Ojibwa Recreation Area

Many Keweenaw residents are familiar with the side of the recreation area that's under the pines, where the popular POWWOW or Maawanji-iding (906-353-6623) is held on the last full weekend in July. It attracts Native Americans from near and far. For outsiders, it's a wonderful window on a living culture.

The Powwow has Grand Entry processions, drumming and open dancing, plus crafts, recordings, books, and other merchandise and food booths. At some powwows elsewhere, dance competitions overwhelm the community aspect of the get-together, but not here. There's only one small dance competition, and several dance segments where all ages, male and female, dance together. Grand Entires and dances are held at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

At Powwows it is interesting to see the diversity among self-described Native Americans, and to see the bumper stickers in the parking lot. For instance, "Alcohol is not traditional," "I was Indian before Indian was cool," and "The BIA [Bureau of Indian Affairs] hates competition."

In the Powwow part of the Ojibwa Recreation Area is a little bay where motocross events are held. On the other side of the recreation area, the right-hand drive leads to the newish It's an open area right on the bay, with a very good view and a wonderful sense of being surrounded by water.

The drive to the campground entrance continues farther and ends at the SAND POINT LIGHTHOUSE. Built in 1878, it has been acquired by the tribe. It's a trim brick lighthouse with a square tower. Now, after many years, it can be seen from land without trespassing. It is not now open to the public.

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BARAGA
POINTS OF INTEREST

Baraga State Park. A great place for a pleasant break from one's trip along U.S. 41, at the beach with picnic area and bathhouse on Keweenaw Bay—or on an interesting 3/4 mile trail along old beach ridges and past a beaver pond, away from highway noi ... more

Ojibwa Recreation Area. See a diverse array of Native Americans in traditional garb at this powwow with drumming, dancing, crafts ... more

Baraga County Historical Society Museum. Picnic area with a grand bay view. Seasonal museum with interesting artifacts, photos, and books on area Ojibwa, Father Baraga, English/Ojibwa town founders stranded by an early winter storm. logging, railroads, Arvon slate, Finnish homesteads, James Oliver Curwood, Pettibone Cary-Lift. ... more

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