Biography for John Ostrander

John Ostrander is the Executive Director of the Nokomis Cultural Heritage Center in Okemos, Michigan, a role he has held for nearly three years. Before stepping into this position, John served on the Center’s Board of Directors for three years and began his involvement with the organization as a volunteer in 2001. His background includes 25 years of running his own business in Lansing, followed by a brief retirement before joining the Nokomis Center full-time.
 
John oversees the day-to-day operations of the Center, manages facilities, and leads all programming and educational initiatives. He is responsible for planning cultural events, developing classes, coordinating community partnerships, and ensuring that the Center’s mission is reflected in every aspect of its work. Under his leadership, the Center has expanded its educational offerings, strengthened collaborations with Michigan State University, and hosted a wide range of community events.
  • In 2023, John helped host musicians and artists from the Small Island Big Song residency for a traditional Anishinaabe dinner and co-led hand-drum-building workshops in partnership with the Native American Institute at MSU. He also participates in cultural observances such as Michigan Indian Day, where he tended the Sacred Fire and supported community gatherings.
  •  John holds a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University, with dual majors in Operations Management and Logistics.
  • The Nokomis Cultural Heritage Center, founded in 1988, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to teaching the history, culture, and language of the Three Fires of the Anishinaabe—the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi peoples. The Center features a gallery filled with historical items and contemporary art, rotating exhibits twice a year, a hands-on learning classroom, a resource library, and a gift shop offering beaded jewelry, basketry, books, Ojibwe language materials, and other Indigenous crafts from across the Americas. Located at 5153 Marsh Rd., Okemos, MI, the Center provides classes, events, and cultural resources to the public.