Calendar of Events

Indigenous People’s Day

Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrates and honors Native American peoples and commemorates their histories and cultures. Join us as we have Mary Jane Bryant and Jake Skaggs discuss their culture and histories.

Mary Jane Bryant

• A descendant of the Ojibwe and Odawa Nations, Mary is a retired registered nurse and received her degree from Grand Rapids Community College as their first ever Native American graduate. She is a Native American elder who is active in the Elder’s program in Grand Rapids, MI. Mary grew up in two worlds: gaining much knowledge and wisdom from her time spent in the Indian world as well as the White world. She is a mother of five children, grandmother to 17 grandkids, and great-grandmother to 10 great-grandkids.

Jake Skaggs

• Jake is a descendant of the Ojibwe and Odawa Nations. He is a graduate of the University of Toledo, receiving his degree to teach high school English, and currently serves as a Dean of Students for Wyoming Junior High School in Wyoming, MI. Jake is an educator, basketball coach, and writer who just finished his first book in the Summer of 2022.