The land we call Romeo resides on the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabe, known as the Three Fires Confederacy, comprised of the Ojibwe (Chippewa), Odawa (Ottawa), and Potawatomi. Evidence of a Native presence on and near this land includes its location along a significant Native trail and an Anishinaabe village that once existed nearby. This land was ceded in the 1807 Treaty of Detroit.
Today, there are twelve federally recognized tribes of Indigenous Peoples in Michigan. [i] Our closest tribe is the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe in Mount Pleasant.[ii] It is the home of the Ziibiwing Center of Anishinaabe Culture & Lifeways, whose mission is to share the culture, diversity and spirit of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe and other Great Lakes Anishinabek.[iii]
There are several places in Michigan to learn about Indigenous culture and history.[iv] Close to home in the Thumb, just an hour and a quarter north of Romeo, you can experience Anishinabek history and living culture. The Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park is co-managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division, the Michigan History Center and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. It protects and interprets Michigan’s largest known collection of early Indigenous teachings carved in stone. A longhouse constructed by the Ziibiwing Center is used for teaching and ceremonies.[v]
Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park
On August 9th, the United Nations celebrates International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. This day is intended as a celebration of the unique identities, history, and resilience of indigenous peoples. Though these groups are each unique, indigenous peoples are often joined together in many of the same struggles, including human rights issues, land rights, poverty, and preservation of history and culture. In honor of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, I encourage you to reflect on the deeper history of our historic village – the history that predates European settlements.[vi]
Green Space Romeo wishes to honor the Indigenous Peoples who inhabited and stewarded the land on which Romeo now stands. It is our hope to learn from Anishinabek how to better respect the land, steward it sustainably and coexist peacefully with each other.
