A Home in Hard Times

Middle Village, circa 1894-1910. Photo courtesy of University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library

Surviving Hardship

The Great Depression hit the Odawa of Waganakising particularly hard. The Odawa community was already dealing with economic disparities in their homelands, often working for lower wages and being left out of jobs completely. Odawa men fought in World War I and some did not return. Indian Boarding schools at Mt. Pleasant and Harbor Springs were in full operation. Hundreds of Odawa students attended these schools during the early 20th century.

Despite these hardships, the Odawa stayed in their homelands and continued to practice their traditions. Odawa art was revitalized under the Works Progress Administration’s program, The Michigan Indian Handicraft Project. Despite Odawa families often not having enough to feed themselves, Ghost Suppers were still held every fall. The numerous Hiawatha plays and subsequent pageants offered some Odawa extra income, while demonstrating to the world that they were not “the vanishing race,” a prevalent stereotype applied to all native people at the time. In contrast, Emmet County had the highest number of native people in the state in the early 1900s.

Northern Michigan Ottawa Association

Throughout the 20th century, the Odawa maintained their sovereignty and exercised in their own government to advance their rights. For decades, the Northern Michigan Ottawa Association (NMOA) was the leading governmental body for the Odawa. Founded in 1948 by Robert and Wauenta Dominic to pursue compensation under the Indian Claims Commission, the MNOA went far beyond that. It helped to advocate for fishing rights, creating extensive tribal rolls, fighting for equality in education and promoting Odawa heritage. The annual NMOA meeting was held in Petoskey, drawing hundreds of Odawa each year. Although the NMOA phased out of existence by the 1980s, its decades-long efforts were essential to the tribal reaffirmation in 1994 and are still felt to this day.

NMOA Annual Meeting, circa 1969. Photo courtesy of LTBB Archives

Solomon Francis

Solomon Francis was a life long resident of Middle Village. His parents were Joe Francis Okenotego and Sara Agawisso. Solomon was well known for his skill as a craftsman and knowledge of the Odawa history and culture. In addition, he was dedicated to maintaining the cemetery St. Ignatius Church for many decades. Many knew and respected Solomon, native and non-native alike. His support and knowledge helped the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians achieve federal reaffirmation of their status as a federally recognized Indian tribe in 1994. Solomon walked on in 1989 and he is buried with his family at St. Ignatius.

Solomon Francis with his niece Grace Alker and his Daughter, Rose Stoll, at the grave of his father Joeseph at St. Ignatius Church, 1981. Photo courtesy of Petoskey News Review

1920
Census shows Emmet County has highest Native population in the state

1932
Lamkin Road certified by Emmet County Road Commission

1930s
The Great Depression bring Odawa back to Middle Village then disperse to find work

1934
Good Hart General Store opens on the bluff on M-119

1938-1942
The Michigan Indian Handicraft Project is created under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and its headquarters located in Cross Village

1940
Electricity comes to Middle Village

1941-1945
Large numbers of Odawa serve in World War II and, while many return home, those lives lost in service is noticeable in the community

1948
The Northern Michigan Ottawa Association (NMOA) is established by Robert and Waunetta Dominic and served as the leading governmental body for the Odawa for decades

1969
Rose King, last resident of Middle Village, dies

1976
St. Ignatius Church and Cemetery listed on National Registry of Historic Places

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