The following is a list of events for the 2017 One Story program, a collaboration between the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, Southwestern Michigan College, the Dowagiac District Library and the Dowagiac Area History Museum. This year’s events are focused around the book “Images of America: Dowagiac,” by Steve Arseneau and Ann Thompson.

Saturday, Feb. 18

Photographs of Dowagiac

1 p.m.

Dowagiac Area History Museum

The Dowagiac Area History Museum has access to a collection of more than 6,000 photographs documenting local history. Steve Arseneau, director of the Dowagiac Area History Museum and co-author of the book “Images of America: Dowagiac,” will present a program highlighting Dowagiac’s history from 1860 to World War II through photographs, including the oldest known photos of the city.

Thursday, March 9

Shishibé: History of Gaming

and Importance of Language

2:30 p.m. 

Southwestern Michigan College Theatre, Dale A. Lyons Building 

Prior to the European arrival, gaming was a social and communal event that helped in sharing the wealth of the Potawatomi nation. Jefferson Ballew, Potawatomi traditionalist, will share the history of Native American gaming, followed by a presentation by Rhonda Purcell, Potawatomi language specialist, who will host shishibé, a bingo-type game that utilizes the Potawatomi Language.

Saturday, March 18

Gwikwé ‘amen

11 a.m. 

Pokagon Band Community Center

One Story is teaming up with the Pokagon Band Early Childhood Education Program and Department of Natural Resources, along with area schools, to explore sense of place with local youth.

Wednesday, April 5

World Wide Webb Miller

6:30 p.m. 

Dowagiac Area History Museum

Dowagiac resident and Webb Miller enthusiast, Jim Bussler, will present information about Miller’s early days growing up in Dowagiac, his experiences as a reporter traveling the world, and his book, “I Found No Peace.” The program is offered as part of the museum’s spring lecture series. It is free to museum members and $5 for non-members.

Wednesday, April 19

“I Found No Peace”

by Webb Miller Book Talk

6:30 p.m. 

Sacred Heart of Mary

Catholic Church

An internationally famous foreign correspondent who grew up near Dowagiac, Webb Miller traveled the world reporting on global events and was present for many unique happenings of the early 20th Century. He brought information to readers that would have otherwise been unavailable.

The SHM book discussion group will focus on a selection of his stories and the effect of that reporting throughout the world, as well as comparing modern media coverage of similar stories. The public is welcome.

Saturday, May 13

Traditional Lifeways Workshop 

10 a.m. 

Dowagiac District Library

Jefferson Ballew, traditionalist from the Pokagon Band, will utilize items gathered from the earth to create a sacred fire. He will explain the tools and natural materials used to create the fire and the relationships we have to those items.

Thursday, May 25

Epilogue Feast

6 p.m. 

Pokagon Band Community Center

One Story 2017 closes with a traditional Native American feast and an inspiring presentation by Potawatomi botanist and author Robin Wall Kimmerer. She will share knowledge on the culturally important plants of the region, which provide the community with gifts of medicines, wild foods, materials and wisdom. She will also discuss how a connection to local plants contributes to identity, wellbeing and a sense of place.