Harbor Springs in Emmet County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Andrew J. Blackbird / Mack-e-te-be-nesey

c. 1815 - 1908

— 2007 Lansing Michigan Walk of Fame Inductee —

Andrew J. Blackbird / Mack-e-te-be-nesey Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 25, 2016

1. Andrew J. Blackbird / Mack-e-te-be-nesey Marker

Inscription.

Educated first in Odawa (Ottawa) skills and traditions, Andrew J. Blackbird struggled to find the resources to attend Euro-American schools. He eventually studied at Ypsilanti State Normal School. His command of English enabled him to work as an interpreter for the Mackinac Indian Agency. He helped gain Michigan citizenship for Native Americans under the 1850 Constitution and became Postmaster of Harbor Springs in the 1860's. Blackbird also helped widows and children of Civil War soldiers obtain benefits. His "History of the Ottawa and Chippewa Indians of Michigan", published in 1867, includes a grammar of the Odawa language and his autobiography [was o]ne of the first written by a Native American.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Government & Politics • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 45° 25.827′ N, 84° 59.086′ W. Marker is in Harbor Springs, Michigan, in Emmet County. Marker is on Main Street (State Highway 119) west of Judd Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 368 East Main Street, Harbor Springs MI 49740, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Andrew J. Blackbird House / Makade Binisii Wegamik

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(here, next to this marker); Ephraim Shay (within shouting distance of this marker); GR&I Railroad Depot (approx. ¼ mile away); World Wars Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Little Traverse Bay (approx. 3.9 miles away); St. Francis Solanus Indian Mission (approx. 3.9 miles away); Library (approx. 3.9 miles away); Post Office (approx. 3.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harbor Springs.

Also see . . .
1. Andrew J. Blackbird. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on September 8, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

2. History of the Ottawa and Chippewa Indians of Michigan. A Grammar of Their Language, and Personal and Family History of the Author
Google Books website entry (Submitted on September 8, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

3. Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. Tribal website homepage (Submitted on September 8, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

4. Andrew J. Blackbird Museum. Visit Harbor Springs website entry (Submitted on September 8, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Andrew Blackbird, chief of the Ottawa Nation. image. Click for full size.

via Wikipedia, unknown

2. Andrew Blackbird, chief of the Ottawa Nation.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 25, 2016

3. Andrew J. Blackbird / Mack-e-te-be-nesey Marker

On building wall, between windows

Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 296 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 8, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on January 25, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on September 8, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.