Vandals deface Sanilac Petroglyphs, a Michigan Sacred Site

CASS CITY, Mich. -- The Michigan History Center is offering a reward for information about the person or persons responsible for carving images on a rock that holds carvings made hundreds of years ago at the Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park.

“We are all deeply saddened by this disrespectful act,” said Sandra Clark, director of the Michigan History Center. “The petroglyphs were created by people who lived in what is now Michigan centuries ago. They are part of all of our history, and they have a deep spiritual meaning for many Anishinabek who live in the Great Lakes Region today.”

The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan partners with the state in interpreting the petroglyphs, which are called ezhibiigaadek asin (“written on stone”) in the Anishinabemowin language.

“The Sanilac Petroglyphs are one of the most important connections we have to our past within the region,” said Tribal Chief Frank Cloutier of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan. “The stories that are handed down from generation to generation thread our past to the present. We need to preserve diba jimooyung (‘telling our stories’).

If you have any information regarding the vandalism, please contact the DNR Report All Poaching (RAP) hotline at 800-292-7800 or through the online RAP reporting form.

A reward is being offered by the Michigan History Center for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the vandals.