At Ezhibiigaadek Asin, History Is Written in Stone

In the woods of Greenleaf Township, a sandstone outcrop carries teachings in stone. The Michigan DNR calls this Michigan’s largest known collection of early Native American teachings carved in stone. It uses the Anishinabe name ezhibiigaadek asin, meaning “written on stone,” and says the place remains culturally significant to many Anishinabek.

The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe’s Ziibiwing Center gives the place a deeper frame. It describes the site as a historic ceremonial place of its ancestors, visited by its people for many generations. The Tribe’s account is a reminder that this is not simply an artifact that entered history when non-Native settlers recorded it. It is a sacred place with living teachings and ongoing stewardship.

The 240-acre historic state park is managed jointly by the Tribe and the Michigan DNR. A quarter-mile accessible trail leads from the parking area to the roofed viewing enclosure. A separate mile-long interpretive loop crosses a branch of the Little Cass River; that trail is uneven and can be muddy or flooded.

The viewing area opens seasonally for guided tours, and weather or other conditions can close it. A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry. Check the current DNR schedule before making the drive, then follow the guide’s lead once you arrive. This is a place to visit with patience and respect, not a roadside object to rush past.