NMU Dedicates U.P. Tribal Nations Flag Display

Northern Michigan University recently held a dedication ceremony for a new permanent display of flags in the Superior Dome representing each of the five Upper Peninsula tribal nations: the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians; the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa; and the Keweenaw Bay, Hannahville and Bay Mills Indian Communities.

The event featured comments from tribal and university leaders, drumming, singing, a color guard and light refreshments.

"It's an honor to be here to tell part of this story, and to take part in the documentation as we gather together to recognize collective tribal nation representation and individual tribal nation's sovereignty in this prominent space," said Tyler Detloff, director of the NMU Center for Native American Studies.

"This display conveys the continuation of NMU's commitment to serve Native nations of the Upper Peninsula. The flags are displayed in sunrise order from east to west, representing their geographical locations across the region. Nmu is proud to serve Native families and alumni. A new initiative, Strengthening Pathways North, is aimed at increasing degree completion among American Indian and Alaska Native students, while improving retention for all students. Nmu was recently awarded grant funding from the state of Michigan for this endeavor."

Detloff said a conservative count estimates that 129 students from the five U.P. tribal nations earned their degrees from Northern between 2019-2024.

NMU alumna Brigitte LaPointe-Dunham spoke in her dual capacity as a member of the NMU Board of Trustees and chief executive officer of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC).

"Northern students, faculty, staff and administrators continue to find new ways to honor the history and culture of tribal communities and their important roles in the Upper Peninsula and Great Lakes region," she said. "Seeing these flags is a reminder of our shared history and connection to this land. If you look at the KBIC flag and tribal seal, you will see the image reflects our connection to the water. The eagle is a symbol of courage and healing, and the seven sun rays represent each of our seven grandfather teachings that hold priority in our culture."

The endeavor to display the flags of the five tribal nations began with Tyler LaPlaunt, NMU alumnus and vice chair of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

"We know what can happen when we build community together, and that's part of seeing all five of our U.P. tribes represented here," LaPlaunt said. "We are coming together as one nation, as the Three Fires Confederacy, which originally was part of our belief and governance system, while also maintaining our sovereign presence. It's important to note that students can hear the land acknowledgement and the drum at the beginning of ceremony and look up and know that they're represented forever through this display of flags. To some, this may not be huge. To us, it means everything because it's a step forward in the right direction."

NMU President Gavin Leach said that, since the early '90s, Northern has made a dedicated effort to increase ways highlight Native history and culture on campus.

"Going forward, we have strong programs and strategic goals to continue to grow these opportunities," he added. "One of the strategies in our strategic plan is to nurture Indigenous perspectives, programs and peoples at NMU in order to honor, learn from and partner with the tribal nations that have thrived in our region for many generations. As part of this, we plan to work toward more integration of Indigenous thinking methodologies that are responsive to the unique social and cultural needs of Native American students, and also use those methodologies to broaden the learning of all students, faculty and staff."

Learn more about NMU's Center for Native American Studies here.