Water ceremony connects to Making Waves kickoff event

October 12, 2021 (Volume 45, Number 4)

group of people standing in semi-circle outside in Grand Ravines Park with forest of trees behind them

Lin Bardwell, Native American student initiative coordinator, speaks during a water ceremony September 13 at the Grand Ravines Lodge. Local Anishinaabe leaders gave an oral history about the Grand River during the event.

Photo Credit: Valerie Hendrickson

In mid-September, GVSU students, faculty and staff members held a water ceremony at the Grand Ravines Lodge, south of the Allendale Campus.

Lin Bardwell, Native American student initiative coordinator, said local Anishinaabe leaders, representing the Grand River Band of Ottawa Indians, delivered an oral history about Owashtanong — the far-flowing waters of the Grand River and its significance to the Anishinaabe people.

The September 13 event was connected to other Making Waves Initiative activities, including a kayaking event for 100 students from the Frederik Meijer Honors College and participating in the West Michigan Environmental Action Council’s 18th Annual Mayors’ Grand River Cleanup.

For more information about Making Waves, visit gvsu.edu/makingwaves.