Journey of Forgiveness to heal past with song, dance

An unprecedented nation-wide trip, the Journey of Forgiveness, is coming to Mount Pleasant.

White Bison Incorporated, an American Indian non-profit, is travelling to 18 different states to visit 23 former Native American boarding school sites in 40 days to promote forgiveness and healing in the American Indian communities.

The Journey of Forgiveness in Mount Pleasant on June 17, is looking to heal locally.

Kateri Vergez, the program coordinator for White Bison Inc., said Mount Pleasant was chosen due to its location and school.

“We were looking at locations where schools were located and a central (location) so people all over the state can attend,” she said.

The idea began in 2008, Vergez said, after elders instructed the group to go on the journey.

“Our last task through healing is to forgive the unforgivable,” she said. “We want to bring awareness to the issue.”

Shannon Martin, the director of the Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture and Lifeways, 6650 E. Broadway St., said the history of American Indian boarding schools is rarely discussed in our culture.

“Awareness and dialogue surrounding this issue has been dormant,” she said.

The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe is the primary site coordinator for the event, Martin said.

The Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial School was in operation from 1893 to 1933. Annual enrollment by 1911 grew to 300 students housed in 11 buildings.

The event will begin at 7:00 a.m. at the tribal operation center, 7070 E. Broadway Road, Martin said, with the Sunrise Ceremony and non-denominational prayers. The group will then walk from the center to the former industrial school, she said, a distance of about five miles.

Lunch will be served at the school site, she said, along with a 100 drum honor song and a healing dance. The drums, Martin said, are meant to show honor to a 100 feather hoop brought on the journey by White Bison.

“We wanted to honor the hoop, and the journey, and all of our relatives and families (with the song,)” she said.

At 3:30 p.m., Martin said, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian tribe is sponsoring a 5K Human Race run/walk, a feast and a concert for participants at the tribe’s Elijah Elk Cultural Center. National recording artist Ulali will perform, she said.

“(The concert is) a fun event to wrap up the day’s events,” Martin said.

Guest speakers and a panel discussion will also occur throughout the day, she said.

White Bison will end their journey on June 24, in Washington, D.C., to request a formal apology from President Barack Obama on behalf of the government for the mistreatment of the American Indian tribes.

Support in Mount Pleasant has been amazing, Martin said.

“We’ve been experiencing tremendous support from natives and non-natives,” she said.

Tribes from around Michigan plan to attend this event, Martin said, and the group expects 800 to 1,000 participants. Everyone is welcome to attend, she said.

More information about the Journey of Forgiveness may be found at www.whitebison.org. More information about the history of American Indian boarding schools may be found at the Ziibiwing Center.

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