Cultural Heritage - Finally!

The Great Burn Out occurred in 1900. The Chaboiganing Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians had a year-round settlement until Fred Ming and his deputies removed all villagers from the land he now claimed to own through his purchases of (supposed delinquent) tax titles, by burning them out.

The Burt Lake Band of Indians became scattered, and to this day are not formally recognized by the US government as a tribe. Until the American Indian Religious Freedom Act in 1978 it was illegal to perform their ceremonies and really follow their cultural beliefs. Growing up as a child in the 60's and 70's there was very little cultural awareness of our Native American neighbors, other than the land we lived on was full of artifacts from the burned out village.

Land was given to the natives on Indian Road, and a church was erected. As a child, I helped my father put in a fence around the cemetery. At that time most graves were unmarked, and my father basically guessed at the cemetery boundary. Going back I see we missed a large area, and am glad to know this has been researched and resolved.

Recently I went back to the old homestead area and noted several good things. One, the cemeteries have been improved, maintained and marked, and spirit houses are being erected. The land which wasn't built up with resort homes on the lakefront has now been preserved by the Little Traverse Conservancy with memorials to the Burt Lake Band also known as the Chaboiganing Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. There are educational signs to acknowledge the history of the land.

The Straits area of Michigan was a very important area historically to the Natives, yet until recently one had to search out for any recognition of that history. It is refreshing to see and learn about the historical and cultural preservation efforts in this region. I applaud all those involved.

Maple Bay - Burt Lake

Colonial Point Preserve - Little Traverse Conservancy
Indian Road Cemetery with Spirit Hut
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()Chickagami Rd. Cemetery
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()The Preserve from Chickagami Trail Native Winter Wheat Fields
St. Mary's Church on Indian Rd.