Many years ago, in the land of Michigawaw, or great water, lived the Ottawa Indians. Legend tells us that a tall pine tree stood high on a bluff over-looking Lake Michigan. Paddlers far out in the lake saw this pine. It was one of the earliest landmarks in the region (northern Michigan). The largest Indian village south of the Straits of Mackinac was located here.
On day the Great Ottawa Chieftain and hunter,
Na-na-bo-jo, was climbing the bluff with his canoe high above his head. The canoe caught on the tall pine tree and gave Na-na-bo-jo a bad fall. In anger, he struck the tree with his fist and bent it over. Where he hit the tree, a large swelling came out, and afterwards every knot or growth was called Na-na-bo-jo's fist.
Tradition has it that "The Crooked Tree" stood near Middle Village, some thirteen miles north of Harbor Springs. The Crooked Tree no longer stands at Middle Village, but some of the Ottawa houses, a church, and its cemetery may be seen.
How a Crooked Tree Was Made
Native American tied down saplings to mark overland routes. As trees matured, the branches of these "language trees" grew crooked or at odd angles, guiding tribal members to their destinations. Tribes throughout Michigan traveled the trails in seasonal movements, from winter hunting grounds to summer village sites. In time, the paths became the first roads.
In Traverse City, there is a "Crooked Tree" at the Civic Center in a fenced enclosure. There is also a "Crooked Tree" at 427 Washington Street. At least one may be found on the Pierce Stocking Drive at Sleeping Bear Dunes Lakeshore and at the Platte River Campground.
When Girl Scouts of Crooked Tree was created, it was decided to take the name "Crooked Tree" because these trees were a unique feature of the area and found throughout the Council's jurisdiction.
Girl Scouts of Crooked Tree Is Formed
Girl Scouting first came to Northwest Lower Michigan in the late 1920's. "Lone troops" operated with advice and assistance from the national Girl Scout organization. Later, small councils were formed throughout the area-Aspen Trails Girl Scout Council (Traverse City), Petoskey Council, Pine Tree Council (Ludington), Manistee Girl Scout Council, Cadillac Girl Scout Council, and Charlevoix Michigan Girl Scout Council. In 1962, Girl Scouts of the USA merged these small councils to form Crooked Tree Girl Scout Council. The Council's name was changed in 2000 to Girl Scouts of Crooked Tree in compliance with the GSUSA's brand image campaign. |
