Kchi Wiikwedong Grand Traverse Bay/Kchi Wiikwedong

The Kchi Wiikwedong Anishinaabek and their ancestors have lived around this bay (wiikwedong) and fished in its waters since the glaciers receded more than 10,000 years ago. For centuries the bay was the primary route used to transport people and goods to and from its shores, first by canoe (jiimaan), and later by sailing and steam ships. Its English name comes from voyageurs, French traders who traveled along Lake Michigan’s shores and described “la grande traverse” (the long crossing) across the bay’s mouth. Starting in 1847 Grand Traverse Bay was central to the growth of Traverse City around lumber mills and docks, and later to agricultural and manufacturing indus-tries. Throughout these changes and the passage of time, the bay has continued to sustain the ecosystem of this region. Kchi Wiikwedong Mompii Kchi Wiikwedong Anishinaabek miiniwaa zhaazhigo-gaamaajaajik gii-daawag mompii gaataaying wiikwedong miiniwaa gii-giigoonkewak zhinda nbiishing minik eko ngizad maaba kchi-mkom megwaaj mdaaching-mdaaswaak gii-nsabiboongak. Niibina nsabiboon manpii wiikwedong pane bemaadizijig jii-nakazanaawan ji-aastoongaadek gegoo nikeying jiigbiik, ntam wiigwaas-jiimaaning, miidash miini-waa kchi-jiimaanan. Wi­nooziwin gii-bi-nji-baamgwad wemtigoozhii e-aashtoongejig gaa-zhinkaadek 'la grande traverse' - gbe'ing tkamiing-nikeyaa zhiwe wiikwedong enji-doonwang. Grand Traverse Wiik-wedong, maage Kchi-Wiikwedong gii-aawan gchii'ii wi pii 19th nsa-biiboonwin gii­maajiishkaamgok Traverse City nikeyaa mitigkeng aazhiganan miiniwaa giiyaabi go ni­aabiji nokiimgwad mompii nikeyaa