Gchi Mshiiken Deh Minising/Heart of the Great Turtle Island is a collaborative project to reimagine the Father Marquette National Memorial in Straits State Park, St. Ignace, Michigan.

The project recenters interpretation around the thriving Anishinaabe (Odawa, Ojibwe, and Potawatomi) people and cultures, whose history provides context for Father Marquette’s experiences and whose impact and influence extend to the present day.

About – The Project – Get Involved

The Project

We are implementing Phase 1 of the master plan, which includes building a Learning Commons and new structures on the Powwow Grounds, as well as interpretation through art, history exhibits, and programs.

Project Overview

The site’s location at the Straits of Mackinac gives it added importance to the Anishinaabeg, as the straits are the location of their creation story and at the center of their vision of North America as “turtle island.” The project recenters the narrative around the thriving Anishinaabe (Odawa, Ojibwe, and Potawatomi) people and cultures whose pre- and post- contact history provide context for Marquette’s experiences and their own continuing story.

Project work involves:

• A flexible Learning Commons to house exhibitions and year-round meeting space for workshops, classes, and conversations,
• New, permanent structures at the Powwow Grounds,
• A Community Kitchen Pavilion for powwows and educational programs,
• Refreshed and new Interpretive trails,
• Site interpretation through art installations, exhibits, public events, and education programs.

Phase 1 Plans

Phase 1 architectural work is nearly complete. We hope to have bid documents ready by April 2024. These are renderings of the draft plans for the Learning Commons and the Powwow Grounds:

The Learning Commons:

• Rendering of front from the existing parking lot
• Floor plan
• Site plan

The Powwow Grounds

• Rendering of the entrance and shade structures
• Site Plan

Future Plans

The conceptual master plan developed in 2019 includes additional recreation/interpretive trails, a recreation access point closer to US-2, development of the site’s natural amphitheater, and a possible location for a compatible private business. While our immediate attention is focused on completing the Phase 1 projects, we continue to look for partnerships and support for these developments. We are also working with the Department of Transportation on the feasibility of a recreation bridge over I-75.

• Aerial Photo
• Conceptual Master Plan Image

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Get Involved

The basic financial support and interpretive plans for Phase 1 of the project are in place, but there are still opportunities to contribute ideas and support for interpretation, programs, and further enhancements of the site.

Donate

With a generous grant from the Mellon Foundation, and earlier grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Natural Resources Trust Fund, and support from Michigan businesses, organizations, and individuals, we are beginning Phase 1 construction. Your contributions can help us create trails, programming, and interpretation that will make the site a site for youth and learning, a recreational asset for all, and a must-visit attraction for residents and visitors, for years to come. Please consider making a donation—small or large, it will make a difference.

Become a Partner

Are you interested in learning more about our collaborative and the project? Are you part of a business or organization that shares our vision to develop a heritage plan for Straits State Park that inspires reflection, learning and healthy life styles built around the heritage of the region? We would love to talk to you. Please contact Sandra Clark, Michigan History Center director, at 517-243-4041 or ClarkSS@michigan.gov or use the contact form.