Visit to Ziibiwing

MPFS scheduled a visit to The Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture and Lifeways here in Mt. Pleasant this past Monday. Though it was sparsely attended, those of us who went got a lot out of it.

Ziibiwing's main, permanent exhibit is called "Diba jimooyung, or Telling Our Story." This is where we spent most of our time. This exhibit walks you through Anishinabek history using The Seven Prophecies or Fires; in which prophets told the Anishinabek of seven major periods of change in their future.

The Seven Prophecies lay out periods of migration, european colonization, and the cultural trials that the Anishinabek would endure during and after those times.

The exhibit is a roller coaster of emotion and fascinating history. The curators have done an excellent job. The exhibit is unapologetic in it's honesty about the continuing colonization and it's affects. Yet you still walk out with hope and intense respect for a community who is rebuilding and reclaiming against such devastating odds.

I highly recommend everyone in Isabella county and every CMU student visit Ziibiwing. Once was not enough for me, I will certainly be revisiting.

For the Mt. Pleasant Free School,

Angie Pohlman.