* indicates students fulfilling their senior thesis requirements
Author’s Note
Special Thanks
Sean Bogunia
Neil Scharnick
Dr. Anthony Barnhart
Professor Joshua McGowan
It’s been a serious joy to work on this play with the great faculty and students of Carthage College. I first came to know Maurice Maeterlinck’s play The Blue Bird through its 1911 translation, and so right away I was thinking about translation and interpretation and how if a play is lucky and has a long life, it will probably go in and out of style, being examined and understood throughout the years by way of many different philosophies and trends in thinking. I worked from a theory that each generation will see what it needs in a piece of art. And so I tried to think of what my generation might need from The Blue Bird, and what my daughter’s generation (which is roughly the generation of the students performing the play) might need. What I hope resulted is a play which is partly in conversation with itself, backwards and forwards through time, maybe even a little at war with itself, and a play which I hope will inspire other conversations, between people and generations, and other plays, and maybe even with another version of this same play, somewhere down the road. I like the idea that the world is one gigantic poem and while we are all trying to read it, we are also all working away and adding our own few lines to it.
Will Eno
Brooklyn, NY Sept 24, 2025
Dramaturg’s Note
It’s possible Belgian writer Maurice Maeterlinck is the most influential modern playwright you’ve never heard of. His symbolist experiments reimagined what the theatre could do, and his theory of “static theatre” would inspire Samuel Beckett and other modern innovators. His early works caught the attention of the Symbolists in Paris, forever connecting him with that movement. But Maeterlinck had something more in mind: he had deeply held but unorthodox beliefs concerning death, time, and the soul that he felt the stage could serve to communicate. In his early plays, this looked like Symbolism—a stage filled with poetic and enigmatic images conveying a hazy sense of confusion, death, and doom. But his later plays would take several other forms to advance the same idea, from supernatural thriller to fairy tale. It would be his celebrated fairy story, L’Oiseau Bleu, that would capture and hold the world’s imagination, offering up the blue bird as a symbol of happiness and its pursuit.
Maeterlinck has a soulmate in Will Eno—and soulmates are something he took very seriously. Eno’s ability to blend stage magic with philosophy and humor with existential dread makes him, I think, a worthy successor to Maeterlinck and the right person to reimagine his work for today.
Dr. Neil Kristian Scharnick Associate Professor of Theatre
cast biographies
Cast Biographies
Addison Wytonick (Maggie) is a Sophomore Musical Theatre and Criminal Justice double major. This is Addison’s second Carthage mainstage production with her first being HEAD OVER HEELS (Mopsa). Other recent credits include MAMMA MIA (Rosie) and MEAN GIRLS (Janis) at Horlick High school. As well as THE LITTLE MERMAID (Flounder) at the Racine Theatre Guild. Addison would like to thank her friends and family (especially her grandparents) for their love and support throughout this journey! IG: _addisonanne_
Michael Ortin (Timothy) is ecstatic to bring the role of Timothy to life for the first time in Carthage's production of The Blue Bird. Michael is a Sophomore musical theatre major and is brimming with delight to perform for you all. When he’s not on the stage, Michael enjoys hanging out with friends, doing improv with the Merely Players, being a part of Lambda Kappa and Alpha Psi Omega, and nerding out and playing video games. You may have seen him previously in Carthage’s production of Life is a Dream, in which he played Clotaldo. He was a Spotlight Operator for Carthage’s production of Head Over Heels. Michael would like to thank Martin McClendon, the entire production team, his fellow cast members, his family, and playwright Will Eno, who made this whole production possible. Now sit back, relax, and enjoy the show! IG: themichaelortin14
Paige “PJ” Hebbring (Mother/Grandmother/Janitor/Typesetter/Parental Love) is a Senior Theater Education major. She is excited to take part in her last Carthage College production, fulfilling her senior thesis, and to have been allowed to be a part of such a great team of artists now and over the years. Her most memorable Carthage College Theatre credits are THE GENDERLESS PLAY EXPERIMENT (You 4– The Performer), ON THE VERGE (Fanny), and TERMINAL EXHALE (Colleen Trevino). Other than acting, she wears many hats: co-president of the Merely Players Improv Comedy Group, Head House manager of the Carthage VPA Office, doing any backstage work she can find, fight choreography (HEATHERS, Rhode Theater, Kenosha), and teaching at First Stage Children’s Theater (MKE). She thanks her friends, family, boyfriend Payton, and bulldog Lucy for always supporting her and putting up with her busy schedule! She is extremely proud of everyone involved in THE BLUE BIRD and hopes you all find a little magic and enjoy the show. IG: itspjhebbring
Dom Luzwick (Father/Grandfather/Time/Parental Love) is a Sophomore musical theater major here at Carthage and is thrilled to be working in his first play here! Although this is his first play at Carthage, you may have seen him in one of the past musicals here including, CARRIE (Tommy Ross) NINE(Cardinal/Gondolier) XANADU (Danny) HEAD OVER HEELS (ensemble) Dom is involved in many ways here at Carthage including being an RA, serving as the Secretary for the cheer team, and as the Vice President for APO, Much love to his family and friends especially his mom who always pushes him to his fullest potential. Shoutout to Annelise <3 IG: Domluz_arts
Logan Gonzalez (Walter the Dog) is a Senior Theater Performance major. This is Logan’s second performance at Carthage and his first Mainstage play. He is excited to be a part of this production and to work with such an amazing cast and director. Logan has worked on previous Carthage shows such as Terminal Exhale and has done other shows at Wright College such as Ride The Cyclone, All New People, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Logan would like to thank his family and friends for their support. He would like to thank his mentors Tom Murdock, Kristen Williams, Patrick Ham, Jonathan Cohen and Sharon Arnowitz. He would also like to give thanks to his Mother and Girlfriend Emily Kross. Without them he wouldn't be where he is today. “All that is good and important in the world takes work. Let us Love one another and respect one another and Tell That Story. And Tell That Story. All that is good and important in the world takes work and all the rest is B.S.” Welcome to the Blue Bird and Enjoy the Show.
Anna Riess (The Cat) is a Sophomore Musical Theatre major. This is Anna’s Carthage Mainstage debut and she couldn’t be more excited to be a part of this show. Previously on run crew for LIFE IS A DREAM and Assistant stage manager for AWAY FROM THE MIRROR 25’. Other recent credits include SOMETHING ROTTEN (Portia) at Ye Old Opera House. She would like to thank her family for all their love and support as well as the cast and crew for making this show come to life! IG:@riess_anna
Reagan Weitzel (Ensemble/Light/Pig/Sickness 2) is a sophomore theater performance and psychology double major with a minor in photography. Reagan is so happy to be a part of this fantastic show. This is her second mainstage show at Carthage. Her first was LIFE CYCLE OF A STAR (Ensemble) She couldn’t be happier to be a part of this incredible department. She’d like to thank her best friends at home (Taryn, Mason, Luke, and more) for always picking up her phone calls, believing in her, and being the most supportive friends ever. She’d like to thank her college best friends (Brie, Russell, and Gabe) for being the best cheerleaders ever and being so supportive of her. Enjoy the show!
Triniti Redlin (Ensemble/Night/Translator/Evil Figure) is a Junior Theatre Performance Major and Costuming Minor. Recently, she was in Lakeland Players' Once Upon a Mattress in Elkhorn, Wisconsin - They would like to thank their family and friends for supporting them as they made their way up to the mainstage!
cast biographies
McKenna Dehn (Ensemble/Mrs Berlingot/Old Woman/Hat Check) is a Junior Theatre Performance and Sociology double major and a Women and Gender Studies minor. She acted in the studio show WHEREVER YOU’VE BEEN (Ensemble 3), directing scenes CRY IT OUT (Lina) and DRUNKIN CITY (Linda), and the 24hr musical production of FOOTLOOSE (Coach Dunbar). She was also the Assistant Director for TERMINAL EXHALE and Director for the 24hr play PETER PAN. She would like to thank the rest of the cast, the production team, and Martin for making this show so special. She would especially like to thank her family and friends for being her strongest supporters throughout the years. “Thank you guys for all of your help! Without you, I could not have completed it!”. Insta:@mckennajo12
Gabriella George (Ensemble/Raccoon/Albertine/Twin 2/Being Rich) is a sophomore majoring in communications with a double minor in musical theatre and film and new media. She was on the run crew for HEAD OVER HEELS and was on the costume crew for LIFE IS A DREAM. Other regional credits include YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (ensemble) with Hartford Players, JANE EYRE (Helen Burns) at Lake Country Playhouse, and ANNE OF GREEN GABLES (Diana) at Summer Stage of Delafield. Thank you for coming to see the show and supporting the arts!
Luchi Ruiz (Ensemble/Evil Figure/Prince Beauregard/Old Oak/Brother Yet To Come) is a Junior Theatre Performance major with a minor in Communications. This is his first Carthage College Mainstage Production! While this is first mainstage show, it is not the first show he has done. He has acted in studio shows like CRY IT OUT as Mitchell, and THE DRUNKEN CITY as Frank. As well as in 24-hour productions such as PETER PAN (Lost Boy Slightly), SINGING IN THE RAIN THE MUSICAL (ENSEMBLE), & FOOTLOOSE THE MUSICAL (Chuck Cranston), and at the same time was even a director for PETER PAN. He would like to thank his family & friends for supporting since he started theatre and always pushed him to do his best. And he would especially like to thank his teacher who got him into theatre in the first place, Kristen Singer. She inspired Luchi to get up and do Theatre as a Major, and now he has made it this far. “Thank you to all everyone who has supported me to make it this far, my family, my friends here at Carthage, friends outside of Carthage, and to the teacher who changed my future……Thank you.” Insta:@luch_theguch
Lydia Sabath (Ensemble/War/Birch/Knowing Nothing) is a Sophomore Theatre Performance and Public Relations double major with a Psychology minor. This is her first role in a Carthage College Production! But that doesn’t mean she’s unfamiliar with the space. In her Freshmen year, Lydia was on crew, and had a minor role as an EMT, in TERMINAL EXHALE last the spring. (as you can see she is a huge Martin fan) Also last spring she was on headset and crew for AWAY FROM THE MIRROR. Lydia would like to thank her Dad for introducing her to GREASE and her Mama for taking her to shows. She would also like to thank her Grandma Pat and Mimi for instilling the arts in her. She is so excited to share her talent and this story with all of you and she hopes you leave with a story to tell. IG: lydia.sabath
Miao Zhang (Ensemble/Rebecca/Pine/Silent Figure) is a third year graduate student in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy major. This is Miao’s first Carthage mainstage show. Miao was on the costume crew for XANADU, and the sound crew for NEXT TO NORMAL at the Rhode Center for the Arts. Other recent credits include FROM TROUBLE TO JOY: EXPLORING OPERA’S EMOTIONAL EXTREMES (Cherubino/Mallika/Suzuki), SPEAKEASY: THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE (Deb/Mira). They would like to thank their teachers and friends and everyone in THE BLUE BIRD team for their support. Enjoy the show!
Jasminda Hall (Ensemble/Adaptor/Old Sock/Sickness 1) is a junior General Theatre and psychology double major. This is her first year being a part of a production here at Carthage College aside from crewing in ON THE VERGE. She is very excited to be involved in the production process, and would like to thank everyone who is helping to work on this show on stage and off it. She would also like to thank her mom for being her biggest supporter and providing her a firm foundation that allowed her to explore her identity and find herself in theatre.
Arielle Allen (Ensemble/Bread/Gabriella) is a junior Musical Theatre and Music (Core Emphasis) major. She performed as Gwendolen in THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (2023) at CLHS, Jojo in a 24 hour production of NEWSIES (2023) at CLHS, Marnie in the directing scenes for DRUNKEN CITY(2023), Renata in NINE THE MUSICAL (2024), The Nanny in FROM TROUBLE TO JOY: EXPLORING OPERAS EMOTIONAL EXTREMES(2025) at Carthage College and has most recently performed in the Honors Recital at Carthage College in the spring of 2025. She is thrilled to be able to be a part of storytelling this wonderful tale. She would like to thank her family for always supporting her through everything, and all of her teachers that have inspired her to be herself and live boldly! IG: relsorel
Sarah Beavers (Ensemble/Shrub/Willow/Twin 1/The Happiness) is so excited to be in “The Blue Bird”. She has most recently starred in “Life is a Dream” in the ensemble. She also was the Assistant Stage Manager in the production of “Head over Heels” and she also was on run crew for the show “Xanadu”. Thank you to everyone who came out to support this show!
Neil Scharnick (Maurice Maeterlinck/Dramaturg) is an Associate Professor of Theatre, teaching play analysis, theatre survey courses, senior seminar, and experimental theatre. He also directs and helps coordinate the New Play Initiative. This is Dr. Scharnick's first time acting on the Wartburg stage since 1999! In addition to graduating from Carthage, he holds a Ph.D. from UW-Madison and an M.A. from Northwestern University. Carthage directing credits include NINE, TRANSLATIONS, ONE DAY IN THE SEASON OF RAIN, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, THE SERPENT, PROOF, DEAD MAN’S CELL PHONE, INTO THE WOODS, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, LIFE IS A DREAM, MEMENTO MORI, and ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD. This spring, Dr. Scharnick will be on sabbatical, traveling to Ireland with his wife Erin where he will teach and direct at West End House School of Arts, Killarney.
production team biographies
Will Eno (Playwright) - Will lives in Brooklyn and is the happy dad of eleven-year-old Albertine, who acted in a workshop of Will’s new play at the Gate Theatre in Dublin, this summer. Will is a Pulitzer Finalist in Drama and winner of the Obie, Lortel, and Drama Desk awards. He wrote the book for the massively successful Skittles Superbowl musical, which starred his frequent collaborator Michael C. Hall, who performed Thom Pain in a thrilling sold-out revival at Signature. Will teaches playwriting, most recently at Princeton University, and mentors students at Columbia and elsewhere. His play Gnit, an adaptation of Peer Gynt, had its Canadian Premiere at the Shaw Festival in 2025. Oscar-winning film director Frederick Wiseman will direct the French premiere of his play The Realistic Joneses in Paris in 2026. In addition to plays, Will also writes for television and film.
Martin McClendon (Director/Scenic Designer) Professor of Theatre studies is entering his 20th year of teaching at Carthage College. In addition to teaching, designing, and directing, he has worked with students and fellow faculty for a decade to create original verbatim plays. In 2024, Carthage Theatre was honored with a Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival Citizen Artist award recognizing ten years of Carthage verbatim projects. He has also received KC/ACTF Certificates of Merit for scenic design for the Carthage productions of MAN OF LA MANCHA, BOEING BOEING, ONE DAY IN THE SEASON OF RAIN, DEAD MAN’S CELL PHONE, and a collaborative certificate for video technology for THE BREATH OF STARS. Before coming to Carthage, Martin spent 10 years working as a professional actor, carpenter, and scene designer in Chicago and Los Angeles. He was nominated three times for Non-Equity Jeff Citation Awards while designing scenery for the Defiant Theatre Company, Chicago. In addition to designing scenery, video, and sound at Carthage, regional scene design credits include Milwaukee Chamber Theatre and First Stage Children’s Theatre (Milwaukee, WI), Actor’s Ensemble (Rockford, IL), and The Evidence Room and Odyssey Theatres (Los Angeles, CA). Onstage appearances in Chicago include MOJO and SKYLIGHT (Steppenwolf), DANNY BOUNCING (Victory Gardens) and THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN (Northlight). On-camera work includes several independent movies, episodes of ER and EARLY EDITION, and numerous commercials. He is a proud member of Actor’s Equity and SAG/AFTRA. Martin received his MFA in acting from the University of Illinois Champaign/ Urbana, and his BFA in acting from Rockford College. He would like to thank his beautiful wife Jennifer and his wonderful kids Arabella and Horatio for their support and inspiration.
Colin Campbell (Production Stage Manager) is a Senior double major in Musical Theatre and Stage Management. He is unbelievably excited to be in his second Stage Management role while fulfilling his Senior Thesis! This is a brand new thing in his life, and he is overly joyous to have the opportunity to learn another aspect of theatre so that he can be a well-rounded theatre artist. Carthage Credits Include: LIFE IS A DREAM (Production Stage Manager) NINE (Assistant Stage Manager) CARRIE (Freddy) XANADU (Thalia/Sonny Malone u/s) and HEAD OVER HEELS (Dance Ensemble/Musidorus u/s & Pytho u/s). Thank you to his girlfriend Aubree, his family and his friends for the constant support and encouragement while he finds his true self. IG: @colin.p.campbell
Brayden Follett (Assistant Stage Manager) is a Junior Musical Theatre major. He is very excited and honored to have his Stage Management debut with THE BLUE BIRD. He has had such a wonderful time exploring a new work with an amazing cast, and even more fantastic crew. He hopes you enjoy the experience, and venture to ask questions, he probably has answers. Recent productions include HEAD OVER HEELS (Musidorus), RENT (Mark Cohen), THE MUSIC MAN (Harold Hill), & YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN (Schroeder). He would like to thank his wonderful girlfriend, Anna, for all her endless support, and his friends & family for their willingness to see whatever wacky show he is involved in. Enjoy the show! IG: braydendfollett, therealbraydenfollett
Kim Instenes (Costume Designer and Assistant Professor of Theatre). Kim holds an MFA in Costume Design and Technology from Ohio University and a BA in Theatre from UW-Whitewater. Her faculty credits include UW Parkside, UW Whitewater, UW Milwaukee, and Lawrence University. In addition to teaching at these schools, she has designed costumes and makeup for a number of productions, including IMAGINARY INVALID, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, TROJAN WAR, SWEENEY TODD, and TRANSLATIONS. Kim continues to work as a freelance costume and make-up designer in the Milwaukee-Chicago area. Professional design credits include First Stage Milwaukee, Milwaukee Shakespeare, the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Renaissance Theatreworks, Third Avenue PlayWorks, Forward Theater, Utah Shakespearean Festival, and the Racine Theatre Guild. Kim is excited to be a part of the Theatre Department here at Carthage, as it strengthens and strives to create theatre artists of the highest quality. She enjoys the thrill of watching a student understand what a costume does for their character and watching that character come to life as a result. She would also like to thank her family, husband Doug, and children, Lauren and Sarah, and Dalen, Haley, and Cayson, for their continued support of her creative endeavors.
production team biographies
Grace Kirk-Lazar (Technical Director/Properties Manager) Grace Kirk is the Technical Director at Carthage College in Kenosha, WI. Grace holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Peck School of the Arts at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.
JESUS CHRIST SUPER STAR at Carthage College was Grace’s debut as a Technical Director. She has worked as a Shop Sub-Manager for shows such as TWELFTH NIGHT, THE RESISTABLE RISE OF ARTURO UI, FEMALE TRANSPORT, TROJAN WOMEN and A PIECE OF MY HEART. Grace was also the Sound Designer for TWELFTH NIGHT and A PIECE OF MY HEART. She has also been a prop artisan/ master for WITTENBERG, WINTER’S TALE and IN THE NEXT ROOM (or THE VIBRATOR PLAY). Grace has worked at multiple venues in the City of Milwaukee through the I.A.T.S.E. Stagehand Union in positions focused on set up and strike of large scale productions.
Qingchen Yao (Choreographer) is a graduate student of the Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy program at Carthage College, USA. She has over 10 years of teaching experience across all age groups and serves as a Teaching Team Manager and Mentor for Musical Theatre Teacher Training. Qingchen is honored to serve as Choreographer for The Blue Bird, bringing her expertise in movement and staging to this production. She is also a key contributor to the Ministry of Education’s national project “Musical Drama Creation and Rehearsal Research” and co-authored the musical theatre section of the national secondary school art textbook. Her professional credits include:Light Board Operator – Jesus Christ Superstar. Choreographer – Competition piece for the Singapore International Performance Singing Contest. Director & Coach – Fifi’s Dream (student production), awarded First Prize in the National Education Competition Performance highlights include originating roles in the musicals Lychee is Red (premiered at Xinghai Concert Hall) and Green Forest (premiered at Guangzhou Opera House), among others. She feels extremely privileged to contribute to this project and to collaborate with the talented cast and creative team.
Jason Huang (Music Composer) is a Chinese composer Scoring for stage, film, and video games. Over his 20-year career, he has composed several musicals and over 40 video games scores. He has been nominated for the Hollywood Music in Media Awards eight times. In 2024-2025, he presented a concert of his "Infinity" works at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music and the Budapest Congress Center. His work bears a strong Chinese influence, but he is also active with orchestras across Europe.
Mario Raymond (Lighting Designer) is a lighting designer from Kansas City, USA829, is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Carthage College's faculty, staff, and students. His recent lighting expertise has been showcased in several productions this year, including Norma and Wanda at the Purple Rose Theatre, Rappaccini’s Daughter with Opera Columbus, Million Dollar Quartet with SSMT, and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street with AGPAF. Mario holds an MFA from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. For more information, visit his website www.mr-ld.com
Trevor Milne (Special Prop Engineer) is a senior engineering and musical theatre double major. His thesis was in assisting the Blue Bird through props and other effects that are used throughout the production. This is his first proper time working behind the scenes on a show and has enjoyed it to the fullest extent. He would like to thank the director Martin for offering a position in this show and Dr Nagel for allowing this to be his senior capstone project for engineering.
Dominika Myrda ( Special Prop Engineer) -
Joshua McGowan (Video Design Team Head) -
Anthony Barnhart (Illusion Technician) is an Associate Professor of Psychological Science, but worked as a professional magician in a past life. As a cognitive scientist, he borrows hypotheses and techniques from magic to study attention and perception in the laboratory, and has authored both empirical and theoretical works on the interface of science and magic. A leader in this burgeoning field, he was a founding member of the Science of Magic Association and frequently appears in national and international media. This is his second collaboration with the Carthage Theatre. He also served as illusion consultant for CARRIE THE MUSICAL, which received a KC/ ACTF Certificate of Merit for excellence in illusions and special effects.
Daniel Michalec (Sound Designer) is a Junior Theatre Technical-Direction Major with a Minor in Film and New Media. This is his first time composing music for a play and is so excited to share his makings. This is his 8th production here at Carthage with GENDERLESS PLAY EXPERIMENT being his first and TERMINAL EXHALE being the most recent he was first involved in. Shout out to his supportive parents and he hopes you enjoy the show
The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, part of the Rubenstein Arts Access Program, is generously funded by David M. Rubenstein.
Special thanks to The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust for supporting the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.
Additional support is provided by The Honorable Stuart Bernstein and Wilma E. Bernstein; and the Dr. Gerald and Paula McNichols Foundation.
Kennedy Center education and related artistic programming is made possible through the generosity of the National Committee for the Performing Arts.
This production is entered in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF). The aims of this national theater education program are to identify and promote quality in college-level theater production. To this end, each production entered is eligible for a response by a regional KCACTF representative, and selected students and faculty are invited to participate in KCACTF programs involving scholarships, internships, grants and awards for actors, directors, dramaturgs, playwrights, designers, stage managers and critics at both the regional and national levels.
Productions entered on the Participating level are eligible for invitation to the KCACTF regional festival and may also be considered for national awards recognizing outstanding achievement in production, design, direction and performance.
Last year more than 1,500 productions were entered in the KCACTF involving more than 200,000 students nationwide. By entering this production, our theater department is sharing in the KCACTF goals to recognize, reward, and celebrate the exemplary work produced in college and university theaters across the nation.
Student Recital: Chase Juster
Saturday, October 25• 1 p.m.
Recital Hall
Student Recital: John Cargille
Sunday, October 26 • 1 p.m.
Recital Hall
Lakeside Band Festival
Saturday, November 1 • 7 p.m.
A.F. Siebert Chapel
Student Recital: Annaliese Ruhs
Saturday, November 1 • 1 p.m.
Recital Hall
Student Recital: Madison Edge
Saturday, November 1 • 4 p.m.
Recital Hall
Arts at Carthage acknowledges that the land on which our building stands is part of the traditional Potawatomi, Sioux, Peoria, Kickapoo, and Miami peoples past, present, and future. These homelands reside along the southwest shores of Michigami, North America’s largest system of freshwater lakes. We honor with gratitude the land itself, and the people who have stewarded it throughout the generations. Many Indigenous peoples thrive in this place—alive and strong, and this calls us to commit to continuing to learn how to be better stewards of the land we inhabit as well.
