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Issue V2-4.Indd THINGS TO KNOW PEOPLE TO MEET PLANS TO MAKE VOL II No. 4 November 23–December 7 2018 Moccasin Bluff is an archaeological site located along Red Bud Trail and Tribal Connections the St. Joseph River north of Bu- ne Buchanan, on November 10, sponsored a Forum at the Senior Jennifer Topash-LeBlanc, a chanan. It was listed on the National oCenter to sensitize Buchanan residents to the social progress of the graduate of Buchanan Commu- Register of Historic Places in 1977. many local Native American residents and their families with Tribal nity Schools, lives and works in The terrace between Moccasin connections, particularly with the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi. Sault Ste. Marie. She made the Bluff and the St. Joseph River was Experts in current Native American social conditions spoke to at- journey to speak of her experi- home to temporary camps as early tendees, offering some interesting history, personal stories, and en- ence at the Sault Tribal Health as 6300 B.C. Around A.D 500, lightening statistics on several fronts. Center as a behavioral health inhabitants traded with other groups Attendees were welcomed to the event by a series of traditional nar- counselor related to substance of Native Americans from Illinois rative songs with drum accompaniment, given by Sterling Big Bear abuse prevention. She was and Indiana. By A.D. 1100-1400, as a blessing for the event. They also enjoyed samples of traditional followed by Casey Kasper, a more permanent villages were Native American cuisine. Victim Services Manager and established here, and the residents Moderator Ruth Writer, long-time American History teacher at Case Worker for the Pokagon farmed the local lands.By the late BHS and well-known to Buchanan residents, introduced the panel and Band. Because of their jobs, 1820s, European settlers moved gave an overview of the history of interactions between the existing these two women see the cur- into the area to log and farm the tribes of North America and incoming would-be settlers from Europe. rent side of Native American land. The US government then She explained the Native American world before Europeans, showed treatment and affairs on a daily adopted a policy of moving the local the progressive waves of American settlement, the progression of fed- basis. They gave disheartening Potawatomi out of the area and eral laws, and many military interventions. statistics for the continuing ne- further west. This bluff is said to be glect and abuse of Na- named for Cogomoccasin, leader tive Americans, par- of one of the nearby displaced (Wiki Commons) ticularly women. For decades, Potawatomi villages. Native American Industrial Schools, the residential school sys- In 1948, the site was excavated tem for children, forced the Native American children in their by a University of Michigan team, care to abandon their cultural heritage and language. Physical which found pottery, skeletal abuse of Native American women seems to continue to this day. remains and remnants of corn and Ms. Kasper presented sobering statistics on the number of miss- storage pits. In 2002, Michigan ing Native American women. The speakers further discussed State University excavated a wet- the federal laws dealing with crimes on reservations. land area at a lower elevation that The fi nal speaker was Dr. Harvey Burnett, Jr. Dr. Burnett had not been previously examined. holds a PhD in Counseling Psychology and an MDiv from An- The Moccasin Bluff Site is located drews University, and a BA in Psychology from the University on a terrace along Red Bud Trail. of Michigan-Dearborn. Dr. Burnett is currently an Associate The terrace overlooks a wide bend Professor of Psychology at Andrews University in the Behav- in the St. Joseph River containing Ruth Writer, Harvey Burnett, Casey Kasper, Kevin Doughterty, Jennifer Topash-LeBlanc ioral Sciences Department. Dr. Burnett is a fully licensed psy- a pair of islands (Batchelors and chologist in the state of Michigan and is also a sergeant with the Debs). The site is protected by a Ruth called fi rst on local Pokagon Elder, Kevin Dougherty, who is Buchanan Police Department, and President of the BHS School Board. half-circle of hills to the north, west both Chairman of the Pokagon Committee of Tradition and Repatria- As a member of the Ojibwa Tribe, Dr. Burnett explained the relation- and south. (-various sources) tion and a Potawatomi language instructor. ship between various abuses suffered by Native Americans, the historic Kevin fi lled in the evidence of possibly 8-10,000-year Native Amer- destruction of family and culture, and the high incidence of suicide and ican occupation and migration through the Buchanan area. a lower life expectancy. Deerskin He also explained the observation by invading European The speakers explained that Native American youth are abandoning moccasins would-be settlers that this was “an empty country” (and destructive behaviors seen in past generations. Also, as was mentioned embellished therefore fi t for the taking). Earlier Spanish occupations by the speakers, two Native American women have just been elected with from Mexico and mid-America had brought European to the US House of Representatives—a fi rst! Thus, there is hope for porcupine disease, against which the Native American oc- greater representation on Native American issues and injustices. quills. cupants had no natural defenses. These For a further glimpse of local Native American activities among new diseases had killed 9 out of 10 the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi (Pokégnek Bodéwadmik) look at Native Americans by the time our the website: www.pokagon.com/ area witnessed European settlement. -Randal Peart The rapid elimination of Native American culture by the early Europeans continued for almost four hundred years. This was made apparent by two next-generation What’s Inside. speakers describing current conditions in Native Page 2: LETTERS, ETC. PAGE 4: BODY, MIND, PAGE 6: SCHOOL STUFF, ETC American society, since they both work promot- Publisher’s Note SPIRIT & SOUL BHS Band at State Competition i n g Native American welfare. Red Bud Trail closure Community Carol Sing Honor Credit Union Awards Lions Club News Letter to the Editor & Concerts Ottawa Buddy Benches See page 7 for much more information in Election Results Christmas Dinner for 35 Teddy BallGames’ donation The Paper Volunteers RAM Needs for December celebration of Native American Heritage PAGE 7: MISC. Month, including a map showing Moccasin & Contact Information Story of St. Nicholas Native Americans Culture Our Sponsors Bluff, a recipe, the meaning of the Four PAGE 5: BUCKTOWN & BEYOND Map of Moccasin Bluff PAGE 3: LIFE IS BETTER HERE Bus Trip: Christkindlmarket Fry Bread Recipe Winds, and an interview with Dr. Burnett. Four directions Demolition at Fourth & Red Bud Buchananites win DAR Awards Opinion Section Snow Cones for Sight Page 8: Calendar Sterling Big Bear White Saturday Events gave a blessing. THE PAPER November 23–December 7, 2018 Letters, Etc. Page 2 MARY LISTER, Publisher All letters to the editor may be edited for PATRICIA BANKER, Editor grammar and spelling, but not content (unless for length). y Challenge. When he was three years old, my son We want to hear from you, and share your voice. Mwas throwing a ball to me and hollered, “Pay attention, The comments here include opinions, observations and Mary!” I’m sure he’d heard others say that, but he was right. viewpoints which are not necessarily refl ected by The Paper. Unfortunately, I still am pressed by outside thoughts and We will print your name or withhold it as you request, but we must know the issues which divert attention to things which are mundane to source in order to publish. We also reserve the right not to publish. many, but perhaps matter to me more than they should. One of those is use, or rather misuse, of the English language. With election season just past, we still welcome all political commentary, but Somehow, I developed a fairly decent writing ability over the guidelines above still apply. Please keep it as brief as possible. If it needs to the years, but never was blessed with the ability to easily be edited for length, we will return it and ask you to do so. The best way to sub- speak my thoughts in interesting ways, as do most of my mit is via email. We will not publish anything that might be considered slander friends, relatives and acquaintances. In fact, if you are or libelous. We also will ask for verifi cation of “facts.” reading this, you are probably one of those who are good conversationalists, because I cannot think of anyone I know who is not gifted in some way with speaking their thoughts. USEFUL SPENDING Some do it with fast responses, some with quick wit, others The lane division street sign on River Street, approaching Red with few words, some with many words, others with long Bud Trail, has been bent, so a car near it can’t read which lane pauses but you know something else is coming, some who to take. never take a break until the thought is done, some who lis- It would probably cost $20 of some City employee’s time to ten, some who just want to talk, and a few who can convey straighten it out, if our budget can stand the expense. Oh, there’s their thoughts just through facial expressions! always the Reserve funds, if there’s anything left there after the My problem is that when someone uses totally improper Curb cut on 4th Street. Why are we doing that, does anybody Red Bud Trail will be closed for language, such and “me and her went...,” my thoughts jump remember? two weeks beginning to...
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