"Native Americans live, work and thrive across the state of Michigan, but racist narratives and stereotypes make us invisible in the eyes of mainstream media and public discourse. There are more than 5 million Native American people in the United States that make up 574 federally-recognized and 63 state-recognized tribes. Michigan is home to 12 federally-recognized and 4 state-recognized tribes. With almost 100,000 Native Americans living in Michigan, our state is one of 10 with the highest Indigenous populations." Meghanlata Gupta, Indigenizing the News

Many Detroiters celebrate the "founding" of Detroit on July 24, 1701, but Indigenous Peoples lived in this region for thousands of years before French explorer Antoine Cadillac landed on the Detroit River bank. On this hour-long virtual tour, we’ll learn about the history of Indigenous Peoples in the region as well as how the Indigenous community is having a positive impact on Detroit today.

A portion of the proceeds raised through donations will go to our tour partners - Detroit Indigenous Peoples' Alliance. To learn more and support their work, visit https://www.facebook.com/313DIPA

If you're interested in supporting our non-profit further, learn more about our annual membership program at detroitexperiencefactory.org/annual-membership or visit our tax-deducible donation site: https://www.classy.org/give/150786/#!/donation/checkout

To join us on more virtual experiences, visit detroitexperiencefactory.org/public-tours

Interested in a custom tour for your group on this topic or any other topic related to Detroit and our region? Reach out detroitexperiencefactory.org/tour-inquiry

View our FAQ to get the most out of your virtual experience: detroitexperiencefactory.org/virtual-faq

Recommendations: Have headphones or external speakers handy in case computer audio is inadequate. Ensure that your computer has a stable internet connection and use wired Ethernet connection if possible for the lowest chance of interruption. Change the video layout to active speaker view.

Photo from October 14th 2019 celebrating a resolution passed by City Council to recognize Detroit's indigenous name of the region - Waawiiyaatanong.

Ogichidakwe singers, also known as the Warrior Women singers, (from left) Teia McGahey, Chloe Brown and her mother Nickole Fox, Kateri Uwazurike and her mother Kaela Wabanimkee-Harris and Nancy Moorhead perform a Native American song during a media event at Spirit Plaza in Detroit.