The Anishnaabek in the 21st Century

The Anishnaabek in the 21st Century. . , Mackinac Island, from time immemorial to the present day, holds a significant place in the traditions, culture, and history of the Anishnaabek. A home for spirits and a vibrant trading post, Mackinac Island served the Anishnaabek in many ways. The current generation of Anishnaabek maintains this special relationship with the island. , , The Odawa and Ojibway continued to fight to stay in northern Michigan during the 20th century. The tribes faced forced assimilation, civilization policies, boarding schools, and ever-changing social and economic environments. At the end of the 20th century, Odawa and Ojibway fishing rights were contested by sport fishermen and the State of Michigan. Anishnaabek treaty rights were ultimately upheld, allowing the Odawa and Ojibway to continue to fish as their ancestors had done for hundreds of years. , , Left image caption: Tribal fishermen continue to ply their trade on the Straits of Mackinac. , , Right image caption: During the 1930s, the Works Progress Administration employed Anishnaabek men on Mackinac Island. Here, WPA workers assemble furniture in the Scout Barracks behind Fort Mackinac., Today, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians has tribal lands just north of the island near St. Ignace. The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians has tribal lands at Mackinaw City. Both locations were historic village sites for the Anishnaabek. Through multiple wars, political upheaval, and social changes, the Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa and Little Traverse Odawa have maintained a presence around Mackinac Island., Left image caption: Anishnaabek crafts, such as the baskets sold by these women near Fort Mackinac around 1900, proved popular with tourists visiting Mackinac Island. , , Right image caption: The Holy Childhood School in Harbor Springs was one of many Michigan boarding schools for Native children. These boarding school attempted to suppress Native culture through forced assimilation into American society.