James, I know it has been quiet lately. I was wondering if you know where I could get a listing of the chiefs of Lac Vieux Desert around the 1750's through to the 1890's. Thanks Lorrie ----- Original Message ----- From: "James P. LaLone" <jplalone@prodigy.net> To: <NISHNAWBE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, October 07, 2004 11:38 PM Subject: [NISHNAWBE] OT - Fw: Burt Lake Band protests sign > Somewhat off topic but it has been quiet so some info is better then none. > > > Cheboygan Tribune > Burt Lake Band protests sign > > > Historic marker at museum honors former sheriff who destroyed an Indian village > > > > By ERICA KOLASKI > > > > Tribune Staff Writer > > > > CHEBOYGAN - A recently erected historical marker has struck a raw nerve amongst members of a local American Indian tribe. > > > > The Historical Society of Cheboygan County erected a historical marker last month at the site of the old county jail and sheriff's residence, which has been the society's museum since 1972. > > > > The sign explains the history of the jail and sheriff's residence on one side and the other is dedicated to Sheriff Frederick Ming. The sign says that Ming was the "most notorious of the 19 lawmen who lived here." > > > > It goes on to state "In October 1900 Ming, his deputies, and speculator John McGinn burned Indian Village on Burt Lake in a land grab from the Indians." > > > > Local resident Curtis Chambers, chairman of the Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, is outraged that the sign gives any credit to Ming, who he says "threw the women and children out into the snow and burned their village." > > > > Chambers said that his grandmother was one of the children that was thrown out into the snow. > > > > "The women and children went to what is now Indian Road in Brutus and lived there with friends and relatives - they had no where else to go," Chambers explained. "To honor this man is a slap in the face to the Burt Lake Band." > > > > He said that he has written to members of Congress as well as local representatives and the governor about the issue. > > > > Quincy Leslie from the local Historical Society said that when the group petitioned for the sign, members did not intend for it to honor Ming. > > > > "They changed the general idea of the sign," said Leslie. "It is not what we were asking for as a matter of information." > > > > Laura Ashley from the state historical society said that the primary purpose of the sign was to educate the public about Michigan history. > > > > "It's true that the burnout is a part of Michigan history, but it's also true that James Earl Ray killed Martin Luther King Jr. and you don't see a statue to him at the Motel Lorraine," said Chambers. > > > > King was gunned down on a balcony at the Motel Lorraine in Memphis, Tenn. on April 4, 1968. > > > > Ashley said that Ming was a significant figure in Michigan history for a number of reasons. > > > > Ming was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 1905 to 1906 and from 1923 to 1924 and served the Cheboygan district from 1925 until 1932. Ashley said that Ming also founded a tuberculosis sanitarium in Gaylord. > > > > "I have encouraged the tribe to apply for their own marker for the site that has more detail about the incident," she said. > > > > At the Cheboygan museum a cabin that was spared in the burning also stands. Chambers said that the cabin belonged to his great-grandfather, Albert Shanaquet. > > > > And although Ashley said that she did receive a call from Chambers, she said she is waiting for a letter to bring before the State Historical Commission so it can decide how to handle the matter. > > > > In the meantime, Chambers has asked the city to cover up or take down the sign. > > > > "We may have to take it down and send it back," said Leslie, although no action has been taken. > > > > > ============================== > Gain access to over two billion names including the new Immigration > Collection with an Ancestry.com free trial. Click to learn more. > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=4930&sourceid=1237 >