News Summary
Grand Rapids, Michigan is honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day with a week-long celebration at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. The event will showcase the cultural heritage of the Anishinaabek peoples with various activities, including art exhibits, performances, and workshops. Major highlights include the Anishinaabe Culture Day and an Art and Film Series. Visitors can participate in hands-on activities, enjoy storytelling, and explore vendor goods created by Native artists. This celebration aims to honor the spirit and traditions of Indigenous communities throughout the region.
Grand Rapids, Michigan is set to honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day with a week-long celebration at the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM), which officially observes Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Monday, October 13. The museum will extend its festivities throughout the week, highlighting indigenous cultures and traditions with a focus on the Anishinaabek peoples, the Indigenous population of the region. The museum is located at 272 Pearl St. NW and is home to over 250,000 artifacts that represent the diverse histories of Grand Rapids and other areas.
Indigenous Peoples’ Week at GRPM will feature two major events: the Anishinaabe Culture Day on Wednesday, October 15, and the Anishinaabe Art and Film Series on Saturday, October 18. These events aim to honor the language, artistry, and living traditions of the Anishinaabek people. The significance of these celebrations is underlined by the museum’s Anishinaabe curator, who notes that for the Native community, every day embodies the spirit of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
The week of celebration will include a variety of activities to share traditions through food, art, language, and cultural teachings. GRPM is currently updating its long-standing exhibition, Anishinabek: The People of This Place, although it continues to showcase important aspects of Anishinaabe history. Notably, three new murals by Anishinaabek artists will depict themes such as the Creation Story, contemporary Indigenous life, and the Seven Grandfather Teachings. Additionally, the museum’s third floor will feature a large-scale projection map illustrating the evolution from early Tribal trails to current highways, highlighting historical territories and present Tribal headquarters throughout Michigan.
The Anishinaabe Culture Day will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will include hands-on activities for visitors of all ages. Highlights from the day’s events will feature:
- Drumming and dance performances
- Storytelling sessions
- Workshops focusing on pottery, basket-weaving, and corn husk doll-making
- A scavenger hunt throughout the museum
Participants can explore vendor tables and cultural demonstrations in the museum’s Galleria, while the Curiosity Shop will showcase art, jewelry, baskets, books, and other items created by Native artists and writers.
The Anishinaabe Art and Film Series is scheduled for Saturday, October 18, and will include:
- 11 a.m. – A roundtable discussion with muralists, moderated by the curator.
- Noon – Screening of Bodewadmi Ndaw, a documentary by Davis Henderson, followed by a Q&A session.
- 2 p.m. – Screening of Nme’ (Lake Sturgeon).
- 2:45 p.m. – Screening of Mahnoomin: The Food That Grows on the Water.
- 3:15 p.m. – Screening of The Beguiling by Ishkwaazhe Shane McSauby, recommended for ages 16 and up, followed by a virtual Q&A.
The documentary Bodewadmi Ndaw explores the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Potawatomi Indians and their efforts to revitalize their endangered language. The Beguiling portrays a budding romance between two Indigenous individuals with unforeseen twists, highlighted by acclaimed filmmaker Ishkwaazhe Shane McSauby.
Admission for the Art and Film Series is set at $2 with a museum ticket. Additionally, Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley has been recognized as a fitting companion for Indigenous Peoples’ Week, delving into themes of Native identity and resilience. The Indigenous programming at GRPM is supported by Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. and the Holiday Inn Grand Rapids Downtown.
For further details and ticket purchases, visitors can refer to the museum’s official website.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- GR Magazine: Museum Keeps the Fire Burning for Indigenous Peoples
- WZZM13: Anishinaabe Culture Day at Grand Rapids Public Museum
- MLive: This Grand Rapids Park Was Once the Site of a Historic Indigenous Village
- WOOD TV: New Mural at Grand Rapids Public Museum Depicts Modern Indigenous Life
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Indigenous Peoples
- Google Search: Indigenous Peoples Day
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
