• Sunday-What'sUP February 4 - 09:17 am

Assinins is significant as one of the earliest Upper Peninsula Catholic missions associated with Bishop Frederic Baraga, and is composed of some of the oldest structures in the region. Founded by Father Baraga in 1843 and destroyed in 1873, the mission was an important link for establishing good relations with the local Ottawa and Chippewa tribes. It was on this site that Father Baraga wrote his best known works, a book on Chippewa grammar and a Chippewa dictionary. Following the Civil War, Baraga deeded the land and its buildings to Chief Edward Assinins and the Keewenaw band of the Chippewa Native Americans. Father Baraga built the Old St. Joseph Orphanage and School in 1860 and wings were added in 1866 and 1877. A larger orphanage building was constructed just south of the old school in 1929 and used until the late 1950's. In 1957 the buildings were rededicated as the Sacred Heart Friary and used as the novitiate of the Capuchin Fathers in the Midwest until the late 1960's. The old building is still being used for church services of the Most Holy Name of Jesus parish and also houses a priest and a brother of the Capuchin Order of St. Francis. Presently located on the property is the Keweenaw Bay Indian Tribal Center, community center and headquarters for the Tribal Council.

Chief Edward Assinins (Little Stone)

How does one pronounce "Assinins" ??

How does one pronounce "Assinins" ??

How does one pronounce "Assinins"??

(sorry; I only asked once...) ;)

But it's a good question! :) I hope someone can
help us.

Interesting, Charlie!
'below the bridge', hopefully you'll get an answer to one of 'em.;)

I believe Assinins is pronounced Aw-sin-nees.

Growing up in the Copper Country, I learned Assinins
as "Aw-sin-ins"

That's an interesting question, "below the bridge." I bet it's
pronounced differently in English and the Ojibway language. I just
checked my copy of Father Baraga's "Dictionary of the Ojibway
Language," and discovered that the word "assinins" means "a little
stone on the beach of a lake."

For many years my father was the Santa Clause at the orphanage. Businessmen from around the Copper Country funded the giving of a very nice gift to every child, and making a nice party out of it. As my father's health failed him he turn the job over to Jack Rice, the publisher of the Gazette. Each child would sit on Santas lap and after a short chat receive a gift. On dad's last Chritmas there, when all the children were done, one of the adult staff surprised dad by sitting on his lap. She told him that she had been the very first little girl to get a gift from him and wanted to be the last to sit on his lap. BYW, I agree, it was always AW sin ins.

That's touching, Richard, it shows that kindness is usually remembered, and repaid with kindness.

My grandmother Rose Prince Stanton was raised at the orphanage. As a young child my mom and Mrs. Kopel would take I think Mary and myself to the give things to the orphans. I remember one time having suckers on a celephane strip. We were supposed to give each kid one. Ended up with being mobbed by them and holding the candy above my head and letting them have whatever they wanted. All my hand me downs went to the orphans. Mom always called it the Indian orphanage. That was in the late forties.

I heard it the same was as Laure.

Richard and Mikie, your stories related to the orphanage really add a new dimension to this information. Thank you for sharing!

I noticed Charley Kawbawgam identified in the old photo of the Indian Chiefs. His resting place is at Presque Isle Park in Marquette.

I enjoy the cam each day, but just wanted to thank everyone for the info making today even more special.