foraging

Foraging Ground

"This entire area [Sister Lakes and surrounds] was once covered by a glacial lake which geologists have named 'Lake Dowagiac'. The lake, about ten miles across, stretched north to what is now Grand Rapids, south to the vicinity of South Bend."

The name Dowagiac comes from "a Potawatami word, 'Ndowagayuk' which means 'Foraging Ground'…according to the late Michael Williams of Niles, who was for many years chairman of the Potawatomi Indians of Indiana and Michigan…"

"Here in this region the native Indians could find anything they wanted or needed, anytime, anywhere. Here in this area was plentiful game to be had in all seasons; here were luscious fruits and berries in variety; and here were life-sustaining vegetables, greens, and grains--any of which the natives could gather and use for food."

"And here were bushes, plants, grasses, barks, herbs, to concoct their remedies. In fine, when they needed anything for food, for medicine, or materials for their garments, it was to be had here in quantities and qualities. It was because of this over-all plentitude of all things here that the Potawatomi called this region, 'Ndowagayuk'. A fitting translation of the word could have been 'Foraging Ground''."

Quotes taken from A Dowagiac Collection by Berenice E. Vanderburg; Hardscrabble Books, Berrien Springs, MI.; 1982; pp.11, 24-25.

John Mix of Hartford, Michigan

Chief Simon Pokagon

Sister Lakes Map

Back to Area Info