Last summer, Dick and I planned a trip to the Lower Peninsula of Michigan to donate an Odowa Peace Pipe to a local museum where others could enjoy it. The framed pipe had been in our basement for nearly forty years, and it was time to return it to its home. The pipe was a gift to one of Dick’s relatives, Cliff Powers, who was the Postmaster in Cross Village, Michigan. Cliff also was a photographer and had made a photograph of a chief of the Odawa tribe, who then gave the peace pipe to Cliff in appreciation for making the photograph.
The Odawa tribe is also known as the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odowa Indians. The Odowa, which means traders, migrated from the East Coast to Southern Canada, Michigan, and Ohio where they settled in the 1700s and continue to live here now. 
The nearest historical society in the area is in Harbor Springs, and we started our search for a home for the pipe there. Beth Sylak is a curator at the Harbor Springs Historical Society, and she recognized the pipe immediately. 
She explained that this was both a spiritual and ceremonial pipe (as opposed to a decorative pipe) and was likely smoked by the chief. Beth collaborates with Eric Hemenway, the Director of Archives, Records and Repatriation for the Odowa Tribe, which has a nearby museum where historical tribal artifacts are displayed. Eric is a “pipe carrier,” Beth explained, meaning he is the person who smokes the pipe at ceremonies such as weddings and funerals, and who offers Tribal Blessings. She suggested we donate the pipe to Eric’s tribal museum. We agreed.
People: “Pipe Carriers” who give blessings of peace.
Places: Harbor Springs, Historical Society Museum http:www//HarborSpringsHistory.Org
Pies: Michigan Tart Cherry. Pies are not a typical food for Native Americans in this area, but, as we toured the museum, we noticed a picture of an apple pie. 
In the very descriptive Odowa language, the word for a pie is mishiiminibiitojiishkweginigan, which translates as “apples (or cherries!) filled in between.” We purchased a tart cherry pie at a farmers market and ate it as we drove on to the Upper Peninsula, at peace because the pipe now had been returned to its rightful home.
