Mackinac Island in Mackinac County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Center of the Anishnaabek World

— Native American Cultural History Trail —

Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 1, 2025

1. The Center of the Anishnaabek World Marker, Side One

Inscription.

The Center of the Anishnaabek World. . , Side 1 , Mackinac Island holds significant meaning for the Anishnaabek (the Odawa/Ottawa, Ojibway/Chippewa, and Potawatomi). Home to spirits, ancestors, and the location of historic events, it is also the center of many Anishnaabek beliefs. Oral traditions hold that the island was created at the beginning of the world, and tell of a multitude of spirits living here, bestowing gifts and knowledge upon the Anishnaabek. , , Many Anishnaabek believe their ancestors originated in the east. Migrating west, the Anishnaabek stopped and held a grand council at the Straits of Mackinac. From here, the Odawa, Ojibway, and Potawatomi went to their respective homelands: the Ojibway to the north and west, the Potawatomi to the south, and the Odawa remaining here in the straits. These tribes continue to live in these areas today. , , Lower right image caption: Captain Louis-Armand de Lom d'acre de Lahontan drew this map of the Straits of Mackinac, including Native villages on the north and south shores, around 1717. , , Side 2 , Mackinac Island is at the center of the Great Lakes. The French, British, and Americans recognized its strategic location. For the Anishnaabek, the island was more than a military and trading outpost- ceremonies were held on the island, celebrating seasons, important events and paying respect to the world around the Anishnaabek. Mackinac Island was at the center of the Anishnaabek world. , , Inset box: , Many traditions hold that the island's original name, Michilimackinac, translates as "Great Turtle" in the Anishnaabek language. The island resembles a giant turtle rising out of the Great Lakes. Turtles play a prominent role in the Anishnaabek culture and traditions, giving the island a deeper meaning for the indigenous populations. , , Odawa historian Andrew Blackbird disagreed with this explanation. According to Blackbird, the island's original inhabitants were the Mi-shi-ne-mackinaw=go tribe, who were allied with the Odawa and lived here before European contact. The Iroquois destroyed the Mi-shi-ne-mackinaw-go. Blackbird claimed that the name of the island became a memorial to this long-forgotten tribe. , , Top left image caption: The Odawa, such as the man in this 1675 drawing by Fr. Louis Nicolas, were among the original inhabitants of the Straits of Mackinac.

Side 1
Mackinac Island holds significant meaning for the Anishnaabek (the Odawa/Ottawa, Ojibway/Chippewa, and Potawatomi). Home to spirits, ancestors, and the location of historic events, it is also the center of many Anishnaabek beliefs. Oral traditions hold that the island was created at the beginning of the world, and tell of a multitude of spirits living here, bestowing gifts and knowledge upon the Anishnaabek.

Many Anishnaabek believe their ancestors originated in the east. Migrating west, the Anishnaabek stopped and held a grand council at the Straits of Mackinac. From here, the Odawa, Ojibway, and Potawatomi went to their respective homelands: the Ojibway to the north and west, the Potawatomi to the south, and the Odawa remaining here in the straits. These tribes continue to live in these areas today.

Lower right image caption: Captain Louis-Armand de Lom d'acre de Lahontan drew this map of the Straits of Mackinac, including Native villages on the north and south shores, around 1717.

Side 2
Mackinac Island is at the center of the Great Lakes. The French, British, and Americans recognized its strategic

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location. For the Anishnaabek, the island was more than a military and trading outpost- ceremonies were held on the island, celebrating seasons, important events and paying respect to the world around the Anishnaabek. Mackinac Island was at the center of the Anishnaabek world.

Inset box:
Many traditions hold that the island's original name, Michilimackinac, translates as "Great Turtle" in the Anishnaabek language. The island resembles a giant turtle rising out of the Great Lakes. Turtles play a prominent role in the Anishnaabek culture and traditions, giving the island a deeper meaning for the indigenous populations.

Odawa historian Andrew Blackbird disagreed with this explanation. According to Blackbird, the island's original inhabitants were the Mi-shi-ne-mackinaw=go tribe, who were allied with the Odawa and lived here before European contact. The Iroquois destroyed the Mi-shi-ne-mackinaw-go. Blackbird claimed that the name of the island became a memorial to this long-forgotten tribe.

Top left image caption: The Odawa, such as the man in this 1675 drawing by Fr. Louis Nicolas, were among the original inhabitants of the Straits

The Center of the Anishnaabek World Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 1, 2025

2. The Center of the Anishnaabek World Marker, Side Two

of Mackinac.

Erected 2017 by Mackinac State Historic Parks and Mackinac Associates.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 1717.

Location. 45° 51.455′ N, 84° 36.373′ W. Marker is on Mackinac Island, Michigan, in Mackinac County. It is on Lake Shore Boulevard (State Highway 185 at milepost 1), on the left when traveling north. Marker is north of Arch Rock (between the stairway to Arch Rock and the Arch Rock Viewpoint). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mackinac Island MI 49757, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

and on the Straits of Mackinac.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Sanilac Arch

The Center of the Anishnaabek World Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 1, 2025

3. The Center of the Anishnaabek World Marker

Nearby donor acknowledgement marker.

(within shouting distance of this marker); Gitchie Manitou (within shouting distance of this marker); Arch Rock: Unsurpassed in Nature's Handiwork (within shouting distance of this marker); Nicolet Watch Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); Arch Rock (within shouting distance of this marker); Dwightwood Spring (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Holmes (approx. half a mile away); Resting Place of the Ancestors (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mackinac Island.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 1, 2025

4. The Center of the Anishnaabek World Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2025, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 123 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 8, 2025, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.