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.
Plaidurday began right here in Lansing, just a few blocks from where we meet. The first Plaidurday was the celebrated in 2011, and
15 years later it has grown into a celebration of plaid around the world. So wear your plaid on Friday, October 2 and we’ll gather everyone who participates for a Rotary Plaidurday group photo! Learn more here —> https://plaidurday.com/
As we welcome October, the DEI Committee remains committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within our organization. This month, we encourage everyone to continue exploring perspectives different from their own, engaging in meaningful dialogue, and seeking opportunities to create a more welcoming and equitable environment for all.
To further support our mission, the DEI Committee will be inviting diverse speakers throughout the month of October this year to share their expertise, and unique perspectives from their organizations. These conversations will help broaden our understanding, challenge assumptions, and inspire us to build stronger connections across our community. By listening to and learning from a variety of voices this month, we strengthen our collective ability to create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered.
DEI Thought for the Month:
"Belonging begins when people feel safe enough to be their authentic selves and valued for who they are."
Thank you for your continued commitment to making our organization a place where diversity is celebrated, equity is pursued, and inclusion is practiced every day. Together, we can create meaningful changes through learning, understanding, and action.
Lansing Rotarians, Jeff Crippen, Kurt Guter, Bernie Lucas, Jason Brunette, Camron Gnass, Joel Hoffman, Chris Nugent and Craig Spencer packed 368 food boxes at the Greater Lansing Food Bank's Food Distribution Center on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. Thank you Jason for organizing this effort! It builds community beyond our Club and is the right thing to do.
DowntownLansing Inc is having its annual Big Red Ball on Saturday, November 21, and they are looking for volunteers to help with the event. DLI’s mission is to “strengthen and nurture the culture, health, and sustainability of our downtown district.” Shifts on November 21 include event setup 2:30-5:30 pm, various shifts during the event from 5:30-10:00 pm, and event tear down and cleanup from 9:30-11:30 pm. More information can be found here: https://signup.com/go/GpgGkpd.
On a beautiful early fall afternoon, Rotarians gathered at the MSU Broad Art Museum. I, for one, did not mind the walk from the parking ramp to the museum!
We began our visit with beverages and hors d’oeuvres in the education wing of the museum. After about an hour, museum director Phillip Bahar welcomed us and gave us an overview of the We Are This Land exhibit and invited us to follow him on a brief tour of the exhibit highlights.
I enjoyed the tapestries that were hung from the ceiling and other art focusing on civics. One gallery contains several maps, including one that was hand drawn on wallpaper in faculty housing. The drawing bled through to the back and is displayed showing the wording reversed. Another map showed a very early map of campus that includes the location of an Indian village.
Another gallery focuses on family, displaying images of different types of families. This room also has a library consisting of fabric covered books with the names of politicians on the spines.
We didn’t have nearly enough time to explore the entire exhibit before the museum closed. Several Rotarians mentioned that they would plan to come back when there was more time to explore the exhibit.
Thanks to Phillip and the museum staff for hosting this month’s social gathering!
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.
the celebrated in 2011, and
Lansing Rotarians, Jeff Crippen, Kurt Guter, Bernie Lucas, Jason Brunette, Camron Gnass, Joel Hoffman, Chris Nugent and Craig Spencer packed 368 food boxes at the Greater Lansing Food Bank's Food Distribution Center on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. Thank you Jason for organizing this effort! It builds community beyond our Club and is the right thing to do.
DowntownLansing Inc is having its annual Big Red Ball on Saturday, November 21, and they are looking for volunteers to help with the event. DLI’s mission is to “strengthen and nurture the culture, health, and sustainability of our downtown district.” Shifts on November 21 include event setup 2:30-5:30 pm, various shifts during the event from 5:30-10:00 pm, and event tear down and cleanup from 9:30-11:30 pm. More information can be found here: 
