Leelanau Historical Society explores early Native American schools

From staff reports

On Feb. 23, at 1:30 p.m. the Omena Historical Society and Leelanau Historical Society Museum will host Mark Smith for a discussion of the Grove Hill School—one of the first residential schools for Native Americans in the country. The event takes place at the Leelanau Historical Society’s Munnecke Room at 203 E. Cedar St. in Leland.

Smith will explore the efforts of Reverend Peter Dougherty in his establishment of the school in 1853 in Omena. Find out how this residential school was more enlightened and attuned to the advancement of the local Anishinaabe people than the oppressive government-run schools which would follow. Admission is free. A recording of the program will be made available after the event.