The Gun Lake Tribe of Pottawatomi Indians; Michigan Department of Natural Resources; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; Kalamazoo River Chapter of Sturgeon for Tomorrow, and Grand Valley State University will have a ceremony from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29, to release sturgeon into the Kalamazoo River
The ceremony will take place at the New Richmond Bridge County Park, 5700 Old Allegan Road, Hamilton.
The eight-inch sturgeon set for release were reared in a streamside hatchery and will be hand-released back into the river.
Sturgeon, or Nmé in Pottawatomi, is culturally important to the Tribe as the fish represents an animal clan in traditional beliefs. Sturgeon clan people have spiritual knowledge offered as guidance to others and they live to an old age, just like lake sturgeon. The rehabilitation of lake sturgeon is a reflection of the Tribe’s present-day progression as a community and a tribal government.
A welcome will be provided by Tribal Council. Tribal drum group, Sons of the Three Fires, will perform. The event will also include hatchery tours and light dinner for up to 200 people in attendance. The public is encouraged to attend.
