SEVENTH FIRE GRAND OPENING and BLESSING

SEVENTH FIRE GRAND OPENING and BLESSING
Saturday, June 28, 2025 | 1:00PM
Miners Memorial Heritage Park
FREE
Miners Memorial Heritage Park
771 E. Ayer St.
Ironwood, MI 49938
Photo: Dylan Bizhikiins Jennings, Emberlight Festival 2024
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The Seventh Fire: A Decolonizing Experience premiered in October 2021
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THE FLAME IS LIT. THE STORIES BEGIN.

Join us for the Opening Ceremony of The Seventh Fire: A Decolonizing Experience, a powerful moment of reflection, recognition, and renewal. Set within the heart of Miners Memorial Heritage Park — on land that once belonged to the Ojibwe Anishinaabe people — this gathering will mark the beginning of the exhibit’s summer installation with a traditional blessing by Native American elders who helped shape and contribute to its creation.

These respected community members will share words, prayers, and cultural wisdom to honor the stories, histories, and sacred teachings represented in the exhibit. All are welcome to witness this meaningful event, which celebrates not only the opening of a powerful installation, but also the strength and resilience of the Anishinaabe people.

Come with open hearts and listening ears as we begin the season by lifting up the voices and traditions that guide the spirit of The Seventh Fire.

The Seventh Fire: A Decolonizing Experience is presented in partnership with the Beaumier Upper Peninsula Heritage Center, and is funded in part by the Michigan Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Walking Together: Finding Common Ground project was developed by the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan in conjunction with the Great Lakes Peace Center and the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center at Northern Michigan University. The goal of the project is to uncover, acknowledge and document the truth about Indigenous experiences in the Michigan Native American Boarding Schools.
ACCESSIBILITY

We are excited to offer complimentary golf cart rides again this summer!  Our driver will be doing tours all afternoon on opening day (June 28). The golf cart will also be available to bring patrons to Performance Infusions on Saturday afternoons. The online sign up form to reserve your tour will be available in June.

MORE ART TO DISCOVER

Art in the Park is also home to The Seventh Fire: A Decolonizing Experience and Emberlight’s Performance Infusions series.  The Seventh Fire runs from June 28 – August 23.  The Infusions are on Saturdays at 1pm and are FREE to attend.  Our 2025 Infusions include: A House Made of Wool (July 5), Close to Polish Heart (July 12), and Shakespearen Salad (July 26).

View the full festival

CLOSE TO POLISH HEART
Jul 12, 2025
SHAKESPEAREAN SALAD
Jul 26, 2025
THE SEVENTH FIRE: A DECOLONIZING EXPERIENCE
Jun 28 and Aug 23, 2025
ART IN THE PARK
Jun 28 and Aug 23, 2025