Ancient Pathways Cultural Resource Group

 
 

Welcome to the pathways homepage.  We are an organization dedicated to the preservation, promotion and interpretation of  traditional Great Lakes Indian arts, lifeways, history and cultural heritage.  Please feel free to browse through our cultural services and our portfolio of museum and interpretive projects.  Though we are based in Western Michigan we have provided services for museums, educational facilities, tribal communities, and film production companies throughout the Eastern half of North America. 

preserving and promoting Traditional Neshnabe arts, Lifeways and Technologies

We are dedicated to providing the highest standards of excellence and innovation in cultural education and to increasing awareness, respect and understanding of  regional history, cultural traditions and our relationship to the natural world.

Quick links to some of our latest site features


  1. Bullet Watch a slideshow of building a domed Neshnabe bark wigwam

  2. Bullet Follow our process of replicating a Great Lakes Indian elm bark canoe

  3. Bullet Learn about reconstructing a dugout canoe with fire and stone tools

  4. Bullet Check out our new traveling exhibit “At the Southern Door”

  5. Bullet Rent a full sized bark house for an event or educational program

  6. Bullet Browse our selection of traditional arts workshops and services

  7. Bullet Discover the process of making a Potawatomi cattail mat covered wigwam

Black Ash Basketry Documentary to be Released April, 2009


The history and culture of West Michigan is uniquely woven in the story of the Black Ash Baskets which have for generations been made by local Potawatomi Indian families.  It is a story of traditions, heritage and arts, nature and sustainability.  And telling a story is the heart and soul of passing along the heritage and traditions of tribal communities.  At this moment in our contemporary history, the story has particular relevance as we anticipate the devastation the ash trees ..............read more

Blandford Students Take on Sugarbush Research


For Michigan’s Neshnabek (Ottawa, Chippewa and Potawatomi peoples), sugarbush was, for many countless generations, an important season in the traditional annual cycle of activities and movements.  The spring production of maple sugar signified both the beginning of a new year and provided a valuable, storable food resource that would help to sustain families through the upcoming summer, fall and winter.  With generations of experience Neshnabe families had mastered and perfected the techniques and process of efficiently...........read more

Pathways Latest News and Projects

GES Birch Bark Canoe Building - 2008


As a continuing segment of our watercraft project with the Goodwillie Environmental School, in the Spring of 2008 we took on building an Eastern Ojibway hunter style birch bark canoe with 2 classes fifth grade students.  Due to the cold temperatures outside, most of the early construction phases would have to take place inside the school and adjacent...........read more

Crooked Knife Making Workshop -  April. 4 & 11, 2008


April 4 & 11, 2008  the Gun Lake Band of Pottawatomi will be hosting a two part traditional crooked knife making workshop in conjunction with Ancient Pathways CRG.  The mokotagen, or crooked knife, is the most essential native woodworking tool traditionally used by Eastern Woodland peoples.  The crooked knife works much like a one-handed drawknife and is used for a variety of tasks including heavy wood removal, planing, sculpting, hollowing bowls and spoons and ............read more