Dennis Banks on Michigan's Beaver Island This Weekend

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Briefs. Discussion »

Dennis Banks

BEAVER ISLAND, MICHIGAN - Beaver Island is a serene, nature-rich island that sits some 32 miles off the coast of Charlevoix. West of the mainland of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, Beaver Island is 13-miles long, north to south, and varies from three- to six-miles wide, west to east.

It is the largest of the islands found in the archipelago in northern Lake Michigan.

Today there are still a handful of Odawa Indians who live on the island year-round - of the approximately 350 non-Indians who live there, according to William Cashman, director of the Beaver Island Historical Society.

(l to r) Enos Washagesic, Art Lewis, George Peaine, Mary Nanegaw

Up until the 1960s, Odawa Indians have gathered on McFadden's Point to perform ceremonies, which is located on the west side of Beaver Island. The property was purchased by Fred Schoonbeck, in 2009.

Dennis Banks, the co-founder of the American Indian Movement. Banks will be coming with members of his tribe to perform a blessing ceremony that begins this coming Saturday.

Off the North West Coast of Michigan

It was last year when Paul Collins, Dennis Banks, and Fred Schoonbeck encountered one another in the private drive community in which both Collins and Schoonbeck reside in Grand Rapids.

During the second meeting between Schoonbeck and Banks, Dennis Banks learned about the Beaver Island property. After hearing the rich history of the Odawa on the island property and of Schoonbeck's desire to honor the land, he decided it was necessary to build spirit lodges and to perform a blessing ceremony.

Chief Antoine Peaine

Conversely, Schoonbeck felt compelled to organize this event in support of Banks, helped by Collins, an internationally known artist who became friends with Banks while he was painting at Wounded Knee in 1973. The two met during the 71-day siege of Wounded Knee by the American Indian Movement and have remained friends ever since. Those who know Banks and Collins see a kinship that is stronger than some brothers.

To honor the land, Banks decided to have a ceremony that would last seven days. He is bringing some 20 - 25 American Indians to assist him in the blessing of the property.

Schoonbeck's motivation is to show the proper respect and honor deserved by the land through respecting what has historically taken place on his property.

"I am just the caretaker of the land. I know how precious it is," he says. The piece of land is ten-acres, 300 feet wide and a half-mile inward from the coast. He is in the process of building a cottage that faces west so he can watch the sunsets on Lake Michigan. "I really want to show respect for the land and the Indians who gathered there once a year."

This event will begin on Saturday, July 23. The public is invited, but must find their own lodging or bring camping gear and can camp on Schoonbeck's property. On Sunday afternoon, July 24, Banks will meet with local residents and summer tourists interested in American Indian culture to discuss his role at Schoonbeck's property on the porch of the Old Mormon Print Shop Museum on Beaver Island.

Also, on Sunday at 8 pm, Banks will read from his book the "Ojibwa Warrior" and discuss the just concluded Longest Walk 3 - Reversing Diabetes, a five-month walk across America that began in San Diego and ended in Washington DC.

Special thanks to William Cashman, director of the Beaver Island Historical Society for the historic photos

Satelite Image copyright Google Earth