A Story of Healing and History: “A Canoe Named Klmin” - Book Signing with Lotsie Holton

Join us for a powerful evening at the Harbor Springs History Museum as we welcome Lotsie Hermann Holton, seventh-generation descendant of Captain William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Holton will share the remarkable story of reconciliation that began with a theft more than 200 years ago. In 1805, members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition stole a canoe from the Chinook people—an act that left a wound carried for generations.

During the bicentennial of the Expedition, the Clark family acknowledged this wrong. In 2011, descendants of William Clark worked with the Chinook Tribe to commission and gift a magnificent new ocean-going canoe. This act of return and renewal was marked with drumming, songs, dancing, and the sharing of gifts. The canoe was named Klmin—a Chinook word meaning “moon”, honoring the tides.

Holton will briefly share this story before showing a video of the gifting ceremony. Following the video, Holton will be signing copies of her book "A Canoe Named Klmin," which explores this powerful act of healing, the deep ties between history and environmental stewardship, and how a single canoe can carry the weight of memory, justice, and hope for the future. The books will be for sale at the History Museum before this event and after. Special guest Warren Petoskey will play the flute to end the presentation.

The book signing and presentation are free and open to the public with donations encouraged. To RSVP with a donation, use the dropdown menu below and add the event to your cart. To RSVP without a donation, click here. Call 231-526-9771 with any questions.