The Saginaw Indian Chippewa Tribe
One of the most interesting and important aspects of Mt. Pleasant is that it shares space with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. There are approximately 3,000 members of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, many of who live on the reservation (“Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe”). The tribe is a huge part of the Mt. Pleasant community and it is important to learn about and respect the Native American culture here, especially when we consider that CMU’s mascot is still the Chippewas. Luckily, there are lots of great opportunities to learn about the tribe. You can learn about tribal news and more about the tribe at their website.
Additionally, The Ziibiwing Cultural Center of Anishinabe Culture and Lifeways in Mt. Pleasant is a museum dedicated to educating the public about the Saginaw Chippewa tribe as well as other Anishinabek peoples. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the tribe and their way of life, and they often put on special events that are free to the community. In addition, there is a powwow held at CMU every year that is open to the public and allows a glimpse into the culture. Make it a point to attend these events and learn about this unique connection between your new home and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.
Additionally, The Ziibiwing Cultural Center of Anishinabe Culture and Lifeways in Mt. Pleasant is a museum dedicated to educating the public about the Saginaw Chippewa tribe as well as other Anishinabek peoples. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the tribe and their way of life, and they often put on special events that are free to the community. In addition, there is a powwow held at CMU every year that is open to the public and allows a glimpse into the culture. Make it a point to attend these events and learn about this unique connection between your new home and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.
Samantha Miller is graduating from CMU’s English Department with a Masters in English Language and Literature, Children’s and Young Adult Literature concentration. She is originally from the Chicago suburbs but has lived in Mount Pleasant for six years and earned her BA from CMU in 2014 with a major in sociology and a minor in journalism. Miller enjoys studying popular culture and is a raging foodie.
Central Michigan University respects the diversity of values and opinions held by members of its community. The views expressed on this page are those of the author and not necessarily those of Central Michigan University or its officers and trustees. The content of this page has not been reviewed or approved by Central Michigan University, and the author is solely responsible for its content.