Kalamazoo to Honor Ancient Native American Mound in Bronson Park with Native Plants, Commemorative Stones as Restoration Project Begins

Sacred Land Gets Sacred Treatment as Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band Leads Restoration Effort

*KALAMAZOO, MI* — A project to honor and preserve a thousand-year-old Native American mound in downtown Kalamazoo's Bronson Park has officially launched, marking a significant step toward recognizing and protecting sacred Indigenous sites that have stood the test of time.

Restoration work began this week on the ancient mound, which has long been overlooked and often walked upon by the public despite its historical and cultural significance.

A Mound That Has Witnessed Centuries of History

The indigenous people of pre-colonial North America were known to build mounds that look like large hills for ceremonial purposes and other sacred functions. One of those mounds is in Bronson Park, where restoration efforts are now underway.

Though experts have not been able to attribute it to a specific people, ground-penetrating radar studies show the mound is similar to other earthen structures around Southwest Michigan that have been radiocarbon-dated to between 500 and 1200 AD.

The project represents a meaningful collaboration between multiple organizations, including the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi, also known as the Gun Lake Tribe, the City of Kalamazoo's Historic Preservation Coordinator and other city staff, City of Kalamazoo Parks and Recreation, and native-plant group Kalamazoo Area Wild Ones.

Preventing Further Damage Through Thoughtful Restoration

Currently, the mound in Bronson Park is sectioned off and covered with woodchips as restoration work begins. The approach reflects a deep understanding of the cultural sensitivity surrounding Indigenous burial and ceremonial sites.

Cean Burgeson, a spokesperson for the Gun Lake Tribe, which acts as the steward of the mound, said restoration work will focus on planting native, low-growth plants on top of the mound to prevent pedestrian traffic.

Additionally, signs around the mound will allow it to stick out more, making it more visible to the public while discouraging casual use of the sacred space.

Grandmother and Grandfather Stones to Honor Ancient Earth

In a beautiful nod to Indigenous traditions, "grandmother and grandfather stones" will be placed at the base of the mound. In some indigenous cultures, rocks are referred to as "grandfathers" or "grandmothers" because they are among the oldest things on earth.

The statement also said "grandmother and grandfather stones" will be placed at the base of the mound. In some indigenous cultures, rocks are referred to as "grandfathers" or "grandmothers" because they are among the oldest things on earth.

Multi-Organization Collaboration Marks New Approach to Preservation

The project is a collaboration between the Gun Lake Tribe's Tribal Historic Preservation Office and Environmental Department, the City of Kalamazoo's Historic Preservation Coordinator and other city staff, City of Kalamazoo Parks and Recreation, and native-plant group Kalamazoo Area Wild Ones.

This partnership represents a new and important approach to preserving Indigenous sites in the Kalamazoo area, bringing together tribal expertise, municipal resources, and local environmental knowledge.

Recognition of Indigenous Heritage

The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi has long advocated for the recognition and protection of Native sites throughout Southwest Michigan. This project in Bronson Park serves as a testament to their commitment to honoring the land's original stewards and their sacred connections to the earth.

The mound's age—dating back 500 to 1200 years—makes it a rare and precious artifact of pre-colonial Michigan, offering a tangible link to the people who built it and the ceremonies it hosted.

What This Means for Kalamazoo

As the restoration project moves forward, the mound will be given the respectful treatment it deserves, with native plants helping to preserve its surface and commemorative stones honoring its ancient origins.

The project is expected to breathe new life into this significant site, allowing future generations to understand and respect the deep history embedded in the landscape of downtown Kalamazoo.

The collaboration between the Gun Lake Tribe, the city of Kalamazoo, and Kalamazoo Area Wild Ones represents a meaningful step forward in recognizing and protecting Indigenous heritage sites that have been part of the region for over a millennium.