MOUNT PLEASANT, MI — On Friday, Nov. 15, a once endangered species in Michigan will become the hunted.

But before the state's first wolf hunt begins at dawn, members of the Saginaw Indian Chippewa Tribe gathered Thursday, Nov. 14, to pay tribute to an animal they know as "brother."

In a tent on the Saginaw Chippewa Reservation in Isabella County, a candlelight vigil and sacred fire paid tribute to the wolves.

Tribal Council Chaplin and Elder Steve Pego said the Anishnaabeg, which means first people, share a history with ma’iiganag, or wolves.

Pego said the first people and wolves once roamed the earth together as partners and hunted together.

“And once their journey was finished, we parted ways,” Pego said.

But the wolf continues to hold a special place in Native American life.

“Wolves are a part of our creation story and an intrinsic part of our culture,” said Frank Cloutier, public relations director for the tribe.

About 50 people gathered inside the tent, known as a lodge, at the Saginaw Chippewa Academy on Thursday night in Mount Pleasant. The structure, made from long branches held together with twine and covered with a white tarp, hosted a campfire in which attendees tossed in an offering of sage and tobacco.

Nan Spadacine, who made the trek from Midland, is a member of Keep Michigan Wolves Protected Coalition.

“They just came off the endangered species list and here we are hunting them,” she said while collecting signatures for a petition to keep wolves from being hunted. “We are here to support the protection of the wolves and support the Native Americans in their beliefs.”

After the brief history lesson to those sitting on the dirt floor and wood benches 6 inches from the ground, Pego stepped to the crackling fire to say a blessing before placing his offering with his left hand, the one closest to his heart, he said.

“Now it’s our turn to stick up for him,” he said. “It’s our turn to save him. I’m glad I’m here because it’s my turn to stick up for my brother. He’s my brother!”

Outside in the chilled autumn air, the crowd gathered in a circle with lit candles in hand.

Nathan Isaac, Saginaw Chippewa Academy cultural teacher, repeated more history between the Anishnaabeg and ma’iiganag.

“They (Anishnaabeg and ma’iiganag) walked the earth and came to know all of her,” Isaac said. “In the journey they became very close to each other… like brothers.”

The creator told them what happens to one of you will also happen to the other, he said. Each of you will be feared and misunderstood by the people that will later join you on this earth, Isaac said.

“We went in separate directions, to live separate lives," he said.

Attendees were treated to corn soup after the ceremony.

At dawn Friday, up to 43 wolves can be shot in three Upper Peninsula zones where officials say they have caused the most problems.

Twelve-hundred wolf-hunting licenses, all that were available, were sold in six days.

Read Mlive's special report on the Michigan wolf hunt here.

