Greenleaf Township near Argyle in Sanilac County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Ezhibiigaadek Asin
Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park
Photographed by Craig Doda, November 21, 2022
1. Ezhibiigaadek Asin Marker
Written On Stone
Ezhibiigaadek asin represents the collective memory of the Great Lakes Anishinabek (Original People) ancestors. Throughout the Anishinabek aboriginal territory, certain areas were used for ceremony. These areas were sought out for their spiritual power and significance. Ceremonies and teachings were conducted at these sacred sites, and many ceremonies still exist today.
Petroglyph sites contain valuable lessons and lend a particular spiritual reference because they directly reflect upon Anishinabek oral history. Some ezhibiigaadek asin are said to contain very important information, such as Creation and Prophecy Stories. These stories are of particular importance because they have been handed down from one generation to the next.
Other symbols on ezhibiigaadek asin depict daily life and history, such as animal clans and celestial and/or seasonal events The Anishinabek lived in small groups, usually by clan. Life was dictated by the seasons. These small groups hunted, fished and trapped wild game on the rivers, lakes and stream of the Great Lakes The Anishinabek grew crops, harvested maple sugar
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Spirituality played an important role in Anishinabek life. The people lived by the spiritual context of the world that defined them. The world is illustrated in the petroglyphs. The Anishinabek universe and all that it entailed were carved in stone. Some of the same ezhibiigaadek asin imagery found here can also be seen within some sacred wiigwas (birchbark) scrolls, reflected in earthworks (mounds) and seen in pictographs (rock paintings).
These carvings and their teachings are helping the 21st century Anishinabek understand their history, their present and their future.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities.
Location. 43° 39.381′ N, 83° 1.271′ W. Marker is near Argyle, Michigan, in Sanilac County. It is in Greenleaf Township. It can be reached from Germania Road south of Bay City Forestville Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker
Photographed by Craig Doda, November 21, 2022
2. Ezhibiigaadek Asin Marker
Regionally, this marker is on Michigan’s Thumb and in one of the Lake Huron Shore counties. It is also in the American Midwest. Globally, it is in North America, on the Great Lakes, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Archaeology (here, next to this marker); Sanilac Petroglyphs Park Geology (within shouting distance of this marker); Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Ezhibiigaadek Asin (about 600 feet away); The Great Thumb Fires (about 700 feet away); Sanilac Petroglyphs (about 700 feet away); Native Plants (about 700 feet away); The Cass River (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Argyle.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, May 30, 2026
3. Ezhibiigaadek Asin Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 23, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 214 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 23, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 3. submitted on August 7, 2026, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
