose Pamp was over there. While he wasn't going to
school, he was working there in the school helping with us. So, we petitioned the
university to develop a Native American Indian Student Association. So, we
founded the Native American Student Association. There was a guy that worked
for the university by the name of George Goodman. Goodman. Goodman.
George was the mayor of Ypsilanti. African American, a wonderful, wonderful
person. He was over the opportunity to program that I worked for. So he was one
person that really helped push through the Native American Association that we
had established. We'd set up a library and developed some Native American
programs with some professors that were over there. One professor was a guy
from Oklahoma by the name of McCormick, Charles. Well, Edward McCormick.
Another one was a fella by the name of Felt. Professor Felt. I don't remember
what his first name was. But he was quite well known throughout the university
world for developing social--I think some social programs with the university and
things of that nature. So he was very supportive of us gettin' in there and it
became quite successful, we helped a lot of students. We had a lot of students
[Levi]
What was the time frame. The early nineteen seventies?
[Wag]
I was there from seventy-two to seventy-five. So that was probably seventythree.
[Levi]
Kay
[Wag]
The first year I was there. Because Tony Genia [Clears throat] in the two-year
program he had already been there a year, and he was already there when we
did all that. So, he left after I graduated the first year. So, it would have had to
been seventy-three.
[Levi]
We've had some Genia's here in Grand Rapids Hunter Genia, who you know.
[Wag]
Yeah.
[Levi]
Tony's his uncle? He talk about that connection?
[Wag]
Tony is relativity young. But I don't think they're real close realities.
[Levi]
Okay.
�[Wag]
[Levi]
I never really could find out from Hunter's mother.
Doris [INAUDIBLE]
[Wag]
I never really did figure out how they were related to him. But interestingly Tony
Genia from Charlevoix. Tony Genia from here.
[Levi]
Mm hm.
[Wag]
But then the program developed and I left over there, and I think it's still going.
[INAUDIBLE]
[Lin]
So, you grew up in Oklahoma?
[Wag]
I grew up in Oklahoma.
[Lin]
Went to high school there?
[Wag]
Yes.
[Lin]
Anything striking from your high school memories?
[Wag]
Yeah, I couldn't speak our language in high school. Couldn't speak our language
in school at all. Which it didn't bother me too much, because we didn't speak it at
home. I never learned the language. My parents were brought up in it's better not
to show. [INAUDIBLE] To try to assimilate into the majority of society. Had uncles
that went to mission school. My mother's brothers went to mission school. My
dad was an only child. My mother was one of fifteen. So, I had my uncles and
aunts to play with quite a bit. We always celebrated different types of, we didn't
call it the ghost supper back then, but it was always around the time of
Thanksgiving. 'Cause that's a harvest time as you know. With my mother's big
family. We celebrated it with her family more so than just by ourselves. I have
three sisters and a brother. Brother and sister are old and two sisters younger.
[Levi]
So separate from Thanksgiving there was a dinner celebration. Similar to what
you see in Michigan. We call them ghost suppers.
[Wag]
Yeah, yeah. It was similar to them. I can't remember what they're called. I don't
remember. But it was all right there, about the same time.
[Levi]
It was honoring the harvest and honoring the ancestors?
[Wag]
Yes. The spirits that are on their final trip. That type of thing, final passage.
�[Lin]
[Clears throat] Did you have friends or other people in your high school or
growing up that were Native?
[Wag]
Oh yeah. Yeah. And what I meant to say is, I've seen kids get slapped for
speaking to each other in the language. And screamed at: "You can't say that.
You can't say those dirty words. That dirty language." Or whatever they called it,
you know. What bothered me, I had real good friends that'd get slapped. Back
then you couldn't do anything. Today, you'd get fired. But back then you just took
it and that was it.
[Lin]
So this was a public school?
[Wag]
Yes.
[Levi]
Now, speak to the difference, Wag, where you grew up in Oklahoma. Now, I
understand they don't have reservations, per se, they have tribal lands. Is that
correct?
[Wag]
Mhm.
[Levi]
And where you grew up, was it more of a rural area? Or urban?
[Wag]
It was more of a rural. The city I grew up in was the county seat of Sequoyah
County.
[Levi]
Okay.
[Wag]
It's right below Adair county, which is heavily populated by natives, and Cherokee
County, which is where the center of the Cherokee nation was. It is the
furthermost county, Cherokee County, in Oklahoma. It's right bordered by the
Arkansas river to the south. Across the river is Choctaw County, and to the
northeast or northwest is Creek County, and the southwest is Choc--
[Levi]
Chickasaw, isn't it?
[Wag]
Chickasaw
[Levi]
Chickasaw.
[Wag]
Creeks and Shawnees and all that throughout that whole--You know, you've
been there before--And, we were governed by the laws of the state, you know
here it's the U.S. Marshals. But back there the land--We call it the reservation,
well the reservation is made up of about twelve or thirteen counties.
The county government takes care of the county and the city government take
[Wag]
�care of the cities. The state government, you know, were under the auspices of
all those laws. Whereas opposed here the people have some of their own judges
and own law enforcement and backing of the U.S. Marshals and that type of
thing.
[Levi]
What Indian country are you--Cherokee, okay.
[Wag]
Yep.
[Levi]
You know, tribal police and…
[Wag]
Well, we didn't have any tribal police. They have the now.
[Levi]
They do now. Yes.
[Wag]
They do have them now. But that came after--
[Levi]
Well, that's interesting.
[Wag]
They came after I left.
[Levi]
Okay.
[Lin]
So your experience in public high school in Oklahoma, and then your college
experience in Michigan--
[Wag]
Well,I went to college in Oklahoma also.
[Lin]
Was there a difference in shifting from the public school atmosphere to the
college there to the University of Michigan.
[Wag]
From the college there to the University of Michigan that's quite a difference. Ann
Arbor is a very, very conservative community. Very conservative. The university
is very, very liberal. So, you can imagine what that created in that community.
Where I grew up it was somewhat conservative. Not a lot of liberal activity there.
We have a democratic party. [Laughs] But, I don't know if it was in charge of my
time in school. But, it was very different. I have to tell you a story. When I [clears
throat] started enrolling at the University of Michigan, now I'm from Oklahoma,
I'm close to forty years old, thirty seven years old at that time. My concern, our
concern back there with Marijuana, or as we called it local weed, our concern
was our cows eating it because they would eat the local weed and they'd walk
into fences and into trees. [Chuckles from group]
So, my grandfather's like: "Go out there into the pasture and cut up all that local
weed. Get rid of that local weed. Pile it over there and burn it. That was my
[Wag]
�experience with it. Gay people were people that were really happy. Okay? So, if
you said that someone was really gay, that means they are really laughing and
responsive, or something like that. Enrolling at the University of Michigan, we're
in line and there's probably two thousand kids ahead of me. Every five or ten
steps there would be people passing out brochures. Women's Liberation
Movement, the African-Americans, the Society for Democratic Society brochures,
Gay Society. I'm taking all these brochures--[Levi Laughing] reading these
brochures and I get to the point on the gay where it talks about homosexuality.
Now, I'm from Oklahoma. Nobody at Michigan [INAUDIBLE] sent me a line. First
thing I do is I put those things in my coat. So nobody can see me reading 'em,
because I am so embarrassed-- [INAUDIBLE] [Laughter from Levi and Wag]
Peak at it every so often. But, that was my experience when I came up here.
Four letter words in class, the 'F' word was common from our professors.
Absolutely common [Phone vibrating in background] that was something I was
never used to. It was quite an experience for an old guy from conservative
Oklahoma. [Laughter] The University of Michigan [INAUDIBLE] It was quite an
experience. There was quite a bit of adjusting I had to do. [INAUDIBLE] It was a
good time, I enjoyed it.
[Lin]
So, you started the Native American Student Association?
[Wag]
Association.
[Lin]
So what type of activities did you do or create while you were there? Because
you created NASA, correct?
[Wag]
Yes.
[Lin]
So what are some of the first things you did?
[Wag]
The first thing we did, we brought in books. They gave us a room over there to
set up a library of Native American books. There were very few there. There was
a lot of new writers. Vine Deloria, comes to mind, had written several books.
Other people had written quite a few books. We brought them in because a lot of
kids that were there, Native kids, wanted to do some papers on Native
Americans. So there wasn't a whole lot of research there, if there was it was very
twisted. That's one of the first things, we brought in some speakers. We brought
in Angela Davis. I don't know if you know who that is. Angela Davis was a activist
from California that was very supportive of the liberation army. The Black
Panthers she was very supportive of the Black Panthers, and all of that. So, it
was very controversial.
We had a lot of kids showed up for her talk. But we brought in quite a few
speakers. We brought in Vine Deloria, Angela Davis, I think there are two-three
other people that we brought in from around the country. I can't think of it now,
[Wag]
�who they were. That's what we'd do, we'd bring in speakers and started a pow
wow over there. They had had the pow wow a year before, that was university
sponsored. So, I helped work on the pow wow that year along with Paul Johnson
and Moose Pamp, and some other people. Tony Genia, and Jim Kin Cannon and
his brother John. Several people, some from Grand Rapids. I think that there
were some [INAUDIBLE] from Mt. Pleasant. I can't remember all the rest of them,
but we had quite a few students.
[Lin]
Did you think that it was gonna last?
[Wag]
Yeah we did. Yeah we did. I thought that most of the world was Haitians, you
know that were developed back then that were gonna last. But I think with the
development of the casinos, I think the federal government and county
government, and all that used that to say that you got your own money.
[INAUDIBLE] We all make so much from the casinos. [Laughter]
[Lin]
So does it make you feel good that that's still…
[Wag]
It does…
[Lin]
[INAUDIBLE]
[Wag]
I had a girl come over here from university one time. I used to collect Native
American baskets. Quill boxes--and [INAUDIBLE] baskets. And, I picked up a
hamper from a guy that was probably a twenty-six inch, twenty-seven inch
hamper. That was close to a hundred years old. I know the person that bought it
paid fifteen dollars for it because it had the price in the lid. It came Petoskey, and
the girl came over and her last name was [pause] was...I can't pronounce it...I
was gonna say McDonald, but that wasn't...Maldonado ...
[Lin]
[INAUDIBLE]
[Wag]
I can't remember.There are some Maldonado's from down and around here I
think. She came over, found out that I had these baskets. And, she came over to
buy it, because they were just starting the casino, I think. Just building a casino in
Petoskey. [Clears throat] And, they were having an exhibit up there with some of
the artwork. She came over and I asked her about it, what they were going to do
with it, and all that. She said that they were trying to get some of the older
artwork and put it there. So instead of selling it to her, I gave her four or five
baskets that came from up there.
They really appreciated it because they hadn't had any money back then. As far
as I know, it's still in their museum. Unless, she took it and sold it someplace.
[Laughter] Put it in her house, I don't know. I don't know why I'm jokin' 'bout that. I
think she was a law student.
[Wag]
�[Lin]
Allie.
[Levi]
Mhm.
[Wag]
What's her name?
[Lin]
Allie Maldonado.
[Wag]
Yes, that's who it was.
[Lin]
She's our current judge. Chief Judge.
[Wag]
In Petoskey?
[Levi]
For Little Traverse.
[Lin]
For Little Traverse.
[Levi]
Bay Bands.
[Wag]
No kidding.
[Levi]
What year would that have been back when the casino would have started? Was
it ninety...?
[Wag]
It just started when she was a senior.
[Levi]
[INAUDIBLE] Ninety-seven that they started in Petoskey.
[Lin]
The first one? Probably.
[Levi]
Yeah, right around there. I think. The bowling alley. [Laughter]
[Lin]
Yeah, the bowling alley.
[Wag]
Yeah. Yeah she--I remember she came in and said I am from the Native
American Student Association--University of Michigan. She said: "Do you know
what that is?" I said, "I know very well what that is."
I told her that I was once there and helped founded it. She was surprised at that
because she did't know that, and I told her the story that [clears throat] Where I
lived...I lived in Solane, in a trailer park. On a state road that goes into Ann Arbor
from Solane that I used to go into the university everyday. And there's a small
airport out there that had some airplanes, you know the planes had the letters N-
[Wag]
�A-S-A. So…
[Levi]
[Laughter]
[Lin]
[Laughter]
[Wag]
So, we'd get those two and take them out there. And say: "You need to come up
here, we have rolling planes." [Laughter]
[Levi]
[Laughter] That's funny.
[Wag]
[Laughter] And kids really believed that until we got there. We can fly anywhere
you want to go. We have our own airplanes here. [Laughter]
[Levi]
That's good Indian humor. [Laughter]
[Lin]
[Clears throat] So, after you finished with an NPA, you went to the Inter-tribal
Council of Grand Rapids.
[Wag]
Yes.
[Lin]
You got that forty-thousand dollar grant.
[Wag]
Well, they had that. It was in existence when I came.
[Lin]
Oh. So what were some of the programs or specific things you did in the
community.
[Wag]
They just had some, really, advocacy programs. It wasn't anything that they
actually had [Laughter] Oh, man. [Laughter] They were trying to develop some
programs. At that point in time there was an agency here in town called The Owl-Indian Outreach. It was a substance abuse program, three or four blocks...a
couple of blocks...from our agency. So, they had that for the community. Then
there was a young man who worked for the agency by the name of Fred Chivis. I
think Fred Jr. and he was like an employee...Employment Specialist. So, he
would help people find jobs in the community. That's basically all they had--If I
remember right.
[Wag]
What I do remember is, I was here just about probably two months and the wife
of one of my board members kept coming in the office and screaming at
employees that I had, and they were mostly volunteers. So, I went to her
husband and I said: "You need to keep her out of there. And if you don't, I will.
'Cause I'm not gonna have people come in and scream at my employees." His
response was: "She talks too much." and I said: "Well, she can't do it here." So,
�he didn't do anything. And the next couple days she was back in there. And I
said: "You will leave, and you will not come back until you call and make an
appointment to come back in here, or I will physically remove you." So, she left
and starting that night for about three months, I got phone calls starting about
midnight, every night. Absolutely, every night. The calls would come starting
about midnight, and would last until four and five o'clock in the morning.
[Levi]
Wow.
[Wag]
And when I answered the phone there was always the same tape or record or
whatever it was. There used to be a song about the B.I.A, and the corruption of
the B.I.A, and it referred to the people working for the B.I.A. And the song was
directed at me, how corrupt I was, and all of that. 'Course I couldn't do anything
about it, and I didn't know who it was. Well, after about three months--Well,
during that time… After about another month, when all that started. I'm looking at
all the books, and everything. And I knew they had a forty-thousand dollar grant.
They're paying their director ten-thousand dollars. They're paying their assistant
director I think...like eight-thousand dollars. They had some other expenses that
amounted to about fifteen to twenty thousand dollars. I don't remember now what
they were. And, they hadn't paid their income taxes. They'd had their withholding
taxes. So, I start asking around about, you know: "What are you doing with your
withholding taxes?" They didn't even know what I was talking about. So, I ended
up calling--I have an accounting background, I got that in Oklahoma before I
came to Michigan. So, I call Cincinnati, and I said: "I'm with Grand Rapids Intertribal Council, and we haven't been sending you our payments for the withholding
taxes." And they said: "We don't know who you are." And I said: "It's an agency,
we've got some employees, we've been withholding money (taxes) and not
sending it to you." She said: "I don't have any record of that. What it your 501 C-3
number?" Or, your business number. And, I said: "I don't know, I haven't seen it
signed here." So, she looked a little bit farther and said: "You're not even a legal
organization, you don't even have your 501 c-3." So, I say: "Okay, what do I have
to do?" and she talked to be a little bit, and they had been trying to get that, the
agency had been trying to get their 501 c-3. What they did when they put in the
application, they had a 501 capital 'c' 3. And she said the 'c' has to be a small
letter. And I said: "That's it?" And she said: "Yes." So, I said: "Okay." So, I filled
out the application and sent it back in, and probably about a week or ten days
she called and she said we got the application.
You're now legal. And, do you have any idea how much you owe the federal
government? And I said: "No, I don't. I'm trying to figure that out." Ended up
being they owed the feds about six thousand dollars. [Silence] [Chuckles] I told
her, I said: "We don't have the money to pay, ya. You're gonna have to give me
some time to do that." Well they were very gracious about it, and all that. So, I
was dealing with that. I was dealing with the board president's--not board
president--one of the board member's wives. Her family, his family they were
[Wag]
�taking shots at me every way you can take a shot at somebody. I finally found out
that one of the persons that was calling my apartment. So, I drove by his house.
He was standing in the door way. I got out of the car and started up there and
then he disappeared. I had a pretty bad reputation as a street fighter. That
followed me from Oklahoma. I knocked on the door several time. Went back, and
got back in the car. Came to the office and called the house. And, I don't know
who answered. I said: "I wanna talk to blah, blah, blah [clears throat] So, he
came on the phone and I said: "I know you're the one who is calling. I'm gonna
tell you right now, if I get one more call, one call, I don't care what time of day it
is, I don't care if it's a man, woman, child, I don't care. I am kicking your ass. Big
time, every time I see you. And that ended all the calls.[Chuckle] So then, I just
had the family to fight. [Laughter] And you can't imagine the stories that were in
the paper.
[Lin]
About the Inter-tribal Council? Or about you?
[Wag]
About me. About the Council. About how much money I was making.
[INAUDIBLE] Think they pay me, I think they payed me twelve thousand dollars
that year.
[Levi]
Hmph.
[Lin]
Hmph.
[Levi]
Let's talk about you running the Indian--The Grand Rapids Inter-tribal Council.
Talk about the climate. With the shift, like in nineteen seventy-eight came the
American Indian Freedom--
[Wag]
[INAUDIBLE]
[Levi]
--Act. President Carter signed it. All of a sudden Indians could celebrate, practice
their ceremonial practices. Talk about what happened. Like with the drumming or
anything else that happened.
[Wag]
Well, we were trying to bring in drums, and trying to bring in some cultural
programs. Okay?
And if we brought a drum into the Inter-tribal I had people on my board, and
people in the community that would not--How you doin'
[Wag]
[Unknown Person]
How ya doin' stranger? [Wag] I've been good. That would come into the
agency. They wouldn't come into the agency if we had drum in there, if we had
feathers. They would not come in.
[Levi]
And these were?
�[Wag]
Native people.
[Levi]
Local American Indian, Native people.
[Wag]
Yes.
[Levi]
Who maybe because of their Christian belief system
[Wag]
Yes.
[Levi]
Would not…
[Wag]
Yes.
[Levi]
Even walk through the doors of Grand Rapids Inter-tribal…
[Wag]
Yes.
[Levi]
Because you wanted to bring the drum and the feathers.
[Wag]
And it wasn't just me. There were other people that wanted that. That's why we
were trying to do it.
[Levi]
Okay.
[Wag]
We had people in school. The drop out rate in public school was like seventy-five
percent, at that point in time--and probably still is... No, they wouldn't come in.
They wouldn't come in and I took all kinds of pot shots about it, you know.
Heathen. I was, which I probably am. [Laughter]
[Levi]
Practicing pagan religions, or whatever the set.
[Wag]
Yeah, practicing pagan religions. [Laughter]
[Levi]
So how long would you say that those sentiments continued?
[Wag]
Still do.
[Levi]
They still do.
[Unknown Person]
[Levi]
In fact, can I add something to that?
[Laughter] Why not.
�[Unknown Voice]
They're probably even stronger today than they were then.
[Levi]
Wow.
[Wag]
Yeah, they are.
[Unknown Voice]
Yeah they really are.
[Wag]
In many cases they are. Very strong today. Tell ya' a story about my--I met a girl
up here by the name of Linda Keyway. Well, at that time she was married, and I
had gone through a divorce. Linda Dixon was her name. We decided to get
married. I wanted to have a traditional Native American wedding as I could. I got
a hold of Eddie Banai, who is a holy man in Minnesota.
[Levi]
Mhm.
[Wag]
And Eddie started the Red School House there, along with some other people.
[Levi]
He's the author of the Mishomis book, Eddie Banai?
[Wag]
He is the author of the Mishomis book.
[Levi]
Correct, okay.
[Wag]
I ask Eddie if he would administer the vows for us. I got a brother and three
sisters. They've all been away from home, at different places in their lives.
Growing up and their jobs and things of that nature. My parents had always gone
to see them. I had been in Michigan for two years. My parents had never been up
here. So, I called them and told them I was getting married. Which my mother
was dead set against. She was against divorce. [Phone chiming in the
background] And I said: "I would really like for you to be here. You and my dad."
They're both Native people. Nobody is more Native than my dad. When they got
here, after about two or three months, when we got ready to get married.
The first thing my mother said to me when she got out of the car was: "What is
this Indian stuff you're doing?" [Crying]--Excuse me just a minute. [Clears throat]
That really hurts.
[Wag]
[Levi]
Wow. Church as soon as they married. Church after they married raised all us
kids in the Methodist church and she
[Wag]
[Clears throat] And I said to her: "Will you be here? But if you're not, I'm gonna do
this. And I'm okay with it if you're not. If you don't want to see me again. I'm okay
with that. But, I'd really love for you to be here." They did come and they enjoyed
�it. But I think she had a problem with it for a long time. She was brought up as a
Presbyterian which is just about as close to reform church as you can get. My
dad was brought up as a Methodist. She changed to the Methodist Church after
they married. Raised all of us kids in the Methodist Church. I heard all of the
hellfire and brimstone crap that all the rest of the people did. Had a real problem
with my parents not owning me. My dad was very supportive of me, and she
became very supportive of me. But that was a real trying time. Because not only
was I fighting people from this community, but I was fighting Grand Rapids Public
Schools, the county, the state, the feds, everybody. Because they didn't want
Indians to make any headway. They still don't. It got nasty, I mean it got really,
really nasty. And very, very trying on me. Because I didn't have much of support
anywhere. My second wife became an alcoholic, and we divorced. She got to kill
herself.
[Levi]
Damn.
[Wag]
But...
[Levi]
But the fights that you were having with… Let's just talk a little about with the
Grand Rapids Public Schools, or the county, the city. Were they fights for money,
funding for the Inter-tribal council. Were they fights… I know even today, and
we're in twenty fifteen, that this interview is taking place. But, sometimes we have
to fight for our very existence. 'Cause we are such a small number. When
compared to the total population. Talk about some of those fights.
[Wag]
Well, one of the biggest ones was with[clears throat] the public schools. It
became very apparent to me that our kids were dropping out of school. Falling
out, quitting, just forever. It became apparent that kids would go through school
until about seventh or eighth grade. And that's where they started. We found out
that in the seventh or eighth grade is when the kids were in, I think, their phys.
ed. classes. Where competition became very, very tough. And, these kids
seemed to have trouble with that competition.
[Levi]
The Native kids?
[Wag]
The Native kids. So they would just drop out of school. They would just quit
going. There's a building here in town, Lexington, where we ended up being
there. At the time I was here we operated out of West Side Apostle Church which
is at the corner of Straight and Bridge Street. But, there was a Native American
program at Lexington where they had some classes over there. I know that we
checked on them. I had a guy that I had hired, it was, I called it my Education
Director. He had a PhD. in Education. We found out that the two years prior to us
trying to help, or work with the schools they had enrolled twenty-two students the
first year not a kid earned a credit. They had enrolled fifteen kids the year that I'm
�talkin' about, and at that time nobody was earning any credits. So, I went to the
school, talked to the director of the education program. I said: "What do we need
to do? I've got people that can recruit students. Can we get some teachers?"
They said: "You recruit the students, we'll provide the teachers for ya'." Then I
said: "Okay". So, at the start of school [clears throat] I kept calling 'em 'bout two
or three days before school star--classes started, and said: "When are you gonna
get our teachers over here?"
[Levi]
So, no teachers?
[Wag]
No teachers. No teachers.
[Levi]
Wow.
[Wag]
And, we had a hundred and thirty-seven applications. Now, every one of those
applications amounted to, at that time, I think about, fourteen hundred dollars.
Monies at the public schools were good. We still didn't have any teachers. So, I
was sitting there and I got...something happened...I got really upset. So, I got the
applications and--I'm gonna use some curse words in here--I'm gonna use words
that I used with them.
[Lin]
Go ahead.
[Levi]
We've got good editors. [Laughter]
[Unknown person]
I'm sure it's something you never heard before, right? [Laughter]
[Wag]
So, I took those applications up there and I walked into, at the time, the
administration building was on the fifth floor. I walked into the fifth floor, this
young little white girl, receptionist was sitting there at the desk. And I said: "I
wanna see Phil Runkle(?)"
[Levi]
He was the superintendent of the schools.
[Wag]
He was the superintendent of the schools.
[Unknown person]
Yeah.
[Levi]
Yes.
[Wag]
And, she said: "He's in a meeting." I said: "I don't care where he is. I wanna see
him, and I wanna see 'im right now." And she said: "Well, I can't disturb 'im--" And
I said: "Let me tell you something honey-- [INAUDIBLE] put 'em down there.
�[Levi]
[Laughter]
[Wag]
Let me tell you something honey, if I don't see Phil Runkle(?) in two minutes, I'm
gonna tear this whole goddamn place up. Everything, I'm gonna break all the
windows, I'm gonna wreck this place. She got up--
[Unknown person]
And went and got Phil Runkle(?) [Laughter]
[Wag]
She went and got Jim--What was it...Farmer. Jim came out there. Well, he's the
one I'd been working with. Jim walked in, and he said [INAUDIBLE]-- I said: "You
son of a bitch. You stay away from me, or I'll knock your fucking head right off.
[Levi]
Wow.
[Wag]
Pardon the language. So, he backed off and I said: "I wanna see Phil Runkle(?)
or I'm gonna start." So, he called back, or one of them called back and Phil
Runkle(?)came out there and said: "Wag, what's going on?" I said: "You sons of
bitches have lied to me. I have a hundred and thirty-seven applications for kids,
that they'll be showing up in about two days. And, if I don't have some teachers
there Phil I'm--" and six other people came out with him. I said: "I'm gonna come
up here and throw your goddamn ass right out that fifth floor window. And there
is not a fucking swinging dick in here that can even slow me down." [Laughter]
"Gimme some teachers, right now, gimme some teachers! How many we need.
How many teachers we need over there."
[Unknown Person]
Just like that. Just like that...
[Wag]
Next day, I had five teachers over there.
[Levi]
Wow. What-What year would that have been, Wag?
[Wag]
Seventy-five.
[Levi]
Nineteen seventy-five?
[Wag]
Yup.
[Levi]
Okay. [Laughter] Good Ol' Phil nominated me for the Outstanding [Laughter] OOutstanding Statewide whatever it was--
[Unknown Person]
[Levi]
Do you blame him? [Laughter]
I'm joking. Wag, just for the record though, was there--were there--among those
five teachers were there any Native teachers in that group?
�[Wag]
My wife. [Laughter]
[Levi]
Your wife? Wow. That's it?
[Wag]
Yeah. Linda. They didn't have any teachers there. Well, they did have some.
[Levi]
Well, they had Janette Sinclair.
[Wag]
They had Janette Sinclair. But she was working for the regular education.
[Levi]
Okay.
[Wag]
Native education program. Janette was on the board, but she wasn't one of the
teachers there.
[Levi]
Okay.
[Wag]
They had my present wife. [INAUDIBLE]
[Levi]
Okay.
[Wag]
At least that's where I met her.
[Lin]
And who is your present wife?
[Wag]
Pardon?
[Lin]
Who is your present wife?
[Unknown Person]
[Wag]
Is that her real name?
Her name was--Her name was…
[Unknown Person]
[INAUDIBLE]
[Levi]
Sammy Wheeler
[Wag]
Sandy Whiteman.
[Levi]
Whiteman?
[Wag]
And I took some crap over that.
�[Levi]
From the Indians?
[Wag]
Yes.
[Unknown Person]
Because of her name.
[Wag]
Name. Yes. [Laughter]
[Wag]
I had people workin' in Inter-tribal that if white people came in there, they
wouldn't speak to them.
[Unknown Person]
[Wag]
[INAUDIBLE]
They wouldn't even wait on them. Tony, he was one of them. [Laughter] Tony!
Tony! Was one of them. She wouldn't even wait on them.
[Unknown Person] You know, what's funny about that. They resented that and they didn't
resent the white man's religion. [Laughter]
[Wag]
So, it went on and on. We did some good, we probably graduated better than
four hundred and somethin' students. So, over the course of the time I was there,
a lot of them went to college. Had some good people work for Inter-tribal. Your
mother [Laughs] Your mother was one that was good. She worked on our Indian
Child Welfare Department. Who made a lot of change at the state level. Through
her efforts and her bossin' Jonah Rayfields (?) office. A lot of changes.
[Lin]
Hm.
[Levi]
Talk about the connection that the Grand Rapids Inter-tribal Council may have
had with the American Indian Movement. A.I.M
[Wag]
Um, not much. I worked in Oklahoma with a group call Oklahoman's for Indian
Opportunity. It was started by...
[Levi]
Ladonna Harris.
[Wag]
Ladonna Harris, and a good friend of hers. Iola Hayden(?) O.I.O and the
American Indian Movement was really cross ways. I mean they just didn't like
one another. 'Course there wasn't a whole lotta people left of the American
Indian Movement back then. [Laughter] So, I was a little bit cautious, because I
had got involved with them, not totally involved with them. But when I was in the
University of Michigan, we had a lot of students that went to--
�[Levi]
[INAUDIBLE]
[Wag]
Washington.
[Levi]
Washington D.C. for the take over.
[Wag]
For the take over. The B.I.A. office is over there. We had a lot of students that
went. I didn't go. I didn't go, I had three young kids, and a wife in Oklahoma--er,
an ex-wife in Oklahoma. And, I thought: "I can't get in jail." [Chuckles]
[Levi]
So, that was November of nineteen seventy-two that that took place.
[Wag]
Yeah.
[Levi]
Yeah.
[Wag]
Well, it was right after that too.
[Levi]
Okay.
[Wag]
Cause that's when they really got in there and took over everything. We had
Wounded Knee, South Dakota. We have people from here that flew out to South
Dakota to deliver supplies. We had people that--
[Levi]
Now, was that Native or Non-Native.
[Wag]
There was no Native that did the flying.
[Levi]
That did the flying.
[Wag]
But there was Native that helped--
[Unknown Person]
There were some non-Natives that came out too.
[Levi]
But, what type of supplies did they send?
[Wag]
I think there was food, not any ammunition, I don't think. No ammunition. But, I
think it was food.
[Levi]
Food, blankets, clothing--
[Wag]
Yeah things like that.
[Unknown Person]
Water.
�[Wag]
And water, yeah.
[Levi]
Would you say that the Grand Rapids Inter-tribal Council was kind of a convener
that they collected these items, these supplies?
[Wag]
Uh, we didn't have--
[Levi]
Or was it separate from the Grand Rapids Inter-tribal Council?
[Wag]
It was separate from that, but I think the Odawa(?)Outreach did, they had a
building down on Turner street.
[Levi]
Kay.
[Wag]
Right behind where Sullivan's Carpets was...If you remember there was an old--
[Levi]
Red building.
[Wag]
And I think that they collected them, and the guy that flew them out there was
probably helpin' coordinate that. That happened to be Jennet's husband, Percy
Sinclair. That flew out there. But, it was very controversial. I was just talking
about the F.B.I and all that commin' in earlier. You know, they came in ta the
office. Wanted to know, because our phones were tapped. I had a red file when
they finally decided to release all that stuff. I think that was from the University of
Michigan, because any organized Native group, the members are gonna have
red files.
That's really just how it is. But it was--There was a lot of non-Native people that
supported. Just like there was a lot of non-Natives that supported the AfricanAmerican movement.
[Wag]
[Levi]
Exactly.
[Wag]
If you remember. Wouldn't have happened if they hadn't been.
[Lin]
Mmhm.
[Unknown Person]
That's so important to remember that, not all white people are bad.
[Wag]
Right, right.
[Levi]
What would you say the, if you were to sum up, the Grand Rapids Inter-tribal
Council's leadership? What did it provide to the Indian community? As you recall,
after all these years? You haven't served there for what? Nineteen years as
�[Wag]
executive director. But, what would you say was the calling-card for Grand
Rapids Inter-tribal Council?
I think it was just the place for people to come to. I really, really do. Whether they
were involved in the programs or not. Or, just as a social gathering place.
[Unknown Person]
It's kinda like a fallout shelter. [Laughter]
[Wag]
It ended up being like that.
[Levi]
But it provided a means of cohesiveness for the community?
[Wag]
It did.
[Levi]
Kept the community together?
[Wag]
Yeah, it did.
[Levi]
I don't wanna put words in your mouth. But I just wanna--
[Wag]
It did. I had people, that after I left there and went up north, and it finally closed
down, people ya' know that told me--that they said: "You know, after you left, we
never went back to Inter-tribal." And of course you knew there was a while there
before you took over. You couldn't-- and a lot of those people went back to living
on Reservations. Or, back to their real home, and didn't come in. But, I think the
main thing was that we had--and we had some programs that we had.
[Wag]
We had substance abuse programs, we mental health programs, we had the job
training program.
[Unknown Person]
[Wag]
And food assistance program.
Yes, food assistance, and senior meals.
[Unknown Person]
Right.
[Wag]
So there was an awful lot of things that's goin' on there that the people of the
community came in and organized while they were there at that point in time.
[Levi]
What-One of the things we are trying to do with this project is really to get a
sense of what it was like to be Native during that time in the city--the urban
setting. Whether they were here through relocation programs--
[Wag]
A lot of them were.
�[Levi]
and driven to the city for education. Or, employment opportunities. Give us a
sense of what the climate was like back then.
[Wag]
Well--While the people wanted to help the attitude was, we wanna make you like
us.
[Levi]
Of the non-Natives.
[Wag]
Yeah, yeah. We wanna make you like-like your "Everest" Doug DeVos.
[Levi]
Mhm.
[Wag]
And, he implied something to that effect. we wanna help you become--
[Unknown Person]
[Wag]
Like us.
Like a good dark complected Christians, ya know? Been there, did that!
[Laughter] Didn't work! I said something to him, that I probably shouldn't 'av said.
I don't even know what I said now. But it was something to the effect of: "We
don't live like you. We don't wanna be like white people. We have people thatthat are against the Christian church-- Against Christianity and all its forms.
People that suffer because of that. I myself was a Christian when I came up here.
I'm not anymore. But--
[Unknown Person]
By the way, Doug told me about you telling him that.
[Wag]
Uh huh. Well we never-[Unknown Person]
But, I also told him. I said: "Do you have any idea what they went through
under the banner of Christianity.
[Wag]
[Laughter]
[Unknown Person]
I said: "Just go up to a place like Mount Pleasant, and look at the
orphanage. And ask some of the Indians what they did to 'em."
[Wag]
Yeah.
[Unknown Person]
[Wag]
Yeah.
[Unknown Person]
[Wag]
How they forced them to speak another language.
Yeah.
How they stole them from their parents.
�[Unknown Person]
[Wag]
Absolutely. Well, they cut their hair. I mean, you know.
[Unknown Person]
[Wag]
Cut their hair, made 'em speak different language.
Put 'em all in the same uniform. Yeah.
[Unknown Person]
[Wag]
Dennis Banks was a good example of that.
Yeah.
You couldn't speak your language. And all that kinda thing.
[Unknown Person]
They also abused so many of those kids.
[Wag]
Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. One--One of the attitudes, I think Levi, that we went into
here--I remember we had some money from the city--the--
[Levi]
The CD-- The Community Block Grant Money.
[Wag]
Block Grant Money, yeah. Been a long time.
[Levi]
Community Block Grant--CDBG. Yes.
[Wag]
Yeah, Block Grand money.
[Unknown Person]
[Wag]
[Laughter]
I had--Do you remember Howard Greenstra(?)
[Unknown Person]
Yeah. Yeah.
[Levi]
The city manager. Yes.
[Wag]
Well, no city manager--
[Levi]
No--I'm sorry he was a city commissioner.
[Unknown Person]
Right.
[Wag]
He was the city commissioner.
[Levi]
Greenstra, that's right.
�[Wag]
But, he was the chair of the city board.
[Unknown Person]
Right.
[Levi]
Yes.
[Wag]
Said to me, in a meeting, Howard said a lot of things to me.
[Levi]
[Laughter]
[Wag]
I said a few things to Howard. Uh, said to me [INAUDIBLE] at a commission
meeting, committee meeting; "Why have we given you guys money for four
years? How long do you think it's going to take to really help 'ya?
[Levi]
Are you serious?
[Wag]
I am. And I said: "Well, let's see. It took ya four-hundred years to [INAUDIBLE]
[Unknown Person]
[Laughter] [Wag] Maybe we should think in terms of four hundred years?
[Unknown Person]
Yeah, how'd ya like that?
[Levi]
I'm sure, by the time that I got there, I think it was only fifteen thousand dollars a
year. Maybe at your time your time, you probably started at about five or six.
[Wag]
Ten.
[Levi]
Ten.
[Wag]
Ten-thousand.
[Levi]
Oh, so just wait till the...that's kind of a little off. But--I want to say it. That they
expect us to give us two fishes and five loaves of bread.
[Wag]
We're dividers.
[Levi]
Go. Go--Go feed the multitude. Expect us to go solve all the problems, and I will
tell people this all the time. I'm not Jesus Christ. I cannot perform miracles with
this little sum of money you have given us. It's just not gonna happen.
[Wag]
No. no.
[Levi]
I do that on purpose to throw their own scripture back to their face so they get the
�point.
[Wag]
Well, let me tell you somethin' about Howard again, that's really, really
interesting, I think. At that time the museum had twenty-nine--the remains of
twenty-nine Native people that came out of the mounds.
[Levi]
Okay.
[Lin]
Grand Rapids Public Museum?
[Wag]
Yes, Grand Rapids Public Museum. There was a real fight going on throughout
the country, about getting the remains back and out of museums. The guy that
dug those mounds up, was a guy by the name of Richard Flanders. Who was an
anthropology professor at Grand Valley. And--bitter enemies. Bitter enemies. We
finally became friends right before he died. [Laughter] I don't know what that
meant. I mean acquaintances.
[Unknown Person]
[Wag]
How did you accomplish that? [Laughter]
I noticed something [INAUDIBLE]
[Unknown Person]
That was my next point.
[Wag]
But the fight was really going on, and we couldn't even get them to move. I mean
they didn't want to give anything back. Those were scientific remains--they were
studying the science to it-- Find out how you people ate, what you ate, and how
you--ask us! We'll tell you what we ate. A lot of people can tell you what we ate
back then! [Laughter] I mean it was just kind of a joke in these commission
meetings. But they finally-- and this was introduced by Howard, bless his heart.
But they finally said, we are going to return the remains that we can deem as
historical. And we are gonna to keep the remains that we deem as pre-historic.
Keep the pre-historic so that we can study them scientifically. But, those that we
can deem to be historic, return to the community. You know what date they
pass? Fourteen ninety-two. That's a resolution that the city commissioner of
Grand Rapids approved. Fourteen ninety-two. So, if anybody wants to know
when pre-historic time ended--it's fourteen ninety-two. And then he asked me,
when I said: "Hell, Howard. Nobody here but Indians till fourteen ninety-two.
[Levi]
[Laughter]
[Wag]
And then he said: "How can you have-- [INAUDIBLE] Minister of a Christian
Reform church--how can you as people make the association or connection with
people that lived two thousand years ago?
�[Unknown Person]
[Laughter] What was his answer?
[Wag]
You're a Christian minister, and you want me to answer that? Come on. That
ended the conversation.
[Levi]
The basis of Christianity is two thousand years ago. When Jesus walked the
earth. I get your point.
[Wag]
I mean that's the--
[Levi]
That's incredible.
[Wag]
It was incredible.
[Levi]
So, his question was--Just so we get this right-- How could you connect back two
thousand years? What connection you had?
[Wag]
Yeah.
[Levi]
But yet, as a Christian minister, he couldn't see it?
[Wag]
No.
[Levi]
Okay.
[Unknown Person]
[Wag]
In fact, you can go way beyond.
Absolutely.
[Unknown Person]
Way beyond--[INAUDIBLE]
[Levi]
I think the Norton Mound remains, pre-date when Jesus walked the earth fromfrom what I've learned from history.
[Wag]
Well, there's some in UP, there's not supposed to be any up there but there are. I
had a girl that worked for me that found them up there.
[Levi]
To your recollection why do they call them the Hopewell Mounds?
[Wag]
I think there was a tribe, I don't know, I think there was a tribe that they called
Hopewell people. I don't even know what that associates with, I don't have any
idea. It might have been a name that--
[Unknown Person]
Norton.
�[Levi]
I heard he was a farmer out in Ohio. That-That I guess they have mounds there.
[Wag]
Oh, yeah they do.
[Levi]
They associated the two, they connected them. They said: "Oh, they have to be
Hopewell people." Though really it's named after the--
[Unknown Person]
[Levi]
Farms.
[Unknown Person]
[Levi]
Do you know the name of the mounds--
--downtown where the museum is?
Yeah
[Unknown Person]
That whole area was going to be a parking lot. And Randy Brown and I
were on the board, and I told him. I said: "If you don't make those Indian mounds-turn em' Wag Wheeler over them. [Laughter]
[Wag]
Wha-what?
[Unknown Person]
Really! They were gonna make that a parking lot.
[Wag]
I hadn't heard that!
[Wag]
I'm sorry can I get--[INAUDIBLE] As you know...
[Levi]
No, no. This is great stuff! Our Christia-excuse me--Our questions are strictly a
guide. But given the fact that you've run the Grand Rapids Inter-tribal council,
you're going to be a little different in that you know things at a different level than
some of the other people we're gonna interview.
[Lin]
Can I take a break real quick?
[Levi]
Yes, yes.
[Lin]
Can I use your computer and have it plugged into the wall? So, I can plug it into
here?
[Levi]
Yes.
[Lin]
This sat here so long that the battery is dead.
�[Levi]
Let me go get my electrical cord. [Sneezing] That's no problem.
�
https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/15daeb4a8d0a27ce0234ba3dddbf1c7c.mp3
5251e4f3d7897ce5c40a86e5dc4ca97b
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
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Gi-gikinomaage-min Interviews
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Grand Valley State University. Native American Advisory Council
Grand Valley State University. Kustche Office of Local History
Description
An account of the resource
Interviews with members of Grand Rapids' urban Native American population collected as part of the Gi-gikinomaage-min Project: Defend Our History, Unlock Your Spirit.
Translated from Anishinaabemowin, the original language of this area, Gi-gikinomaage-min means "We are all teachers." This is the name our project team choose to convey to the Native American community that through our stories and experiences, we are all teachers to someone. As we share those stories, we are allowing for our next generations to experience the past.
Grand Rapids’ Native American community grew dramatically in the last half of the 20th century as a result of a little-known federal program that still impacts American Indian lives today. Called the Urban Relocation Program, it created one of the largest mass movements of Indians in American history. The full scope of this massive social experiment and its impact on multiple generations of Native Americans remains largely undocumented and unexplored.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2015/2016
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Gi-gikinomaage-min Project
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
In Copyright
Subject
The topic of the resource
Indians of North America
Indians of North America--Michigan
Indians of North America--Education
Potawatomi Indians
Bode'wadmi
Ojibwa Indians
Anishinaabe
Navajo Indians
Dine'e
Cherokee Indians
Tsagali
Aniyunwiya
Archaeology
Mound-builders
Hopewellian culture
Indian arts--North America
Personal narrativse
Grand Rapids (Mich.)
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. Special Collections & University Archives
Identifier
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DC-10
Format
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audio/mp3
video/mp4
application/pdf
Type
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Sound
Moving Image
Text
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Oral History
A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Identifier
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DC-10_Wheeler_Wagner_0615
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Wheeler, James Wagner "Wag"
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2015-04-23
Title
A name given to the resource
Wag Wheeler interview (audio and transcript)
Description
An account of the resource
James Wagner "Wag" Wheeler was born in eastern Oklahoma to Cherokee parents in 1935. In his life in Salisaw, Oklahoma, Wheeler worked as an accountant and administrator until becoming the Executive Director of Oklahoma Indian Opportunity. After the organization lost its funding, he moved to Michigan to pursue a masters degree in public administration from the University of Michigan. There, he co-founded the Native American Student Association of UM, and was recruited to be the Executive Director of the Grand Rapids Inter-Tribal Counter and became a major contributor to local Native American social services for 18 years. He served as the CEO of Grand Traverse Band of the Ottawa and Chippewa Indians for two years. In this interview, he discusses his life and experiences as a community leader trying to reinvigorate Native cultural traditions in Grand Rapids community.
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
Bardwell, Belinda (Interviewer)
Rickert, Levi (Interviewer)
Subject
The topic of the resource
Cherokee Indians
Tsagali
Aniyunwiya
Personal narratives
Grand Rapids (Mich.)
Indians of North America
Indians of North America--Michigan
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Gi-gikinomaage-min Project
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a>
Type
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Sound
Text
Format
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audio/mp3
application/pdf
Language
A language of the resource
eng
-
https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/8b090d27990ea8814d11aac6fe04ad7b.pdf
7807bbce9da905c5a8d20a9e861cb9f0
PDF Text
Text
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POWWOW
SATURDAY
NOVEMBER 13, 1993
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Remembering The Forgotten Warrior
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FORD FIELDHOUSE
Grand Rapids, Michigan
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187
1231
828
730
2151
730
8000
VETERANS COMMITTEE
VETERANS COMMITTEE
VETERAND COMMITTEE
VETERANS COMMITTEE
MEMBERSHIP
MEMBERSHIP
MEMBERSHIP
RETIREES
STATE EMPLOYEES
®~
119-M
�~ cteran Pow-ffro
_Hcmoring All Veterans ~
November 13, 1993
Head Veteran Dancers ................... Frank Bush and Josie Cogswell
Host Drum ............ Little Weasel Thunderchild Singers (Shingue-sase)
Head Dancers ................................. George and Syd Martin
Master of Ceremonies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill Memberto
Arena Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ron Peters Barz
GRAND ENTRY 1 :00 PM AND 7:00 PM
FLAG SONG
INVOCATION
INTRODUCTION OF HEAD DANCERS
VETERANS' SONG
INTER-TRIBAL DANCING
CLOSING CEREMONIES 9:00 PM
(Break for dancers 5:00 pm - 7 pm)
Sponsored by:
Grand Rapids Inter-Tribal Council
Grand Rapids Community College
Assisted by:
VET Center
�THE POW-WOW
The Anishnabe people have been honoring their veterans for as long as there has been warriors. The teachings
tell us that the Veterans POW-WOW was initiated by the women of the Midewi win Society to honor their warriors.
During the 70's this POW-WOW was held in Hopkins burg, MI, later in the 70's it moved to Allegan, MI, and in the
latter part of the 1980's came to Grand Rapids and was held as a cultural gathering at the West Side Complex, where
it was sponsored by the Grand Rapids Inter-tribal Council. In 1991 the Grand Rapids Community College invited
the Anishnabe to the Ford Fieldhouse as a Co-sponsor with the Grand Rapids Inter-Tribal Council with the assistance
of the Vet Center, and has been held there 3 years. The POW-WOW has historical, spiritual, and social value to
Native American people. In addition to participating in the traditional dance and song, Native American people visit
with family and friends, make new acquaintances, and trade their arts and crafts. The POW-WOW has also become
a means of providing an opportunity for cultural sharing with non-Native American people. During the POW-WOW,
wisdom passes from elders to the children. To Native American people, the elders and children are particularly
important. Both the young, who are just beginning their journey through life, and the elders, who are near the
completion of their journey, share a closeness to the Creator. To those who have newly arrived and to those who will
soon leave it, the world is especially beautiful.
�BEAD POW WOW PEOPLE
Coordination of events during a Pow Wow is very important. In order to keep things running smoothly, the "Head People"
are asked to take major responsibilities for the Pow Wow. They are selected for their knowledge, skill, and ability to carry out
their tasks. It is a great honor to be selected as one of the Head People.
BEAD VETERAN DANCER
The Head Veteran Dancer is one of the most important dancers in the Pow Wow. He is the dancer who carries the eagle
feather staff during Grand Entry and represents all Native Americans who have given their service and lives in defense of our
country. He leads the rest of the dancers into the arena during Grand Entry.
Head Veteran Dancer - Frank Bush , U.S.
Marine Corps , Wounded WWII
The Head Veteran Dancer is one of the
most important dancers in the Pow Wow. He
is the dancer who carries the flag during the
Grand Entry and represents all of the Indian
people who gave their lives for our country.
He also is the dancer who leads the rest of the
dancers in the Grand Entry. Frank Bush is of
the Eagle Clan Potawatomi from Southwestern Michigan. He belongs to the Huron &
Pokagon Bands of Potawatomi. Frank Bush
has dedicated his life to Indian causes and
culture . He is a respected elder and teacher of
the Native American ways
Head Veteran Dancer - Josie Cogswell,
Grand River Band Ottawa, U.S. Women's
Army Corp., 1955 to 1957. Head Veteran
Dancer, 1stannualBuckyTeeple POW-WOW,
Muskegon, Ml, Three Fires POW-WOW ,
Grand Rapids, Ml, 1992and 1993. Vets POWWOW, 1992.
�HEAD
DANCERS
George and Sydney Martin consider being selected as Head Dancers for the Veterans POW-WOW
an honor. They begin each dance and guide or direct
the other dancers in the proper social and cultural
tableaus that have been and are so much a part of the
Indian tradition and culture. They are knowledgeable
and respectful of the POW-WOW protocol, history
and traditions as well as each being able dancers in
their own right.
George is a Lac Courte Orielles Ojibwa, Lynx
Clan, First Degree Mide', Three Fires Lodge,
Midewiwin Society. He is dedicated to the traditional
ways and on passing them along to his children and
grandchildren and is sharing with other interested
Native Americans. George has given many years of
"We're mindful and thankful of the revitalization and responsibiliservice to the Native and non-Native community at
ties of our activism whenever we're asked to share the traditions
the State, regional and local levels. Some of his
of our culture with old and new friends."
current involvements are the Spirit People Inc. Board
of Directors, Dorr American Legion, Hopkinsburg V.F.W., and conducting Mide' ceremonies for Anishnabe
inmates at both Jackson and Muskegon Correctional prisons. George served in the U.S.A.F. during the Korean arid
Vietnam eras and was honorable discharged in 1964. Since that time he has worked for and retired from Rockwell
International, Allegan, MI. George's father served in the U.S. Army in W.W. I, as did two of his uncles. George points
out that they served, as did many Ojibwa men, before the Native Americans were granted American citizenship by
an Act of Congress in 1928. George and Sydney have been married for 34 years and are the parents of four children.
They have three daughters and one son who is currently serving as a U.S. Army Sergeant in Kuwait.
Sydney Martin is Pottawattorni, Wolf Clan, First Degree Mide', Three Fires Lodge, Midewiwin Society. Syd is
the only child of renowned basket maker Gladys Sands. Syd's father was Harvey Harper, WW II M.I.A. Sydney too,
creates an occasional basket but enjoys making traditional clothing. In September, Sydney was named by the
Kellogg Foundation (administered by the Nokomis Learning Center) as a Great Lakes Native Woman Artist (for
clothing art) to a year long learning project. Sydney is a life-long resident of the Hopkins area except for the U .S .A.F.
years. Syd's current involvements include serving on the Board of Directors of West Michigan Environmental
Action Council (W .M.E.A. C.), County of Allegan Leadership League (C.A.L.L.) and M.S .U. Extension for Allegan
County
�MASTER OF CEREMONIES
It is the responsibility of the M.C. to coordinate the POW WOW activities and keep events
running smoothly. All announcements, information and explanation of events are made by the
M.C. The M.C. must have knowledge of all the songs, dances, customs, culture, tribes, and
general information about POW WOWS as he is expected to explain all aspects of POW WOW
activities. He must be active for the entire duration of the POW WOW.
Bill Memberto is an Odawa/Ojibway from the Western Michigan area. He has been active in the Pow-wow circuit for
many years. He has been a member of several drums from the Michigan and has served as M.C. of various Pow-wows
throughout the Great Lakes area. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army serving from 1962-1966. Bill has served as a community
activist at the local, state and federal levels. He has worked for and directed various health and human services initiatives both
in the Western Michigan and the Southeastern Michigan areas. He was a member of the Governors Commission on Indian
Affairs from 1979-1981 for the Southeastern Michigan area and then from 1982-1988 for the Western Michigan area. He is
presently the Chairperson of the Multi-Cultural Standing Committee for the Department of Mental Health. Bill received his
bachelors degree form Ferris State University and his Masters Degree from Grand Valley State University School of Social
Work. His daughter Angie lives in the Houghton Lake area and attends college and directs a photography studio in that area.
Bill is presently employed by the Counseling Center at Ferris State University and also teaches in the Social Work Department.
ARENA
DIRECTOR
The Arena Director is often the busiest person at the Pow Wow. He is responsible for coordinating everything
which will ensure the dancing commences smoothly. If any singerordancer
has a problem with anon-site deficiency,
the arena director makes every effort to
remedy the situation. He must make sure
all the drummers and dancers have everything they need to participate in the
pow wow. He coordinates Grand Entries and specialty dances plus deals
with anyone who may be behaving inappropriately during the dancing or in the
arena.
�THE GRAND ENTRY
The Grand Entry is the first dance of the Pow Wow. The dancers enter the dance circle arena from the east in a single file.
The Eagle Staff (representing Native American nations) and the United States flag are carried atthe head of the line. The dancers
at the front of the line have a place of honor, respect, and responsibility. The dancers create a circle on the outer perimeter of
the dance area, representing the sacred circle. Participants signal Grandfather and their ancestors to witness this physical
testimony of the continuation of traditional values.
MEN'S
TRADITIONAL DANCE
Acting out feats of bravery through dance, dancers use story telling movements. They represent an older, distinguished sector of the Pow Wow. The
Southern, orstraighttraditional dancers, wear ribbon-skirted regalia with bead work
piecesof hide, and a red roach headdress of porcupine quills or horsehair, but no
bustle; they assume a dignity of movement. Moving clockwise around the drum,
Northern dancers imitate animals with side-to-side movements of their heads.
Typically, they wear buckskin, on bustle, leggings, a breast plate of bone and a
roach; they often use mirrors to reflect back what is given.
What to watch for: Most interesting is watching the story line develop as each
dancer challenges the enemy. Even with the slow tempo, the rhythm must be in
harmony with the drum. Try to interpret each motion and compare the different
ways dancers imitate the eagle or the porcupine.
Jerry Pigeon, Sr., Eagle Clan,
Potawatoml, Traditional Dancer,
Weekaun (spiritual officer) of the
Mide' Widjig, Vietnam Veteran.
WOMEN'S
TRADITIONAL DANCE
This dance of honor reflects the women in Indian society, including their roles as
givers of life, keepers of home and family, decision-makers, and heads of households.
Northern dancers dance in one position or area. Southern dancers move clockwise
around the drum. Although styles of dress vary, buckskin or cloth dresses with ribbons
and shells are often worn.
What to watch for: Discipline is essential to the slow, graceful movements of the
dance. Dancing in perfect harmony with the drum, while never breaking the sedate spirit,
is the essence of the dance. The dips and sways are executed with no break in dignity.
Virginia Pigeon, Traditional Dancer.
Elder and member of Cedar Women's
Society, Mide' Wldjig.
�INTER-TRIBAL DANCES
The dances are sometime called friendship dances and are a chance for everyone to join in the dancing. It is not necessary
to be dressed in regalia to participate. The Master of Ceremonies will often announce the inner-tribals, which make up the
largest portion of the dances, and encourage the audience to join in.
GRASS DANCE
The people travelled and often made a new camp. Different tasks were given to those most suitef for them. The energy of
young men made it natural for them to help set up a dancing place. As the grass was very tall in the days before the land was
worked into farms, a group of young men moved around the common area and with their feet pushed down the grass, pressing
it again and again until the area was more comfortable to move through. Their movements recalled the wind restlessly swirling
the grass.
..L
MEN'S FANCY
DANCE
WOMEN'S FANCY
DANCE
Today's men's colorful Fancy Feather dance based on the
traditional and Warrior Society dances. The dancer's talent
and skill is reflescted in his foorwork, body movements and
his ability to stay in step with the drumbeat.
What to watch for: Following the rhythm of the drum
with the steps, the motion of the head and the flow of the body
are important elements in the Fancy Dance. Since the steps
are individual, the expression of the emotion of the music
and the change of pace from the slowernorthern style to the
faster southern beat are important. As in all Native American
dancing, the finish in exact time with the song is significant
in the judging.
This dance is popular with young women today as a
competitive piece at Powwows. It may have originated as
the Butterfly Dance. When her mate is killed in battle, the
female butterfly mourns and goes into her cocoon as interpreted with the shawl. Her emergence celebrates freedom
and a new life. The dancer makes her colorful shawl, worn
over the shoulders, dance with her. Creativity and smoothness are the keys to an outstanding performance.
What to watch for: Since each dancer has her own
individual style, the essence is how well the steps and
motions express and harmonize with the drums. Being in
time with the beat is important, as is the ability to end the
dance precisely.
�THE JINGLE
DRESS DANCE
At a time when there was widespread sickness and weakness among the people,
many people were searching for a way to restore the health of the community. A
young Chippewa girl had a dream in which she saw how effective prayers could be
made. The next day she went to a wise grandmother, a medicine woman, who helped
her with the realization of her dream. They sewed onto a dress of beautiful fabric
many small cones of metal. Each one went with a prayer. And, when it was worn in
the dance, the dress made a jingling sound recalling the saying of constant prayers.
THE SACRED
We dance within the Sacred Circle and become all that it represents. All things contained within the Circle are equal within
it. The Circle is the Universe. It is change, life, death, birth, and learning. It is the cycle of all things that exist; our way of
touching and experiencing harmony with all other things. All things of the Circle have life and spirit; the rocks, Earth, sky,
plants, and animals. Our spirit is determined and made whole only through the learning or harmony with all our relatives, the
other spirits of the Circle. And the Circle is the way of seeking this understanding; it is our mirror. (Adapted from Seven Arrows
Hyemeyohsts Storm)
The Pow Wow grounds are arranged in a series of circles: the drum, the drummers, the singers, the dancers, the dance area,
and the traders.
"You have noticed that everything an Indian does is in a circle, and that is because the Power of the World always works
in circles, and everything tries to be round. In the old days, when we were a strong and happy people, all our power came to
us from the sacred hoop of the nation, and so long as the hoop was unbroken, the people flourished. The flowering tree was
the living center of the hoop, and the circle of the four quarters nourished it. The east gave peace and light, the south gave
warmth, the west gave rain, and the north with its cold and mighty wind gave strength and endurance. This knowledge came
to us form the outer world with our religion. Everything the Power of the World does is done in a circle. The sky is round, and
I have heard that the earth is round like a ball, and so are all the stars. The wind, in its greatest power, whirls. Birds make their
nests in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours. The sun comes forth and goes down again in a circle. Even the seasons
form a great circle in their changing, and al ways come back again to where they were. The life of a man is a circle from childhood
to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves. Our tepees were round like the nests of birds, and these were always
set in a circle, the nation's hoop, a nest of many nests, where the Great Spirit meant for us to hatch our children."
(John G . Niehardt, Black Elk Speaks, 1959, p. 164-165)
�Vietnam Veterans of America
KENT COUNTY
CHAPTER NO. 18
P.O. Box 1766
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49501
616-361-8175 - Home
616-534-3133 - V.V.A.
�GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
Food Centers, Inc.
Grand Rapids Area Plants
JOO 1 Orchard Vista Drive
Post Office 13ox 878
Grand Rapids. Ml 49588-0878
~U/l0/4J,
~~
.. to support the veterans in our community...
o/o/F~Pn A~/e~~
In support of the Pow-Wow
personal donations by:
Kenneth and Juanita Leash
Jerry and Mary Roberts
In support of the veterans
Gift Certificates from:
The Bun Basket
Palermo Pizza Place
Wise Buys
Fields Fabrics
1•
I
All hospitality food donors
The student volunteers of the following colleges:
Grand Rapids Community College
Grand Valley State University
Calvin College
Aquinas College
�Woro WoMAJ.J
,,
Karin Orr, PH.D.
Columnist, Food and Features Writer,
Television Host, Speaker and
Workshop Presenter
Trade-mark ®
1975 Timber Trail, Ada, Ml 49301
(616) 676-2300 • Fax (616) 676-8861
Thank you, forgotten Warrior
Potpourri
Flowers & Gifts that last
Honoring all veterans of the community
... ,
SHELDON
Ji/
q We Salute the Veterans
Barb Bush
(616) 245-4962
2404 Eastern Avenue S,E.
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
©• • •itmark
MIKE'S RESTAURANT AND CATERING
Your Place or Ours
Wedding Receptions
Bowling Banquets
Class Reunions
Rehearsal Dinners
Anniversaries
Business Meetings
Menus For Any Occasion
3526 Chicago Drive, Hudsonville
669-0340
Salutes the Vet
RANDY
DISSELKOEN
LTD.
3090 - 28th Street, S.E.
Grand Rapids, Michigan
616 I 942-2990
,,
MEIJER.
2929 WALKER AVENUE, N.W.
GRAND RAPIDS, Ml 49504-9428
gordon food service
Tony Betten Ford
�In Touch
D E F . A R ~ STORE
1001 W. 28th ST. • GRAND RAPIDS, Ml 49509 • 616-538-6000
Remembering
our for gotten
Warriors
EDS
HELPING
FRIENDS OF THE
VIETNAM VETERANS
MEMORIAL
Volunteers
EDS/ CLCD Grand Rapids Metal Center
• Sharon Mortensen
- Mary Carr
EDS / AC Rochester
%~
· Pat Spoelhof
· Dawn Braford
· Delores Bigelow
EDS / Inland Fisher Gulde
· Bill Nebe
· Chris Talsma· McLean
In Touch Volunteer
Jack C. De Boer Jr.
We're proud of you.
At NBD, we're proud to serve you from our offices throughout the area.
We're also pleased to belong to a community rich in organizations that provide
high-quality programs and activities.
Thank you for making this a great place to live and work.
WJ
The right bank can make adifference.
Copyright 1993, NBD/Member FDIC
�MICHIGAN REGIONAL OFFICES
DONALD W. RIEGLE, JR.
CENTRAL
MICHIGAN
COMMITTEES :
BANKING , HOUSING , ANO
URBAN AFFAIRS: Chairman
FINANCE:
Subcommittee on
Health for Families
and the Uninsured:
Chairman
BUDGET
tlnittd ~tatt.s ~matt
WASHINGTON. DC 20510-2201
(202) 224-4822
800 Washington Square Bldg.
109 W . Michigan Ave.
Lansing, Ml 48933
AGING
(313) 226-3188
EASTERN
Su1te910
SOUTHEASTERN
Century Center Bldg., 3d Floor
35 2 S. Sagmaw St
30800 Van Dyke
Flint, Ml 48502
Warren, Ml 48093
1313) 766-5115
(313) 573-9017
UPPER PENINSULA
200 W. Washington
Marquena, Ml 49855
WESTERN
Suite 7 16 Federal Bldg.· ·
110 Michigan Ave .. N.W.
Grand Rapids. Ml 49503
1906) 228-7'57
(616) 456-2592
Telecommunications
Device for the Deaf
NORTHERN-LOWER
309 Front Street
Traverse City, Ml 49685
(517) 377-1899
Grand Rapids Inter-Tribal Council
45 Lexington, NW
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504
Suite 343
Detroit, Ml 48207
1517) 377-1713
Room 323, P.O. Bldg.
November 13, 1993
WAYNE-MONROE
1155 Brewery Park Blvd.
(616) 946-1300
Dear Friends:
Thank you for your thoughtful invitation to the Grand Rapids area
annual Veterans' Pow Wow. As much as I would like to join you
today at the Ford Fieldhouse, prior commitments will not allow me
to do so.
t
As you honor area veterans in this very special ceremony, we are
reminded of our nation's heritage and diversity which unites us
and is the source of our strength. We shall never forget the
Forgotten Warriors - those special servicemen whom you honor
today - for their bravery and devoted service.
Ceremonies like
today's Pow Wow demonstrate our people's resolv~ nev~r to jorget
the ultimate sacrifices of so many of our loved ones.
I will truly miss being with you.
DWR/smj
SPECIAL RECOGNITION OF FORGOTTEN WARRIORS
Korean War
July 27, 1993 marked the 40th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice. The War lasted three years and 32 days. The war was fought
between the communist North Korea and China against South Korea and 22 United Nations (U.N.) including the United States. This was
the first major war of the nuclear age. Korea turned out to be struggle of wills - whether communism or individual freedom would prevail.
The Allied men and women fighting there met that test and the tide against communism was turned into a victory often forgotten by history.
Welcome home honored American Korean war veterans and veterans of the armed forces of South Korea and the Allied Forces.
Vietnam War
March 29, 1993 marks the 20th year since the last American troops left South Vietnam. The war between North Vietnam and South
Vietnam and the free world forces lasted over 11 years. The free world forces consisted of the Republic of Vietnam, the United States of
America, Australia, New Zeeland, Thailand, the Philippines and volunteers from Canada. Welcome home honored Vietnam Free World
Forces. November 11, 1993 marks the dedication of the Vietnam Women's Memorial Project, Welcome home to the women who served .
.{#Jt=+=G=45•:.c::~=ng=-~cnd=N:::,,~oc.~=,~::::,ndac:d=
••=:.•~c::~=:=.•~cnr=4::::,,5:ocr=i::::,baca=/•Cc::,~=16"":c1~=.~=>3oc:::~~
1940 Eastern SE
Grand Rapids, Ml 49507
�:-·
:•>.,.•••., ...............,,::::::: ..
THE POW·WOW COMMITIEE WISHES TO THANK
THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS AND COMPANIES WHO HAVE
CONTRIBUTED TO MAKING THIS POW•WOW A SUCCESS
D & W Food Centers, Inc.
Coca-Cola
Randy Disselkoen, Ltd.
WBYV810AM
General Motors Corporation
Grand Rapids Area Plants
Rogers Department Store
NBD The Right Bank
Mike's Restaurant - Hudsonville
UAW Veterans' Committee
VET Center
Members Of The Pow-Wow Committee
Vietnam Veterans Of America Chapter 18
All Veterans And Veteran Organizations Represented Here Today
Glen Steil
Keebler
Anazeh Sands
Gordon Food Service
Kent Litho Printing, Inc
•
�
Dublin Core
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Title
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Native American Publication Collection
Subject
The topic of the resource
Native Americans
Indians of North America
Anthropology
Indians of North America -- Michigan -- Periodicals
Michigan
Description
An account of the resource
Selected digital surrogates of published and unpublished materials from the Edward V. Gillis Native American publication collection dealing with different aspects of human culture and anthropology, with an emphasis on Native American people, events, organizations, and activities in Michigan. Includes newsletters, event programs, flyers, posters and other printed materials.
Creator
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Gillis, Edward V.
Source
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<a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/446">Edward V. Gillis Native American Publication Collection (RHC-14)</a>
Date
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2017-02-21
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<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
Relation
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Gi-gikinomaage-min Project (Kutsche Office of Local History)
Format
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application/pdf
Language
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eng
Type
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Text
Identifier
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RHC-14
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
1958-2000
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
Text
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<a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/446">Edward V. Gillis Native American publication collection, RHC-14</a>
Dublin Core
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RHC-14_veterans-pow-wow_1993-11
Title
A name given to the resource
Veterans Pow Wow, November 1993
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1993-11
Description
An account of the resource
Veterans Pow Wow program, Grand Rapids MI, November 13, 1993, collected by Edward Gillis included as part of his Native American publication collection.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Grand Rapids Inter-Tribal Council
Subject
The topic of the resource
Indians of North America -- Michigan -- Periodicals
Indians of North America
Michigan
Michigan -- Grand Rapids
Format
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application/pdf
Type
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Text
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<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
-
https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/abce2cd9b24299ec462c592a52bed943.pdf
d75c148eae9002296c38e80106742b89
PDF Text
Text
Saturday
November 9, 1991
Grand Entry
1:00 p.m. and
7:00 p.m.
Seniors 55 up free
Persons 16-55 $1.00
Children 6-16 .50
Children under 6 free
NO OUTSIDE
· RAFFLES
Location
G.R. Community College
Ford Field House
Lyon & Bostwick
Free Parking at
ramp next door
Sponsored by:
G.R. Community College; Vet's Center
Grand Rapids Inter-tribal Council
Highlighting
Native American
G I Education
Native American
Dancers, Singers
and Drums
For info call:
774-8331
Native American
Traders
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Native American Publication Collection
Subject
The topic of the resource
Native Americans
Indians of North America
Anthropology
Indians of North America -- Michigan -- Periodicals
Michigan
Description
An account of the resource
Selected digital surrogates of published and unpublished materials from the Edward V. Gillis Native American publication collection dealing with different aspects of human culture and anthropology, with an emphasis on Native American people, events, organizations, and activities in Michigan. Includes newsletters, event programs, flyers, posters and other printed materials.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Gillis, Edward V.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/446">Edward V. Gillis Native American Publication Collection (RHC-14)</a>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-02-21
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
Relation
A related resource
Gi-gikinomaage-min Project (Kutsche Office of Local History)
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
application/pdf
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
RHC-14
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
1958-2000
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
Text
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text.
Source
<a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/446">Edward V. Gillis Native American publication collection, RHC-14</a>
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
RHC-14_veterans-pow-wow_1991-11
Title
A name given to the resource
Veterans Pow Wow, November 1991
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1991-11
Description
An account of the resource
Veterans Pow Wow flyer, Grand Rapids MI, November 9, 1991, collected by Edward Gillis included as part of his Native American publication collection.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Grand Rapids Inter-Tribal Council
Subject
The topic of the resource
Indians of North America -- Michigan -- Periodicals
Indians of North America
Michigan
Michigan -- Grand Rapids
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
application/pdf
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
-
https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/9b6effb29e83a802a50e2a13188cc7de.pdf
661dccd5c8d45bce8ac94f30efe3d058
PDF Text
Text
(,·If PM· U.A.W .HALL, ALLEGAN,_ MICHIGAN,
EVERYONE WELCOME TO .DAHCE.,SING., FfA.ST, HONOR AND REMEMBEJ?., ,
PDT LUCI( BRINGA DIS/.1 ro PASS AN]) YOUR O\JN TABLE SERVICE
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Native American Publication Collection
Subject
The topic of the resource
Native Americans
Indians of North America
Anthropology
Indians of North America -- Michigan -- Periodicals
Michigan
Description
An account of the resource
Selected digital surrogates of published and unpublished materials from the Edward V. Gillis Native American publication collection dealing with different aspects of human culture and anthropology, with an emphasis on Native American people, events, organizations, and activities in Michigan. Includes newsletters, event programs, flyers, posters and other printed materials.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Gillis, Edward V.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/446">Edward V. Gillis Native American Publication Collection (RHC-14)</a>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-02-21
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
Relation
A related resource
Gi-gikinomaage-min Project (Kutsche Office of Local History)
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
application/pdf
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
RHC-14
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
1958-2000
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
Text
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text.
Source
<a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/446">Edward V. Gillis Native American publication collection, RHC-14</a>
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
RHC-14_veterans-dance-feast_1984-11
Title
A name given to the resource
Veterans Dance and Feast, November 1984
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1984-11
Description
An account of the resource
Veterans Dance and Feast flyer, Allegan MI, November 11, 1984, collected by Edward Gillis included as part of his Native American publication collection.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Grand Rapids Inter-Tribal Council
Subject
The topic of the resource
Indians of North America -- Michigan -- Periodicals
Indians of North America
Michigan
Michigan -- Grand Rapids
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
application/pdf
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
-
https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/8a28474a9e806accd5d6b60987a1dd4f.pdf
c36a5c940670c688ebe2eb6641233eb2
PDF Text
Text
/
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.
1
b·II PM·· U.A.\J. .1-IALL ALL'EGAN, __·_ MICHIGAN -·__-_
EVERYONE WflCOME TO DAHC£.,S1HG,.F£AST, HONOR AND_REMEMBER ~
POT LUGI( BRINGA DISH· 10.PASS~ANl> YOUR O\JN TABLE 5ERVIC
INFnPMATlf>~ r~tbl 792-6335 - C616J 71J3·4'-04<J · .
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Native American Publication Collection
Subject
The topic of the resource
Native Americans
Indians of North America
Anthropology
Indians of North America -- Michigan -- Periodicals
Michigan
Description
An account of the resource
Selected digital surrogates of published and unpublished materials from the Edward V. Gillis Native American publication collection dealing with different aspects of human culture and anthropology, with an emphasis on Native American people, events, organizations, and activities in Michigan. Includes newsletters, event programs, flyers, posters and other printed materials.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Gillis, Edward V.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/446">Edward V. Gillis Native American Publication Collection (RHC-14)</a>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-02-21
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
Relation
A related resource
Gi-gikinomaage-min Project (Kutsche Office of Local History)
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
application/pdf
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
RHC-14
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
1958-2000
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
Text
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text.
Source
<a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/446">Edward V. Gillis Native American publication collection, RHC-14</a>
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
RHC-14_veterans-dance-feast_1983-11
Title
A name given to the resource
Veterans Dance and Feast, November 1983
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1983-11
Description
An account of the resource
Veterans Dance and Feast flyer, Allegan MI, November 11, 1983, collected by Edward Gillis included as part of his Native American publication collection.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Grand Rapids Inter-Tribal Council
Subject
The topic of the resource
Indians of North America -- Michigan -- Periodicals
Indians of North America
Michigan
Michigan -- Grand Rapids
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
application/pdf
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
-
https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/b47ed73f0fa73b663e77fc4888cef5af.pdf
a556b2e8f2d21e8183791be784d77761
PDF Text
Text
f,- I l PM-AMERICAN LEGION HALL. DO RR MICHIGAN
1
EVERYONE 'w'ELCOME TO DAHCE,SING, FEAST; HDNOI? AND REMEMBER ,
POT LUGK. BRING A DISH TO PASS AND YOUR OWN TABLE SERVICE
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Native American Publication Collection
Subject
The topic of the resource
Native Americans
Indians of North America
Anthropology
Indians of North America -- Michigan -- Periodicals
Michigan
Description
An account of the resource
Selected digital surrogates of published and unpublished materials from the Edward V. Gillis Native American publication collection dealing with different aspects of human culture and anthropology, with an emphasis on Native American people, events, organizations, and activities in Michigan. Includes newsletters, event programs, flyers, posters and other printed materials.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Gillis, Edward V.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/446">Edward V. Gillis Native American Publication Collection (RHC-14)</a>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-02-21
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
Relation
A related resource
Gi-gikinomaage-min Project (Kutsche Office of Local History)
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
application/pdf
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
RHC-14
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
1958-2000
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
Text
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text.
Source
<a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/446">Edward V. Gillis Native American publication collection, RHC-14</a>
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
RHC-14_veterans-dance-feast_1982-11
Title
A name given to the resource
Veterans Dance and Feast, November 1982
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1982-11
Description
An account of the resource
Veterans Dance and Feast flyer, Dorr MI, November 11, 1982, collected by Edward Gillis included as part of his Native American publication collection.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Grand Rapids Inter-Tribal Council
Subject
The topic of the resource
Indians of North America -- Michigan -- Periodicals
Indians of North America
Michigan
Michigan -- Grand Rapids
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
application/pdf
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
-
https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/b3514581ea368c3e65d23dddba3e40c6.pdf
3c6ccf4434c09d6604b9619c743e5059
PDF Text
Text
6-11 PM- DORR MICH/GAN.AMERICAN LEGION 1-IALL
EVERYONE WELCOM! TO DANCE, SING, FcAST, I-IONDR. ANO RfMEHBE'R
POf LUCK BRING A D,-su TO PASS PlUS YOUR OWN TABLE SERVICE
Geo~e /VL.._rl,;, '11'1 793-J 4bl
Ft-dnk. 81-1sl, ,16 79Z-6J$ §
�
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Native American Publication Collection
Subject
The topic of the resource
Native Americans
Indians of North America
Anthropology
Indians of North America -- Michigan -- Periodicals
Michigan
Description
An account of the resource
Selected digital surrogates of published and unpublished materials from the Edward V. Gillis Native American publication collection dealing with different aspects of human culture and anthropology, with an emphasis on Native American people, events, organizations, and activities in Michigan. Includes newsletters, event programs, flyers, posters and other printed materials.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Gillis, Edward V.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/446">Edward V. Gillis Native American Publication Collection (RHC-14)</a>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-02-21
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
Relation
A related resource
Gi-gikinomaage-min Project (Kutsche Office of Local History)
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
application/pdf
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
RHC-14
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
1958-2000
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
Text
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text.
Source
<a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/446">Edward V. Gillis Native American publication collection, RHC-14</a>
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
RHC-14_veterans-dance-feast_1981-11
Title
A name given to the resource
Veterans Dance and Feast, November 1981
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1981-11
Description
An account of the resource
Veterans Dance and Feast flyer, Dorr MI, November 11, 1981, collected by Edward Gillis included as part of his Native American publication collection.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Grand Rapids Inter-Tribal Council
Subject
The topic of the resource
Indians of North America -- Michigan -- Periodicals
Indians of North America
Michigan
Michigan -- Grand Rapids
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
application/pdf
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
-
https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/7b044739e05de53909eb3df1497413f4.pdf
aac4a8b7ca80996cca53ea5cf761699d
PDF Text
Text
U7l!]J
Df f due.afJOn 1bw-~w /llljustJL-JJ
H8] IN CONJUNCTION \'JITI-1 TI-IE UNilY OF EDUCATION CONFERENCE
$3400 PRIZE t'bNEY
ALL COITTESTAfffS MUST BE IN GRAND ENTRY.
GRAND ENTRY
LOCATION: }¼y MILLS INDIAN Co~UNITY
25 MILES WEST OF SAULT STE,
~¼RIE., MICHIGAN
INDIAN SEQJRilY
2 P,M, SATURDAY
7 P,M, SATURDAY
2 P,M, SuNDAY
HOST DRUVl: wI KI
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"nr-a• .,....,,,...., 1p,a
Ut'tN lJKUl'I
DRUM CONTEST
TRADERS WELCOME
INDIAN CRAFTS ONLY!
TRADERS FEE: $10.00/DAY
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Native American Publication Collection
Subject
The topic of the resource
Native Americans
Indians of North America
Anthropology
Indians of North America -- Michigan -- Periodicals
Michigan
Description
An account of the resource
Selected digital surrogates of published and unpublished materials from the Edward V. Gillis Native American publication collection dealing with different aspects of human culture and anthropology, with an emphasis on Native American people, events, organizations, and activities in Michigan. Includes newsletters, event programs, flyers, posters and other printed materials.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Gillis, Edward V.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
<a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/446">Edward V. Gillis Native American Publication Collection (RHC-14)</a>
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
2017-02-21
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>
Relation
A related resource
Gi-gikinomaage-min Project (Kutsche Office of Local History)
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
application/pdf
Language
A language of the resource
eng
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
RHC-14
Coverage
The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant
1958-2000
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives
Text
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text.
Source
<a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/446">Edward V. Gillis Native American publication collection, RHC-14</a>
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
RHC-14_unity-of-education-pow-wow_
Title
A name given to the resource
Unity of Education Pow-Wow, August ????
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
????-08
Description
An account of the resource
Unity of Education Pow-Wow flyer, Sault Ste. Marie MI, August 26-27, ????, collected by Edward Gillis included as part of his Native American publication collection.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Bay Mills Indian Community
Subject
The topic of the resource
Indians of North America -- Michigan -- Periodicals
Indians of North America
Michigan
Michigan -- Grand Rapids
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
application/pdf
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>