By: Ona Mather, Aquinas Reporter
Students attending the fall break trip , taking a photo outside of the bus in Harbor Springs – Photo by Brigid Avery
Over fall break, a small group of students mainly from Dr. Keways’ seminar course traveled to northern Michigan to learn about the history, traditions and culture of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. The trip was organized by the AQ advantage center and Dr. Keway.
Students were brought to significant native sights across Harbor Springs, Good Hart and Petoskey. Students stayed at the Odawa Hotel visiting landmarks and museums.
Students traveled to Mackinac Island seeing the Biddle House, which is the former home of Agatha Biddle and her husband Edward Biddle, now converted into an Anishinaabe museum filled with artifacts, holograms and information on indigenous culture and history.
Students hiked on the outskirts of the island to Arch Rock by the shoreline of Lake Huron. The group also visited the statue in Peace Garden, all these experiences showed the students how much history there is at Mackinac.
Students Addison Munn and Benjamin Baur reading and learning information from the Biddle House on Mackinaw Island – Photo by Ona Mather
The group had previously studied the issues regarding boarding schools and visited one of the last schools to close, Holy Childhood in Harbor Springs. At these boarding schools Native children were separated from their families and pressured to abandon their language and stripped of their traditions. This visit offered students the opportunity to reflect on the resilience and the ongoing challenges faced by indigenous communities.
“I decided to go on this trip for the learning experience and to finally go on a field trip after so many years,” said freshman Addison Munn. This was a great opportunity for students to explore out of the classroom and gain new experiences.
Freshman Benjamin Baur said the trip had deepened his understanding of the history and responsibilities he has to keep learning. “It is important because it helps students understand what truly happened,” Baur said. “If we know what happened, we can work to improve it.” Baur also encourages future participants to come with an open mind.“Be ready for rough patches of the experience.It is not easy, but it is worth it.”
For freshman Geira Gomez, the trip was both powerful and personal to her. “I decided to go on this trip to learn more about indigenous people and also was curious to see northern Michigan since I had never gone before,” Gomez said. She had expected to hear difficult truths about the Catholic Church’s involvement in Native boarding schools but was still deeply affected by what she learned. “The actual experience was a lot more intense and cruel than I imagined, but I am glad I got to hear what needed to be said.”
Gomez said the visit also changed how she viewed popular tourist destinations such as Mackinac Island. “It seems as if the indigenous were still a bit forgotten since the tourism sights hardly focused on the history or culture,” Gomez said. “I saw more advertisements for horses and fudge than I saw Indigenous acknowledgement.”
Students agreed that the trip had lots of good and difficult information. “It is an experience you will not regret or forget,” Gomez said. “Going on this trip taught me more about Native American culture and now I can help spread correct and accurate information,” said freshman Morgan Foune.
Many students hope to push others to attend this trip next year to push themselves and gain new experiences and knowledge.”Trips like these remove a level of ignorance and encourage students to become more aware of history that otherwise they may never seek out,” said freshman Thomas Kring. “Its extremely important that students go on trips like this as it not only leaves them with experiences they can live with for the rest of their lives,” Munn said.
The trip encouraged reflection, learning and brought a sense of community among Aquinas students and faculty, deepening their understanding of indigenous culture and history close to home.
The group listening to Eric Hemenway (Anishinabe/Odawa director of repatriation and Archives) sharing information about the history taking place in Harbor Springs – Photo by Brigid Avery
The Saint 