Expanding Indigenous Education at Sleeping Bear Dunes

Photo credit: Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes

 

Image description: A presenter stands on a stage in a forested amphitheater, speaking to an audience seated on wooden benches. The setting is outdoors, surrounded by tall trees and greenery.

 

---

Protecting resources and heightening visitor experiences in partnership with Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is the mission of Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, an almost thirty-year-old volunteer organization of more than 700 volunteer members. Led by a small staff, Friends helps maintain trails, beaches, and rivers, assists in preserving historic landscapes, and creates new trails, among many other activities.  

With its recently received Diversity Equity Inclusion (DEI) Fund grant from the Community Foundation, the organization is looking to add programming taught by local Tribes to educate park visitors on Native American culture, specifically, Anishinaabe culture. The funds will pay the experts, presenters, and Tribe members who will participate, along with the handouts and materials provided to program participants.   

Diversity, equity, inclusion grants provide funding for organizations led by Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQ+, immigrant, neurodiverse, and disability community members, thus supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties. 

“We have seen an increased interest from our park visitors to learn more about Native American history and culture,” said Kerry Kelly, staff member of Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes. “This [grant] provides the park with an opportunity to engage with our Native American neighbors to share their customs and history–we want to start integrating this information into more park programs.” 

Kelly and Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes can now expand park programs focusing on Indigenous culture, allowing them to engage with experts and local Tribes to integrate existing programming with new subject matter. None of this would have been possible if the DEI Fund didn’t exist.  

“We were very excited to know our local community is supportive of these programs that help our community, park visitors, and park staff learn more about Native American traditions,” said Kelly. “The more we understand each other, the more accepting we are of each other. And the richer our own culture and heritage is.” 

---

Writer: Alex Dailey