The Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum, Bay County Library System, Grace A. Dow Memorial Library, and the Public Libraries of Saginaw are partnering together to provide public programming for the Great Lakes Bay READ, a regional initiative of the Michigan Humanities’ Great Michigan Read.
Great Lakes Bay READ is a collaboration with Michigan Humanities’ Great Michigan Read, focusing on the Great Lakes Bay region — Bay, Midland, and Saginaw Counties. Michigan Humanities’ Great Michigan Read creates a statewide discussion around a Michigan themed book. Through partnerships with libraries, schools, book clubs, and a wide range of other non-profit organizations, the Great Michigan Read facilitates statewide reading and programs to bridge communities around a common conversation.
The chosen book for the 2023-24 Great Michigan Read is the New York Times best seller, “Firekeeper’s Daughter” by Michigan native Angeline Boulley. The fictional story revolves around a powerful female lead with a strong connection to her Native American culture, and a community full of drama, intrigue, and secrets.
“Boulley’s book, ‘Firekeeper’s Daughter is a compelling read and recommended for ages 11th grade and up,” states Megan McAdow, Director of the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum. “Boulley does a phenomenal job intertwining themes of justice, community, and healing. It was important to for us to collaborate in the conversation and to integrate these themes into our 2023-24 programming.”
Each partnering institution will host public events and book clubs that tie into the themes of “Firekeeper’s Daughter” and culminate in the author’s visit to the area on April 13, 2024. Upcoming program highlights include:
- Wednesday, November 1, from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum will be hosting a free special Kick-Off Celebration for Native American Heritage Month. Attendees can view the current exhibition, “Vitality and Continuity: Art in the Experiences of Anishinaabe, Inuit, and Pueblo Women” and enjoy a selection of Native American inspired fare. Following the Museum reception, two special presentations will take place from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Rhea Miller Recital Hall, also on the campus of SVSU, including a presentation by the Ziibiwing Center of Anishinaabe Culture & Lifeways and a special screening of the film: “Warrior Lawyers” with director Audrey Geyer. Advance registration for the Kick-Off Celebration is recommended but not required. Attendees can RSVP by visiting the event website at: https://marshallfredericks.org/calendar/. There will be a special giveaway to the first 100 people to enter the presentation hall at 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday, November 4, the Hoyt Public Library will be hosting the Ziibiwing Center as they provide a free presentation titled “American Indian Boarding Schools Era.” The presentation will discuss the difficult time of family separation, forced assimilation and the continuing effects these policies had on the people living during this era, as well as the impact on future generations. This program is not recommended for those ages 12 and under. For more information, please contact Yolanda Rico at reference@saginawlibrary.org or call 989-755-0904 ext. 2.
- Programming continues Saturday, November 11 at the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum with a Native American Healing Arts and Justice Circle led by the Native American Justice Coalition. The healing circle, a special song and drum presentation from Huron Wyandot tribal member Chantal Gros-Louis, and art activities provided by the Ziibiwing Center of Anishinaabe Culture & Lifeways will all take place from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. and are all free to the public. Those interested in learning more about the event can reach out to the Museum’s education curator, Andrea Ondish, at ondish@svsu.edu.
Upcoming Book Club & Discussion dates include:
- Stranger Than Fiction Book Club: “Braiding Sweetgrass”
Monday, November 13, 7:00pm
Barnes & Noble Saginaw
- “Firekeeper’s Daughter” Book Discussion
Thursday, November 16, 2:00pm
Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum
- Series Starters Book Club: “Firekeeper’s Daughter”
Saturday, December 9, 10:30am
Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum
- I <3 YA Book Club: “Firekeeper’s Daughter”
Monday, December 18, 6:00pm
Lolobee’s Lounge, Bay City
Great Lakes Bay READ programming will rollover into the new year. On Thursday, January 11, the Butman-Fish Library in Saginaw will kick-off the 2024 program schedule with “CSI Saginaw with the Bridgeport Crime Lab.” This program will include a discussion on the Michigan State Police’s approach to a crime scene investigation. Lab Director Keith LaMont at the Bridgeport Crime Lab will be sharing his expertise on body fluid identification, controlled substances, crime scene response, firearms & toolmarks, latent prints, and trace evidence. Registration is not required but encouraged. To register, please contact Stephanie Reinhardt at sreinhardt@saginawlibrary.org or 989-799-9160.
For a full schedule of events and further details on the 2023-24 Great Lakes Bay READ programming, please visit us at: https://marshallfredericks.org.
