Sharing Not Only Tribe’s History, But Also Its Present and Future

The NHBP Community’s history, present and future, as well as its lasting impact on the area, can be seen throughout the new History Education Center in the Battle Creek Regional History Museum (BCRHM), located at the west end of Battle Creek’s downtown, at 307 W. Jackson St.

The History Education Center — a large conference-style room with a 120-person capacity, complete with advanced technology and a stage —officially opened during a Dedication Ceremony held by the Museum Board on May 20, 2023.

The museum’s tagline encapsulates the complex nature of history: “Together we preserve the past to give our history a future.”

This tagline was also incorporated by NHBP Tribal Member and artist Alexandria Sulainis, 32, of Lac de Flambeau, Wisconsin. Sulainis was selected to undertake the massive project of creating a 420-square-foot mural specifically to be placed on an entire wall of the History Education Center.

“It was really important to me to not just share only our history, but also our present and our future as well,” said Sulainis during the dedication ceremony.

The five-panel, detailed mural was possible due to a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. With abstract Potawatomi applique on the bottom and a “nod to bandolier bags” on the side panels, the mural depicts a river as the central focus, with storytelling and daily life scenes for the Potawatomi in the backgrounds, before contact with white settlers.

After the ribbon-cutting, NHBP Community Drummers opened with a Song on stage.

Tribal Council Secretary Nancy Smit and NHBP Tribal Elder Paula Stuck each presented NHBP Cultural history to the group and how important this museum was to them personally, as well as to NHBP.

“I didn’t learn much about our nationality (growing up); we didn’t have Pow Wows then,” said Stuck.

She also told of her first meeting with BCRHM Board Chair Doug Sturdivant, as she volunteered at Kendall Street Pantry, and how “immediately we clicked.”

Stuck learned of the museum through Sturdivant’s passion for the project.

“I respect him immensely. He is the first person, in my 71 years of life, who ever asked to get the opinion of my Tribe to portray our history,” said Stuck. “White men have portrayed our history, and it was not accurate.”

“This is a blessing here today, and without Doug, that would not be possible,” said Stuck. “I am learning more about our Tribe from my son (and current Tribal Council Members), our brand-new family, and we are very proud to interact with this museum. I thank Doug for giving us that opportunity.”

Smit discussed how “in the Athens area, a group of people got together, and they were able to obtain that little 80 acres and look at what it’s grown into today, so I want to thank everyone that’s here, and all the people who believed in what a community can do.”

Presenting after the two Tribal Elders, Sulainis thanked not only them for their words and presence, as “they help me find my footing and find my voice,” but also, “I’m just thankful for (Tribal Member) Nickole Keith, who has given me so much of her time and passion for life to this museum, and especially to the creation of this room. It would not exist without her sacrifice of time and energy… she believes in the importance of this museum and especially of this room.”

Sulainis also said, “I am thankful to spend my energy and my life with this project to be able to represent our People in a way that is accurate. A lot of times, people like the idea of Native artists but don’t necessarily want to work with Native artists… I’m grateful to this Board for letting us have our voice and depicting us in a way that is accurate…”

“You can’t talk about the history of the area without talking about us, but we are not a past tense people. We are still here. The more that message can be shared, maybe some of that dialogue can change.”

In addition to the entire mural wall being dedicated to the NHBP, a large photo of “Young John” Chief Moguago is prominently displayed as the second photo on the Regional History Wall. Visitors will be greeted by Chief Moguago’s image each time they enter the museum’s new History Education Center.

“We are thrilled to finally dedicate the History Education Center, which will be a catalyst toward a future museum,” said BCRHM Board Member Michael Delaware, who also served as Chairman of the center’s fundraising efforts. “This state-of-the-art facility is a community asset for presentations and learning opportunities and will be well utilized.”

According to the museum board, the History Education Center’s opening marks the first phase toward a full-scale regional history museum and attraction. For more information about the museum, please visit www.bcrhm.org.

For more photos of the event, please visit https://nhbp.passgallery.com/-BCRegionalHistoryMuseumNHBPMural.