Doug Pinckney said, “The summer Indian trail went through our farm leading to a huge camp and burial grounds on the south side of Camp Lake.” That was just one of the stories shared around the display about Ottawa native Americans. It was part of the “Celebrate Local Native Americans” interactive show on Sunday, July 21. Visitors were able to hold an arrowhead from Scott Walton’s collection or open a porcupine quill box made by her grandmother at Sue Chippewa Minch’s native craft display. Children and adults were intrigued when artist, Anna Brothers, helped them paint vertebrates from turkey necks into little race cars.
Afterward, Scott, from Sparta, said, “Many people were also collectors. In fact, Nick Boorsma brought a six-inch flint knife he found at the corner of Baumhoff and 10 Mile Roads.”
Anna Brothers said, “Creating art out of the turkey neck bones was a beautiful way to respect every part of the animal and the children understood that.”
Sue Chippewa Minch said, “The Sparta Township Historical Commission patrons made me feel very welcome. Everyone seemed really excited to see my display!”
Sue Blackall, an organizer and retired Sparta teacher said, “The one room school was alive with questions and conversations that day, as it was over 175 years ago!”
Don’t miss out on “Harvest Fun” at the Myer One Room School Museum during Apple Fest this fall! We will have fun activities and display old tools that were used to grow, process, and preserve food years ago at harvest time.
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