Voice on the Water: 
Great Lakes Native America Now

 

Fall 2012, Joseph Bruchac, Abenaki author, visited NMU as a guest presenter during the Native American Heritage Month events.  In between his presentations, he had the opportunity to enjoy the many stories, poetry, and art found in the book, Voice on the Water:  Great Lakes Native America Now.     

                  
Joseph Bruchac had the opportunity to read Voice on the Water and to share his thoughts on the book with Grace Chaillier, editor.   

 

 

After a two-year long project, the anthology project had its book launch on November 30, 2011, on the NMU campus.  This 254-page book illuminates the contemporary American Indian experience in Michigan. Read the Book Publication Chronicle as written by Grace Chaillier. 

 

Books can be purchased at

the Center Store, 112 Whitman Hall; 

the NMU Bookstore; or

Snowbound Books, downtown Marquette. 

 

 

Article in Upper Peninsula's Second Wave.  
 

 

  Click on image to view back cover. 

Public Readings:  Two public readings were held to showcase the contributors work.  Participants enjoyed the spotlight as they read excerpts from the book.

On Wednesday, November 30, 2011, the first reading was held on the NMU campus in Marquette, Michigan.  Thirteen of the 88 contributors participated, along with over 100 guests in the audience and a live stream across the internet.  

See the NMU Program cover; inside pages; and back page

View photo highlights from Jamrich Hall.  

Watch the NMU recording of the public reading
 

On Friday, December 2, 2011, Grace, April, and Shirley traveled to Mt. Pleasant, Michigan to join eleven other contributors in a public reading at the Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture and Lifeways.  We are grateful to the Native American Programs at Central Michigan University for their assistance with the refreshments. 

See the Ziibiwing Program cover; inside pages; and back page. 

 

Voice on the Water Promotional Postcard
 

While the work of several NMU students was accepted for publication in the anthology, numerous Northern students also played integral roles in the publishing process of Voice on the Water.  From the early stages of organizing and preparing accepted manuscripts and artwork, through post-publication marketing, these students did: 

    copy editing, proofreading, and fact checking; compiled a glossary of terms;
    researched and created a map of Michigan Indian tribes; drew professional-quality
    artwork used as chapter dividers and text enhancements; designed the book's cover;
    presented their work to a committee; learned about the electronic layout and press
    printing process; researched and compiled marketing mailing lists; created a wide
    array of marketing materials including postcards, bookmarks, rack cards, multimedia
    advertisements and posters; as well as helped coordinate and present book launch
    and reading events. 

This hands-on experience provided them with not only excellent resume building skills and preparation for future careers in many fields but also demonstrated how large projects are handled in a collaborative manner.  
 

Contact:     

Grace Chaillier - Project Editor, grachail@nmu.edu

Rebecca Tavernini - Production Editor, retavern@nmu.edu   

April Lindala - Project Director, alindala@nmu.edu

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