This mural began with a few friends wanting to see representation of Anishinaabe heritage and culture within our town of Marquette, Mi. Anishinaabe teachings are portrayed in the mural inspiring further education and preservation of the sacred stories and native tongue.

I want to also dedicate this mural to Glen Bressette Snr. His gentle soul guided me thru making this piece and I will always remember his kindness and friendship.

Glen David Bressette, Sr. Born October 6, 1947 and walked on October 21, 2020

I prepared the mural off site on wooden panels and then later installed it on a building offered by The Peter White Public Library. Glen Jr. and I were able to start a GoFundMe and collect all the funds needed from public donations. It took me about a month to paint the entire scene.

“Water is alive. It needs to be respected. We must recognize her as a living entity.”

The mural also depicts water walker and protector Grandma Josephine Mandamin. In the painting her hands dip into Lake Superior purifying the water with her sacred copper vessel beside her. I want to continue in her footsteps raising awareness about the importance of protecting the Great Lakes from pollution.

Photo by Regina Mandamin

ᐊᐸᑴᔥᑾᔾ apakweshkway cattail

ᒥᔅᑾᑌᓯ miskwadesi painted turtle

ᐐᒀᓵᑎᒃ wiigwaasaatig birch tree ᒥᔅᒀᐱᒃ ᔥᑲᑭᒥᑴ shkakimikwe mother earth

ᓂᐱ ᒪᓂᑑ nibi manidoo water spirit/mystery

•Syllabics Provided by Jud Sojourn