Oral Histories
Building on the efforts of the River Raisin Legacy Project, a complementary initiative to document oral histories in video format serves as a powerful extension of community storytelling and environmental preservation.
This project captures firsthand accounts from long-time residents, historians, Indigenous voices, environmental advocates, and others who have lived through the changing relationship between the River Raisin and the Monroe community. These video-recorded oral histories not only preserve personal narratives that might otherwise be lost, but also provide invaluable context to the region’s cultural, environmental, and historical identity.
By weaving together individual experiences with broader conservation efforts, the project helps viewers understand the river’s significance as a living archive of memory, resilience, and local pride.
These stories enrich public education, support historical research, and foster a deeper emotional connection to the River Raisin, ensuring its legacy is passed down to future generations in a meaningful and accessible way.
This project was made possible by funding through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative administered by the Michigan Areas of Concern Program, Office of the Great Lakes, Department of Environmental Quality, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and the Environmental Protection Agency for the River Raisin. film enhances existing educational outreach material and initiatives COTE has released.