Menominee cultural site listed on National Register of Historic Places

From: Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin
June 23, 2023

Pictured here within a Menominee ceremonial dance ring, from left, are Archaeologist Dr. David Overstreet, Menominee Tribal Historic Preservation Director David "Nahwahquaw" Grignon, Tribal member Tony Brown, and Menominee High School students Kahkamahot Waupekenay, Glen Miller, Lupe Corn, Lois Turney, and Aaliyah Webster, with their teacher, Dawn Wilber. Click here for larger photo. (Photo courtesy Menominee Tribe)

KESHENA, WI -- The Menominee Tribe is extremely happy to learn that its nomination to have the Sixty Islands or Anaem Omot (Dogs Belly) area in Wisconsin and Michigan be added to the National Register of Historic Places was approved. This recognizes critical burial and historic sites at the place of the Menominee Tribe's origin.

Chairwoman Gena Kakkak was overwhelmed with gratitude, saying, "We are so very thankful to the National, Park Service for including this site on the National Register of Historic Places. Our ancestors can now rest better in their places of burial. Our original spiritual and ceremonial grounds are recognized and our children can continue to learn and find their heritage in our places of origin."

Tribal Historic Preservation Director David Grignon called this a historic day for the Menominee people. Grignon has worked for years with archaeologist David Overstreet to achieve the historic preservation nomination in both Wisconsin and Michigan.*

"It was a long time in coming," Grignon said, "but now our sacred sites, mounds and historic sites on the Menominee River at Sixty Islands are recognized."

During the July 23, 2022, Water Festival, held by the Coalition to SAVE the Menominee River on Stephenson Island in Marinette, Wis., Menominee Tribal Historic Preservation Director David Grignon speaks about protection for the Menominee cultural resources located near the Menominee River and the Tribe's origins on the banks of the River. (File photo © and courtesy Karen Slattery)*

Menominee Tribal member Dawn Wilber, who teaches Menominee culture and language at Menominee High School in Keshena, Wis., and who has co-organized four annual Menominee Canoe Trips to call attention to the need to protect both the sacred sites and the river, commented on the news of this historic listing.**

"We just cannot say thank you enough because everything was done in the name of preserving the culture, historical and sacred sites of the Menominee people and our most beloved and beautiful Menominee River!" Wilber writes. "Our people now and our people that are yet to come are so grateful and will be so grateful for all these actions. It is the most amazing news that we’ve heard in a long, long time."

Dawn Wilber is pictured here with her nieces and nephews, who attended, along with other students, Wilber's June 29, 2022, Ancient Tour of Menominee sacred sites. The tour preceded the fourth annual Menominee Canoe Trip. (File photo © and courtesy Dawn Wilber)**

The Anaem Omot or Sixty Islands area of the Menominee River is located about 16 miles east of Stephenson, Michigan. Settlement remains date back roughly 10,000 years to the last Ice Age.

The tribe has worked for several years to advocate for this listing and to protect the culturally sensitive areas that include burial mounds, garden beds and ceremonial sites. Menominee tribal members and advocacy groups remain connected to this area for cultural purposes.

Burial mound near the Menominee River, not far from the proposed Back 40 mine site. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

One important need for this protection is the threat posed by the proposed Back 40 sulfide mine for gold, copper, zinc and lead -- which could be built very close to the river and the sacred sites. 

The 5th Annual Menominee Canoe Trip, June 29 to July 3, 2023, will again offer participants an opportunity to canoe on this beautiful river to call attention to the dangers of potential sulfide mining. This year it will also be an occasion to celebrate the fact that the Sixty Islands cultural sites are now approved for the National Register of Historic Places.

Early morning, peaceful scenic view of the Menominee River just before the canoe launch on Day 2 of last year's Canoe Trip. (File photo © and courtesy Wayne Swett)

The Menominee Tribe, having no migration story, are the original people of this land from time memorial. For more information on the Menominee Tribe visit their Web site: https://www.menominee-nsn.gov/

Editor's Notes:

* For background on the opposition to the Back 40 Mine and more on David Grignon's talk, see the Keweenaw Now Sept. 8, 2022, article, "Coalition to SAVE the Menominee River holds Water Celebration featuring Native, non-Native speakers on Back 40 mining project."

** See also the July 14, 2022, Keweenaw Now article, "Water protectors complete 4th Annual Menominee on Menominee Canoe Trip against threat of Back 40 mining project."