GREENLEAF TWP. — Vandals have defaced the centuries-old Sanilac petroglyphs, according to a news release from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources,

“We are all deeply saddened by this disrespectful act,” said Sandra Clark, director of the Michigan History Center, which interprets the petroglyphs for the public, in the news release. “The petroglyphs were created by people who lived in what is now Michigan centuries ago. They are part of all of our history, and they have a deep spiritual meaning for many Anishinabek who live in the Great Lakes Region today.”

According to the news release, someone broke in at the Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park, which is in Greenleaf Township in Sanilac County, and carved three images.

"It came as big shock to us as well," said Erik Rodriguez, director or public relations for the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan.

"We haven't gotten all the details from the Michigan History Center. I'm not sure how they broke in."

He said the tribe is working with the state to find ways to secure the petroglyph site

More: Rare petroglyphs in Michigan provide link to Native American past

"This is one of the things that connects us to our ancestors, to our history," Rodriguez said. "... For somebody to come in and, with something that is so significant to us, for somebody to come in and vandalize it, that's heartbreaking to us."

The petroglyphs are carved into a 40-by-20-foot piece of sandstone near the Cass River. They were uncovered when the Great Thumb Fire of 1881 burned away the vegetation.

"These are the only ones (in Michigan) that have been uncovered to this time," Rodriguez said.

According to the news release, the petroglyphs are called "ezhibiigaadek asin" in the Anishinabemowin language, which translates to "written on stone."

“The Sanilac Petroglyphs are one of the most important connections we have to our past within the region,” said Tribal Chief Frank Cloutier, of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan, in the news release. “The stories that are handed down from generation to generation thread our past to the present. We need to preserve 'diba jimooyung' (‘telling our stories’).

“Pictures, stories and our language are all we have that identifies our Anishinabek people,” he added. “Without proper protections of these ancient treasures we run the risk of losing precious sacred information. My community needs these treasures protected and secured. The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan will do everything we can to partner with the state of Michigan to assist with this.”

The DNR and the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan ask that anyone with information about the persons who defaced the Sanilac Petroglyphs call or text the DNR Report All Poaching hotline at (800) 292-7800. Information also can be shared on the DNR web-based RAP reporting form at https://secure1.state.mi.us/rap/.

People can qualify for a reward, provided by the Michigan History Center, if they submit information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the vandals.

"We urge the public to be our added eyes and ears in the field to assist Michigan's state parks and recreation system in protecting these and other cultural treasures from such senseless acts of vandalism," said Ron Olson, chief of DNR Parks and Recreation Division, in the news release. "Please alert park rangers and staff if you witness any suspicious activity that may threaten this area."

Rodriguez said the tribe wants the individuals who vandalized the petroglyphs brought to justice, but also wants to make sure others know about the importance of the carvings.

"We hope that we can identify the vandals who did this and explain the significance (of the petroglyphs)," he said.

Contact Bob Gross at (810) 989-6263 or rgross@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @RobertGross477.