Anishinaabe History: Clinch Park

As Anishinaabek, we have lived upon this earth since the beginning of Creation. In the

Great Lakes Region, we are known as the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Bodewe’wadmi of the

Three Fires Confederacy. We lived in small villages throughout this area. Our

connection to Mother Earth provided all that we needed. As people of the land and the

water, we traveled seasonally to fish, gather berries, grow gardens, hunt, and harvest

maple syrup. Our way of life embraced family, community, and respect for what we

were given.

Our relationship with Creation was disrupted. Although life changed, some things

remain the same. We have not forgotten who we are, our responsibilities, and where we

come from. We continue to protect our Mother the earth, water, plants, animals, and

each other. We continue to live in our homeland, Ktchi Wiikwedoong, place of the big

bay, also known as the Grand Traverse Region. Where you are standing, Traverse City,

was an Odawa village. Today we are thriving Anishinaabek, standing together with our

ancestors as the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.

Kchi Wiikwedong Anishinaabe Gaabi-zhiwebak mewzha Clinch Park

Ezhi-anishinaabewiying, kii-bi-daami mompii kiing minik eko bimaadiziimgak

maanda Gzhemindoo-zhichigan. Odi nikeyaa Gchi-gamiing, ngii-kendimigoomi

aawiyaang Odaawaak, Ojibwek miiniwaa boodweyaadamiik nji-sa maanda Nswiishkoden

Ezhi-nowendaasong. Mbimi-daami shkongaasing noo’ooj ngoji mompii

nikeyaa. Ezhi-ndowendaagoziiying mompii Shkakimi-kweng kii-miingonaa

gaamineziying. Nji-sa yaawiying bemaadizijig mompii akiing miiniwaa nbiing, Kiibibaayaami

noo’ooj ngoji maanda aki-niiwing eshseg ji-giigoonkeying, jimiinkeying,

ji-kitigeying, ji-giiwseying, miiniwaa ji-zigakinameng ninaatigooziiyaagimide.

Ezhi-bimaadiziiying maamowi ngodweyaangizowin,

ngodoodenaawziwin, miiniwaa mnaadendimowin nji-sa gaa-miingoweziiying.

Gaa-zhi-minawaangizying nji-sa Gzheminidoo-doo-zhichigan gii-bnaajchigaade.

Booj dash go gegoo gaa-zhi-aansek bimaadiziwin aanind go giiyaabi naasab

zhinaagwad. Gaawii kii-nendiziinaa-eyaawiying, ezhi-ndowendaagoziiying,

miiniwaa enji-baaying. Gdoo-aabji-taami ji-naagidowendimeng maaba Shkakimikwe,

nibi,emaajiiging, wesiinyag miiniwaa ezhi-be-bezhigoying. Gdi-ni-aabiji-daami

mompii gdoo-akiimnaang, K’tchi-wiikwedoong, bekish ezhikenjigaadek Grand

Traverse nikeyaa. Mompii naaniibwiying, Traverse City, gii-kenjigaade aawang

Odaawaa-kaaning. Nongo dash emina-maajiishkaajig anishinaabek ndaawimi

maamowi gaabwitoongidowaa zhizhigo-gaamaajaajig nji-sa Grand Traverse Band

of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.