Art Form: Ojibwa cultural and historic preservation leadership

Location(s): L'Anse (Baraga County)

Lois LaFernier

Portrait of Lois LaFernier

In the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Lois LaFernier (1925-2000) held the prestigious position of storyteller. She was described by fellow tribal members as "a sensitive, caring person who sees and responds to the needs of the community." (1) Despite physical limitations, Lois dedicated her life to the health and education of others within her community, reaching out, whenever possible, to those outside of the tribal community.

A dominant member of the Ojibwa Senior Citizens, she helped the group implement a meal program for senior citizens and raise money for the operation of a private building. Her efforts to recruit tribal elders as bereavement volunteers were also successful.

Lois's sensitive persona was a priceless asset to her position at a local hospital nursery. She not only contributed to her family's needs, but also made other members of her tribal community feel as though they had a friend amidst the hospital staff. Fellow nurses considered her a valuable resource in transcultural issues involving health care.

A storyteller, Lois educated the community about Ojibwa methods of hunting and fishing, food preparation, history, and traditions in her column in Ojibwa News, the tribe's monthly newsletter. She also volunteered a column for the community's monthly health department newsletter; her writings used conventional tribal teaching to address health problems in contemporary society.

Lois's activities extended not only to the adults of the community, but to the youth as well. Serving as storyteller in summer youth programs held at her home and donating time to a group home for severely troubled children were just a few of the ways she reached the younger generation.

(1) Haycock, Naomi. Letter of nomination. 1 December 1997.