Native American Land Gift Historical Marker

An interesting fact not told often is that our university has grown upon Native American land. In the early 1800s, many Native Americans were familiar with Western culture, and interracial marriages were not uncommon. They knew a Western education could be valuable. Because of this, local Native American tribes—Ojibwe, Odawa, and Bodewadimi—agreed to “gift” land to U-M, which the university later sold to raise money for its founding. In exchange for the Native Americans’ land, the university made a legal guarantee that their children be taught—a promise that was not fulfilled for at least 130 years. 

This commemorative plaque tells a story of a long fight against disrespect and discrimination that has continued since the 1800s. As you can see, this plaque says 2001—and it wasn’t actually revealed until November of 2002—which makes the recognition quite recent. And the administration did not have a sudden epiphany to create the plaque. 

In 2000, the Student of Color Coalition held a 37 day sit-in on the seventh floor of the Union. 

They were protesting Michigamua, a student group formed in 1901 that held meetings at the top of the Union and assumed the identity of a Native American tribe.

At one time, to join Michigamua, prospective members—who were overwhelmingly white males, elite leaders and athletes—were covered in red brick dust and learned the Michigamua song, with verses like “Whoop and raise the great scalp lock / Cut ‘um off with tomahawk”. Members were also given nicknames like “White Eagle” and “Great Scalper.” Clearly, these practices disrespected and mocked Native American culture. Recruiting new members every year for decades perpetuated these harmful practices. 

In 1989, Michigamua entered a legal contract to eliminate all parodies and references to Native American culture. This was a major protest point for the Students of Color Coalition and Native American Student Association during the 2000 sit-in, as Michigamua clearly violated the contract. 

During the sit-in, students found sacred Native American artifacts like pipes, drums, headdresses, and a cradle board. The occupiers showcased these items and conducted tours of Michiguama’s office to over 1500 students. As a result, Michigamua was evicted from the Michigan Union, and the university distributed the Native American artifacts to different Native American tribes.

In 2007, Michigamua reformed in affiliation with the university, under a different name: Order of the Angell, in honor of a previous President of U-M, James Angell, who served in the late 1800s. 

In February 2020, the Native American Student Association spoke at the Michigan Union Board of Representatives meeting, requesting the renaming of the first floor south lounge in the Union from Angell. “What we are asking is for the same level of permanence and priority that has been placed on James Angell and the Order over the years,” Native American Student Association chair, Maitland Bowen, said. Renaming the lounge would show that the university recognized past offenses. In 2021, the students of the Order of the Angell disbanded because of its history, without pressure from the university.

As of 2020, still nowhere on campus is dedicated solely to Native American students despite the historical land grant and other colleges—even MSU—having had spaces for years. What we do have is this plaque, shorter than our knees, and easily buried by the snow in the winter.

Brandon III, Ira, Matthew Lassiter, Mary Bridget Lee, Alec Ramsay-Smith. Ending the Business of Injustice: Anti-Sweatshop Activism at the University of Michigan, 1999-2007 (online exhibit). Accessed October 20, 2022.

Gooding, Lily. “Native American Student Association proposes renaming Union lounge.” Michigan Daily, February 11, 2020. 

Goodspeed, Rob. “Michigauma: An Investigative History.” Research paper, University of Michigan, 2004.

Maggard, Tiffany, Robert Gold. “Student coalition leaves Union after 37-day stay.” Michigan Daily, April 15, 2002.

American Indians at the University of Michigan. “History of AIUM.” Accessed October 20, 2022.