"First People" Along the Straits
Native Americans, Explorers and Jesuit Priests
The Straits of Mackinac was and is a principle shipping lane for the passage of goods and materials.  In the early days, Native Americans utilized the lane for the fur trade routes.  Anishinabe, also known as First People lived within the Straits and thrived within this territory for over 500 years.  The first Natives were the Pottawatomie, the second were the Ottawa and later the Ojibwe.  

Father Marquette
The first explorer to the region was Jean Nicolet.  He paved the way for future travelers to the region included the first Jesuit Priest Missionaries.  They brought the word of God to the area and journeyed along the Great Lakes around the year of 1670.  The most celebrated of these priests was Father Jacques Marquette, who brought the Huron Indians to the safety of Mackinac Island.  When the island land was found to be unsuitable for growing crops, Father Marquette brought the Native Community to what is known as St. Ignace.  To this day, you can visit his grave site that is located at the Museum of Ojibwa Culture, located at 500 North State Street.  The Father Marquette Mission Park features a gravestone and the located of his 1671 mission.  A fountain and garden adorn the park and is a registered National Historic Landmark along with a Michigan Historical Site.

Fort Michilimackinac
The first European settlement to Mackinaw City was established in 1715 when the French constructed Fort Michilimackinac.  After the French and Indian War that lasted from 1754 to 1763, the British took possession of the fort.  French civilians were still allowed to remain within the confines of the fort and continued their fur trade with the Odawa and Ojibwe Tribes. 

Pontiac’s Rebellion and Colonial Michilimackinac Pageant
On June 2, 1763, the fort was captured by the Native Americans.  Known as Pontiac’s Rebellion, the Chippewa and Fox warriors took over the establishment during a surprise attack during a lacrosse game.  During this casual game, a scheme had been planned to take the fort over with a great number of Natives waiting on the outside of the fort walls.  The Native American women wore blankets to conceal the weapons that were used during the battled.  When the third ball went over the wall, some of the Native men were allowed to retrieve the item.  Because this had occurred two times previously, the British were not on their guard.  At this moment, many braves took over the fort and captured the British soldiers.

The Fort Michilimackinac Pageant is a historically unique event that is reenacted each year during the Memorial Weekend.  The pageant has a cast of over 400 members representing the French, British and Native Americans.  This is the longest running FREE historical event of its kind in the Nation.