Lake sturgeon are often represented in Native American art as a culturally significant creature. This shaker, made by artist Daniel LaBlance Bissell of the Fish Clan - Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, depicts the iconic fish. Once found in great abundance, lake sturgeon, the largest and oldest of the Great Lakes, have almost faded into obscurity due to overfishing, particularly for oil and caviar products. Now considered a threatened species in Michigan, they are the focus of rehabilitation efforts by scientists and also regional communities, such as Native American tribes living along Michigan's waterways. Lake sturgeon play a role in the creation and migration stories of Native Americans, ceremonial cycles, and the structure of some communities. People relied on the river and the fish for subsistence, and it is currently part of art, storytelling, song, and ceremony. For Native American tribes in the region, the important cultural connection to this sacred place and fish continues today.

Grand River, Grand Fish explores how the Great Lakes region’s largest and oldest fish, the Lake Sturgeon, once found in great abundance, is now a threatened species in our watersheds. The exhibit takes visitors through the connections to Native Americans, fishing history in the region and current science. Using artifacts from the GRPM Collections, along with the two live sturgeon, it will tie together the cultural, historical and scientific connections and explore rehabilitation efforts for this species in the Grand River and throughout the Great Lakes region.

Redesign of the Anishinabek: The People of this Place exhibit. Ideas for potential artifacts.