Halloween is quickly approaching, and the tribe wants to make sure that a historical landmark is preserved.

The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan is looking for volunteers who are willing to camp out at the site of the former Mt. Pleasant Native American Boarding School to make sure that the building isn't infiltrated by trespassers during the month of October.

“The call for volunteers is a standard procedure we do every year around this time,” said Frank Cloutier, Public Relations Director for the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan. “Unfortunately, we are always left to face the threat of vandalism, trespass, and blatant disrespect for the memory of those who attended the boarding school as students and never returned home. These grounds are to be revered and memorialized - not left to the disrespectful curiosities of those looking for a cheap thrill around the Halloween season.”

The building was built and opened in 1892 to 17 students and eventually had to expand to accomodate more kids. It closed in 1934 with a less-than-stellar reputation. It was then used as the Michigan Home and Training School until 2009 to house adults with developmental disabilities.

In 2011, the state sold part of the acreage to the tribe for $1. They received the Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation of the site in 2016 and it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018.

“For those who wish to volunteer, they should be self-sufficient, plan on not being confrontational, and have a desire to preserve the grounds at the Mt. Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School as it should be, with reverence and compassion for the memory of those who never returned home."

If you want to volunteer, you can contact Tera Green at (989) 775-4750 or through email at TeGreen@sagchip.org.

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