Odawa Indians

Mackinac Journal: “‘A Bitter Memory’ — The Burt Lake Burn-out of 1900”

Matthew L.M. Fletcher3 Comments

An important read for anyone in northern Michigan:

A Bitter Memory’ — The Burt Lake Burn-out of 1900

Moreover, it is a fairly direct response to the recent Michigan Historical Review article (here) that essentially argues it was perfectly legal to resort to arson to enforce a foreclosure order. Imagine if that were really true — a bank or a sheriff could simply set alight a foreclosed home, with people inside, in order to enforce a foreclosure order. Obviously not.

Here is an imaged version of article as well, with pics:

Mack Burn article_Page_1 Continue reading →

War of 1812 Reenactment at Fort Mackinac

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Yesterday, we traveled to Mackinac Island (Turtle Island) to view the reenactment of the opening “battle” of the War of 1812, where a group of several hundred Indians, British veterans (described as victims of “unconquerable drunkenness”), and French voyageurs (many not wearing any shoes), took the fort from the Americans without a shot. It is true that the terror of seeing hundreds of Indians in the woods outside the fort forced the Americans to surrender quickly.

Eric Hemenway was one of the speakers introducing the event, and as always gave a delightful and informative talk about what the event meant to Michigan Indians.

Here are a few pics: Continue reading →