Native Americans

More than 2,000 years ago, the Hopewell Indians occupied the Grand River Valley that is now the site of Grand Rapids. Around 1700 A.D., the Ottawa Indians founded several villages along the Grand River and later lived in peace alongside European settlers. The city is proud of this history and gratified that Native Americans are working to reclaim a position of power and influence.

• As of 2009, more than 7,300 Native Americans were living in the West Michigan region.
• Native American Community Services offers culturally relevant programs and services to Native American people and their households in the Greater Grand Rapids area.
• The American Indian Center of Grand Rapids provides American Indians access and opportunities to effectively utilize community resources, as well as support, in dealing with crisis situations.
• Videos and oral histories by descendants of the Ottawa, Potawatomi and Chippewa people of West Michigan are part of the permanent exhibit, Anishinabek: The People of This Place, at the Van Andel Museum.
• The Homecoming of the Three Fires Traditional Pow Wow, sponsored by the Grand River Band of Ottawa Indians, is an annual event promoting cultural understanding.

Find out more about...

• Places of Worship
• Services
• Media
• Special Events

Other sources of information

• Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce Diversity Initiatives and Programs