Honoring, Healing & Remembering Those Impacted by Boarding School Tomorrow

Native News Network Staff in Native Currents. Discussion »

MT. PLEASANT, MICHIGAN – The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan is hosting "Honoring, Healing & Remembering," a day of remembrance for the children and families impacted by the Mt. Pleasant Indian Industrial School on Wednesday, June 6.

Day of Remembrance Wednesday, June 6 in Mt. Pleasant Michigan

This all day of remembrance will be held on the site of the closed boarding school, located at 1400 West Pickard Road.

A special guest will be 102-year old former Mt. Pleasant Indian School student Maria Hinton.

The Mt. Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School was established in 1893 by an act of Congress, compelling Indian children to be removed from the care of their families to attend residential schools. The Mt. Pleasant Indian School operated until 1934, with an average enrollment of 300 students annually.

The day will begin with a Sunrise Ceremony at 7 am at the Mission Creek Cemetery, located at South Bamber Road. The day's activities on the grounds of the former boarding school will begin at 8 am with a breakfast, followed by a Pipe Ceremony, Grand Entry of Flags and a Flag Song.

At 9 am an interdenominational prayer service will be held. Among the speakers during this service are: Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan Chief Dennis Kequom, Central Michigan University President George Ross and Mayor Bruce Kilmer of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan and the Mt. Pleasant Indian School Committee Chairwoman Tonia Bleuer.

The activities will continue until 3 pm when a Jingle Dress Healing Dance and Celebratory Round Dance will occur. The event will conclude with a Give-Away and Traveling Song.

posted June 5, 2012 11:20 am edt