Water Week: The First Story of Water - The Anishnaabek Story

Event Summary

Date(s): Sunday, August 23, 2026
Time: 1:00pm-2:30pm
Venue: Matthaei Botanical Gardens
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Event Description

This talk will look at the deep and multi-layered story of the Anishnaabek and their relation to the Gitchi-Gumek (Great Lakes). This journey goes through thousands of years, through conflict, ceremony and commitment to being home. Eric Hemenway, Humanities Manager at U-M’s School of Environment and Sustainability, leads the learning of how water defines the Anishnaabek and has impacted every major decision for the numerous communities in Michigan.

The event is listed as a Family Activity, but doesn’t specify an age range.

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

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Event Details