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10/22/2026

Grand Rapids Public Museum debuts refreshed Indigenous history exhibit.

In recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day, a reimagined exhibit featuring the history, traditions, and languages of West Michigan Indigenous tribes is opening at the Grand Rapids Public Museum.

“We’ve rested this exhibit for almost two years, and today we are bringing it back all refreshed and renewed and with a lot of the old stories that were in there and some new stories as well.”

Katrina Furman is a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians and curator for the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s revitalized exhibit, Anishinaabek: The Original People of This Place. She says while the original 1994 exhibit was appropriate for its time, some updates were necessary.

“Maybe there was some terminology that could’ve been improved on. There were some stories that we just kind of mentioned, kind of scratched the surface on, and we wanted to dig a little bit deeper into that.”

Furman worked with local tribal councils to ensure Indigenous perspectives are represented. The exhibit includes holographic experiences, immersive environments, and multimedia storytelling.

“I want school kids to come in and get a little more education than just those few paragraphs that are in their history book, or maybe that footnote that’s at the bottom of the textbook for the university students.”

The project was financially supported by lead sponsor The Wege Foundation, the Bay Mills Indian Community and other donors.

https://www.wgvunews.org/news/2026-10-12/grand-rapids-public-museum-debuts-refreshed-indigenous-history-exhibit



Grand Rapids Public Museum, Bay Mills Indian Community

10/21/2026

White Cane Day showcases visually impaired independence.

Advocates for the visually impaired hit the streets of Grand Rapids Thursday, raising mobility awareness.

Close your eyes and imagine sounds – and a white cane - are what you have to navigate Grand Rapids’ busy city streets.

“There have been strides in installing more detectable warnings at street corners. We've seen more of those pop up, which are so helpful to prevent people who are using canes from just drifting into the street without knowing it.”

Abby Koroma‘s husband is visually impaired as are two of her three children.

She spoke at the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired White Cane Awareness Walk as educator and accessibility advocate.

“My husband takes a lot of pride in his blindness, and we're trying to instill that pride in our children as well, as we send them the message that they are complete the way they are, and just wouldn't change a thing about them. And for the community to come around that message as well, and for this gathering to happen is really meaningful for that reason."

Orientation Mobility Instructor Josh Thomas says the white cane also serves as a signal to others of visual impairment; whether a person is completely blind or has low vision in certain conditions.

“Sometimes it is one of those invisible disabilities, and without having that identification, we might not get the answers that we want when we're asking for a menu, or asking information about the environment, or asking for a bus route number. If you have that white cane, it identifies you.”

The Grand Rapids-based Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired serves more than 1,000 people in 13 West Michigan counties with rehabilitation, counseling, job training, assistive technology and more.

https://www.wgvunews.org/news/2026-10-15/white-cane-day-showcases-visually-impaired-independence



Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired, The City of Grand Rapids

10/21/2026

Justin Roebuck, County Clerk/Register of Deeds for Ottawa County.

https://www.wgvu.org/vote/



League of Women Voters of the US Democracy Defense Foundation, Grand Rapids Chamber, Michiganders for Civic Resilience, Michigan Republican Party, Michigan Democratic Party

10/18/2026

This first-annual fundraising event from WGVU Public Media brings together the curious-minded for a celebratory evening of taste discoveries! Heavy hors d'oeuvres will complement a curated w**e selection from Rishi's International Beverage! All proceeds fund local reporting, education, and storytelling!

October 23 from 6:30-9:30pm at the Grand Rapids Art Museum.

Tickets here: https://www.wgvu.org/grand-pour/

10/16/2026

1,100 Stories, One Unified Voice: Powerful tapestry donated to YWCA West Central Michigan.

A new art installation with a powerful message has a new home at Grand Rapids’ YWCA West Central Michigan, sharing stories from domestic violence and sexual assault survivors.

https://www.wgvunews.org/tags/womens-woven-voices

Women's Woven Voices, YWCA West Central Michigan

Still on the fence about whether or not to join us at The Grand Pour? Well then, here's a sign:This first-annual fundrai...
10/15/2026

Still on the fence about whether or not to join us at The Grand Pour? Well then, here's a sign:

This first-annual fundraising event from WGVU Public Media brings together the curious-minded for a celebratory evening of taste discoveries. Heavy hors d'oeuvres will complement a curated w**e selection from Rishi's International Beverage. All proceeds fund local reporting, education, and storytelling.

October 23 from 6:30-9:30pm at the Grand Rapids Art Museum.

Tickets on sale at wgvu.org/grandpour

Our latest Made with Love tour is underway in Italy. We’re bringing our fabulous WGVU PBS members from Grand Rapids into...
10/14/2026

Our latest Made with Love tour is underway in Italy. We’re bringing our fabulous WGVU PBS members from Grand Rapids into the heart of Umbria, where history, food, and craftsmanship come together.

First stop: Orvieto and its breathtaking Duomo, followed by a truffle-filled lunch at a ristorante perched above 2,000-year-old Etruscan caves and caverns.

Then, a wonderful visit to L’Antica Deruta, where Giorgio, his family, and their talented artists welcomed us into the world of Italian ceramics. Every piece is handcrafted, hand-painted, and—as you might imagine—Made with Love.

A beautiful beginning to our Umbrian adventure. Stay tuned for our next stop!

10/13/2026

Don't let an unused vehicle haunt your driveway this CARtober! Donate it to power the public media programming you love. Learn more and start your vehicle donation at wgvu.org/car and happy CARtober!

Address

301 Fulton Street W
Grand Rapids, MI
49504

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16163316666

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