The project recognizes that Native American culture celebrates the arts through objects, painting, dance, theater, writing, oratory, and music. We seek input from all Native American artists and those associated with them: artists, singers, musicians, dancers, gallery owners, museum staff, pow wow committees, collectors, and those who appreciate and promote their work.

History
The basis of the idea for this project had been bandied about for a number of years among both Native American artists and arts organizations as well as those individuals and organizations who work closely with Native artists. Efforts like the Great Lakes Indian Arts Association and the fledgling Great Lakes Native Basketmakers Association brought together artists and began to identify means of helping artists, but due to a variety of reasons, including lack of funding, qualified leadership, or institutional/infrastructure support, neither effort was able to be sustained.

In 2001, Frank Ettawageshik (Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians) and Marsha MacDowell were awarded a discretionary grant from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs to conduct a current needs assessment. To that end, a series of gatherings of stakeholders were held at the following locations around the state.

Sept. 5, 2001 6:30-9:00 p.m.• Traverse City Community Room, Education Office, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians, 845 Business Park Drive, Traverse City



Sept. 7, 2001 6:30-9:00 p.m.• Anchor Room, Walker Cisler Center, Lake Superior State University, Sault Ste. Marie



Sept. 18, 2001 6:30-9:00 p.m.• Public Safety Meeting Room, Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan, 6954 East Broadway, Mount Pleasant



Sept. 19, 2001 6:30-9:00 p.m.• Kalamazoo Valley Museum, 230 Rose Street, Kalamazoo



Oct. 2, 2001 6:30-9:00 p.m.• Collector's Resource Room, 3rd Floor, Public Museum of Grand Rapids, Van Andel Museum Center, 272 Pearl St., N.W., Grand Rapids



Oct. 8, 2001 6:30-9:00 p.m.• Nokomis Learning Center, 5153 Marsh Road, Okemos



Oct. 9, 2001 7:00-10:00 p.m.• Taste of History Restaurant, Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village, 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn



In 2002, a report was issued that summarized the findings of the gatherings and outlined a number of strategies for action.

Information about the project personnel
The project is co-managed by Frank Ettawageshik (artist and independent consultant) and Dr. Marsha MacDowell (coordinator of the Michigan Traditional Arts Program and Curator of Folk Arts, MSU Museum).

Frank Ettawageshik, former chairperson of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa, has had years of experience in developing and managing arts and humanities projects. Ettawageshik is currently a member of the Michigan Humanities Council and also serves as a “Road Rider” for the MCACA Rural Arts Initiative.

MacDowell has had over 25 years of experience in successfully developing and implementing a variety of research, education, exhibition, publication, and public service activities pertaining to the traditional arts in the Great Lakes region. She has also served as consultant to numerous national and international projects pertaining to traditional arts, including the exhibit “To Honor and Comfort” Native Quilting Traditions” developed by the MSU Museum in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian.

They are assisted by Dr. Susan Krouse (Oklahoma Cherokee), Curator of Great Lakes Ethnology, Michigan State University Museum and Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology. Krouse has served as a museum director and is currently working on a research and exhibition project related to American Indian veterans.