Lansing College Dedicated Anishinaabek Sculpture
The sculpture, titled Niswi Ishkoden, was unveiled on campus to honor the Anishinaabek people.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Native American
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Lansing Community College held a dedication ceremony for a new sculpture honoring the Anishinaabek people. The piece was unveiled on Indigenous Peoples Day to celebrate local native history and cultural teachings.
Why it matters
The installation serves as a permanent recognition of the Three Fires Confederacy and the values held by local indigenous communities. By incorporating native language and traditional wisdom, the project provides a platform for indigenous voices on campus.
The sculpture, titled Niswi Ishkoden, features copper medallions, native language, and art depicting the Seven Grandfather Teachings. These teachings include love, respect, bravery, truth, honesty, humility, and wisdom.
The players
Bruce Mackley
He is the artist who designed the Niswi Ishkoden sculpture.
Lansing Community College
This educational institution is the site where the new sculpture was permanently installed.
Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
This sovereign tribal nation provided indigenous leadership input for the project design.
Bay Mills Community College
This tribal college contributed to the collaborative design process for the sculpture.
The details
Designed by Bruce Mackley, the sculpture honors the Three Fires Confederacy and incorporates input from indigenous leaders. The design process relied on direct contributions from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and Bay Mills Community College to ensure cultural accuracy.
Timeline
October 12, 2026: The dedication ceremony for the sculpture took place at Lansing Community College.
Culture Shift
This dedication reflects a broader national movement within higher education to prioritize indigenous representation through public art and permanent campus memorials. The project highlights a shift toward collaborative design efforts that directly involve tribal leaders in the creation of cultural landmarks.
Students and visitors can now visit the installation on campus to engage with the Seven Grandfather Teachings and native artwork. This addition provides a new educational resource for the community to learn about the history and values of the Anishinaabek people.
The takeaway
The sculpture provides a visible bridge to indigenous history for the entire campus community. Visitors are encouraged to observe the seven medallions to better understand the core values integrated into the installation.
Further reading
Learn more about the Native American culture and its preservation efforts.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wilx.
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