Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture & Lifeways

The Ziibiwing Center is a distinctive treasure created to provide an enriched, diversified and culturally relevant educational experience. This promotes the society's belief that the culture, diversity and spirit of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan and other Great Lakes Anishinabek must be recognized, perpetuated, communicated and supported. Caring for the ZCS Collection is very time-intensive work

The permanent, educational, sacred, and ceremonial collections of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe (SCIT), managed by the Ziibiwing Center (ZC) are a bridge through time where the past meets the present. Centuries old artifacts come to life and educate the tribal community and others about the social and artistic expression of our ancestors. Contemporary objects revitalize the traditions and teachings of our elders. The Cultural Resource Management Department of the ZC provides maximum care of the collections for the next Seven Generations.

• Baskets
• Pottery
• Sacred and ceremonial objects
• Dolls
• Archival and multi-media materials
• Tools and weapons,
• Personal artifacts
• Beadwork
• Transportation equipment and textiles

A safe and secure environment is essential to the care of the collections. In conjunction with the processes of accessing new material, cataloging the history of an object, doing inventory and lending/borrowing, the ZC assumes responsibility for the physical care and storage of objects. Temperature, humidity, and pests are monitored daily to ensure the greatest longevity of the objects held within our care.

The success of the collection relies on the donations of SCIT members and the surrounding community. Original family documents relating to land & family history, historic and rare family photographs, and American Indian book collections are a few examples of the generous gifts that we have been given. Donating is fun, easy, and appreciated!

The ZC staff also meets quarterly with the Collections Committee. This committee meets to provide input for collections care and management. SCIT members are encouraged to participate - if interested please contact the Ziibiwing Center's Research Center at 989- 775-4748. The ZC would like to acknowledge past and present members of the Collections Committee with a "Chi Miigwech" ( Thank You) for their hard work and dedication.

Listed are various collections that will help the ZC meet its mission and continue to educate and enlighten the world about the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan. With the help of our contributors in 2007, the ZC Collections Committee acquired 1,483 artifacts that are beneficial to the cultural and spiritual well-being of the tribe.

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