The Circle of Trees: a Component of the Greensky Hill Methodist Mission Church Landscape

Summary

In 2016 the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians’ (LTBB) THPO initiated archaeological investigations at the circle of trees, a traditional cultural property north of the Greensky Hill Methodist Mission Church near Charlevoix, Michigan. The research is part of a larger study of the surrounding cultural landscape including the church and 19th century Odawa farmsteads. Peter Greensky, the Chippewa Methodist minister who along with his Anishinabe followers founded the mission, is recorded as having constructed his home within the circle of trees in the 1830’s. Archaeological investigations brought together members of the community to conduct excavations, including youth of the LTBB and non-Native and Native archaeologists. Document research, including deeds, dendrochronology, and oral history collection from church attendees augment the investigations. The investigators’ hypothesis centers on testing the question of whether Greensky Hill Church Indians worshiped in a distinctly Odawa way that may have incorporated Christian and Odawa beliefs.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Native American Cultural Landscapes and Community Collaborations   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2018

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 961