Historian to present May 21 talk on book about 'Burt Lake Burnout'
GAYLORD — At 6 p.m. on May 21 at the Otsego County Library, 700 S. Otsego Ave., tribal historian Deborah Richmond will present a discussion on Richard A. Wiles' book, “A Cloud Over the Land: The Tragic Story of the Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians."
On Oct. 15, 1900, Cheboygan County Sheriff Fred Ming and others burned to the ground every home in an area near Burt Lake known as Indian Village. The "Burt Lake Burnout" was a forced relocation of the Burt Lake Band. The sheriff and his deputies burned down the Burt Lake Band’s village at the behest of a local land developer who claimed to have purchased the village land parcels for back taxes.
Over the past 10 years, Wiles has thoroughly researched and uncovered the details of this tragic event and its long-lasting repercussions for the original people of this area of Northern Michigan. He is a former high school American history and college research instructor. He is also an honorary member of the Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.
In her role as tribal historian, Richmond sheds light on the poignant narrative of the Burt Lake Band, notably delving into the tragic events of the Burnout of 1900. What sets her presentations apart is her unique perspective, presenting the story from the viewpoint of the Burt Lake Band itself — an approach that has never been undertaken within the tribe’s historical discourse.
For more information about this program and other upcoming library events, visit the library website or contact Lori Rinaldi at (989) 732-5841 or through her email.
— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Historian to present May 21 talk on book about 'Burt Lake Burnout'
