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Project Summary

 

The Grand River Band of Ottawa Indians is working with the City of Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids Public Museum on a public art initiative that will memorialize and honor the People of the Three Fires and their connection to the Grand River (Owashtanong).

A grant through the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) will help fund a series of interpretive monuments or art pieces along the Grand River trail in Sixth Street Park and Canal Park.

 

Land Acknowledgement - We acknowledge that the city of Grand Rapids is situated on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe people - the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi tribes. We recognize the enduring presence of Indigenous peoples in this place, and we are grateful for their care of the land and the many lessons that they have shared with our community.

 

Canal Park and Grand River, looking towards downtown Grand Rapids

We are reaching out to Grand River Band of Ottawa Indians tribal members for your ideas and comments. 

This survey should take about five minutes to complete, and is the first step in developing ideas for the project.

We invite tribal members of all ages to participate!

Examples

Art can come in many forms. Here are some example projects of indigenous art from Grand Rapids and around the country.

 

SCULPTURE
Manidoo Bawating by Alan Compo (Grand Rapids)

Manidoo Bawating sculpture with Anishinaabe

  

PLAYSCAPE
River Park Playground (Breckenridge, CO)

Wooden fish playground feature

  

INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE
with Anishinaabe language

Park signage with medicine wheel and traditional language

  

 

 

FUNCTIONAL
The Passage (Chattanooga, TN)

The Passage - public art piece

MURAL
Anishinaabek by Alan Compo (Grand Rapids)

Anishinaabek mural near Grand Rapids Public Museum

INTERPRETIVE TRAIL or timeline
(Baltimore, MD)

Interpretive plaza with map of the Chesapeake

Your Input

Question title

1. What are 3 things you would want public art along the Grand River to represent or communicate?

(about the river, People of the Three Fires, or other themes that are important to you)

Closed for Comments

Question title

2. Are there Anishinaabe stories or cultural references that are important to share within public spaces along the Grand River? What are they?

Some ideas that we have heard already include the symbol of the turtle as a part of the creation story and how the Indian trading routes influenced the layout of the city.

Closed for Comments

Question title

3. How would you like to see these stories expressed?

Example: sculptures, interpretive signage, interactive art or play pieces, mural, etc.

Closed for Comments

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4. Who are Anishinaabe artists that might be interested to work on this project?

Closed for Comments

Question title

5. What else should we consider as a part of this project?

Closed for Comments

User Info

Please share a little about yourself - this information stays anonymous and is used when comparing all responses to make sure we are hearing from everyone.

Question title

What is your age?

Under 18
18-25
26-35
36-45
46-55
56-65
66-75
Over 75
Prefer not to answer
Closed to responses

Question title

What is your gender identity?

Man/Boy
Woman/Girl
Non-Binary or Non-Conforming
Prefer not to answer
Closed to responses

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What is your zip code?

Optional Information

The Grand River Band of Ottawa Indians is interested in better communicating with you. Your feedback and information will help keep members connected in the future!

Question title

How do you prefer to be contacted by the Grand River Band of Ottawa Indians? Rank these options in order of preference from top to bottom.

Note: You can drag each item up or down to place them in the order you wish.

Closed to responses

Question title

If you're interested in receiving e-mails from the Grand River Band of Ottawa Indians in the future, or if you'd like to update your e-mail information, please provide your name and current e-mail address below.

Closed to responses