Little River Band of Ottawa Indians to Host Nmé Open House

Native News Network Staff in Native Currents. Discussion »

MANISTEE, MICHIGAN - The Ottawa Indians word for the sturgeon fish is "Nmé."

"Nmé." or Sturgeon

For the past decade, the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians has been concerned about the small population of Nmé in the Manistee River in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The Tribe's Natural Resources Department invested in Streamside Rearing Facility, a facility where young Nmé are reared to size so that their survival rate is increased, then released back into the river.

Because this year the small spawning population and the low numbers produced, less than 20, the Natural Resources Department will release 300 Nmé this coming Saturday, September 17.

To celebrate this occasion, from 11 am - 12 noon, the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Natural Resources Department will host a community open house with tours of the portable streamside rearing facility.

At 12 noon, there will be half-hour long Release Ceremony, during which time the 300 Nmé will be released.

Rainbow Bend Release Ceremony Location

The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians are federally recognized tribe, based in Manistee, Michigan.

updated 10:17 am edt; posted September 12, 2011 7:30 am edt