Water Week: Storytelling in the Garden, The New Anishnaabek Signs at Willow Pond

Event Summary

Date(s): Monday, August 24, 2026
Time: 5:00pm-6:30pm
Venue: Matthaei Botanical Gardens
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Event Description

In August 2026, a series of new signs were installed around Willow Pond at Matthaei Botanical Gardens to share the story of Miinomin (Wild Rice) and the Anishnaabek connections to the lands and waters of Michigan. Created through a collaboration among numerous departments, partners, and individuals, the project brought together a wide range of perspectives and expertise. Join Eric Hemenway, Humanities Manager at U-M’s School of Environment and Sustainability, and Katie Seguin, MBGNA Interpretation Specialist, as they discuss how the signs came to life. Program starts at 5:00 PM.

This event is not listed as a Family Activity, but we’ve included it for completion of water week and suggest it for teens and adults.

Water Week Activities

	Date/Time	Event
💙🆓	August 23 1:00pm-2:30pm	Water Week: The First Story of Water - The Anishnaabek Story at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓	August 24 5:00pm-6:30pm	Water Week: Storytelling in the Garden, The New Anishnaabek Signs at Willow Pond at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓	August 25 10:00am-11:30am	Water Week: Nature Play Pop-Up: Floating and Boating at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓	August 25 4:30pm-6:00pm	Water Week: Waterway Relatives with Dr. Selena Smith at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓	August 26 5:00pm-6:30pm	Water Week: The Line 5 Oil Pipeline Debate - Implications for Water, Indigenous, and States' Rights at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓	August 26 5:30pm-7:00pm	Water Week: Nature Play Pop-Up: Floating and Boating at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓	August 27 10:00am-8:00pm	Water Week: Great Lakes Pop-Up with CIGLR at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓	August 27 5:00pm-6:30pm	Water Week: Water Wander - Healthy Waterways at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓	August 28 5:00pm-6:30pm	Water Week: Kids, Fish, and Streams at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor Michigan
💙🆓	August 29 11:00am-12:00pm	Water Week: The Line 5 Oil Pipeline Debate - Implications for Water, Indigenous, and States' Rights at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor Michigan