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Everyone has a story. I find if you start a conversation with someone, it could be with the person standing in front of you in the grocery line, they will begin to open up and tell you their story. Sometimes it’s a tragic story that stays with you for days, leaving you quiet and reflective. Sometimes it’s a happy, hopeful story that inspires you and puts a spring in your step. Either way, stories are impactful; they have meaning and are meant to be told. Generations of culture and history would be lost if not for the age-old tradition of story telling.
Every state has its own story too. Our great state of Michigan has a rich and diverse history that begins years before the arrival of the first Europeans to our shores. Many indigenous tribes roamed Michigan’s countryside including the Chippewa, Menominee, Miami, Ottawa, and Potawatomi tribes, as well as the Wyandot, who lived in the area of present-day Detroit. The first permanent European settlement in Michigan, Sault Ste. Marie, was founded in 1668 by Jacques Marquette, a French missionary. Now any Michigan third grader could probably tell you most if not all of these facts. Learning about Michigan’s past is required curriculum in most schools today. I still remember many long hours quizzing my daughters the night before their big history exams.
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Of course, Michigan has come a long way from its humble beginnings. From the early days when grain, lumber and iron ore were our great commodities to the birth of the automotive industry, these historical facts weave a story of our past that we can learn from. Without the knowledge of where we have been, finding our path to a successful future can seem daunting indeed.
With the art of story telling in mind, we are honored to introduce to you Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick, Michigan’s own professional wildlife photographers and international children’s book authors. Carl and Jean have dedicated their lives to photographing Michigan’s “special places” and are most passionate about educating children on the importance of wildlife conservation. Their unwavering commitment to our state is a significant step toward a more promising future for Michigan and if we are lucky. A success story that will live on for generations to come.
Linda Hasley
Managing Editor |
