The Michigan Maritime Museum is proud to continue its Whispers Across the Water lecture series with “Ancestral Waters: The Pokagon Band and Their Homelands” presented by Cecil Wilson on Wednesday, October 15 at 6:30 PM.
Since time immemorial, the Pokagon Band people have called the Great Lakes their home, with water serving as a sacred source that has shaped both their past and their future. In this engaging lecture, Wilson will share the history of his people, their enduring connection to the lands and waters of the region, and the ways they have carried their traditions forward to the present day.
Cecil Wilson is an enrolled citizen of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi and a proud member of the Turtle Clan. His work focuses on preserving cultural landscapes, histories, and living stories of his people. From government-to-government dialogue to historical research and oral storytelling, Wilson’s efforts highlight the resilience, sovereignty, and ongoing cultural revitalization of the Pokagon Band. His message affirms that the Pokagon people are not only a part of history, but a thriving, present, and enduring Nation with a future deeply connected to land and water.
This program is part of Whispers Across the Water, the Museum’s year-long lecture series highlighting and celebrating the invaluable contributions of minority communities to Great Lakes maritime history and heritage.
Tickets are free for Museum members and $10 for non-members. Doors open at 6:00 PM, and tickets may be purchased online, by phone, or in person.
The Whispers Across the Water series is made possible thanks to the generous support of the
Nielsen-Wells Grant Fund and Mike & Susan Smith.
Event Details
What: Ancestral Waters: The Pokagon Band and Their Homelands
When: Wednesday, October 15 at 6:30 PM.
Where: Michigan Maritime Museum, 260 Dyckman Avenue, South Haven, MI
Tickets: Free for Museum members | $10 for non-members
