Last updated September 30, 1997

Sorry to say, there wasn't enough business for Jeff to continue the storefront operation, but if anyone is interested in his stuff, he's still operating it from his home as a mail-order operation. One of these days, I'll meet up with him and use Flip's digital camera to get some pics of his work. It's really impressive! If you need to get ahold of him in the meantime, let me know, and I'll get you his address.

(Just to let you know, I didn't write this. I just quoted exactly the article in the Ludington Daily News, which is famous for having world-class reporters and journalists. So if you get tired of the phrase "He Said", don't flame me. I didn't do the interview, ok? I don't have a degree in Journalism or anything like that, but I wouldn't use the same thing that many times in any article I wrote, unless I wasn't being paid enough or didn't like the people I was working for.)

Creating primitive Native American art is a way for Jeff Battice to carry on the beliefs and traditions of his heritage.

He has been building the love flutes, prayer feathers, turtle shell rattles and about 200 other items from his family's past for the past 15 years.

Two weeks ago, he set up shop in downtown Ludington and began to sell his wares.

Battice moved his Fire Trail business into a portion of the South James storefront of Piszczek's Paint and Glass. Piszczek's no longer sells paint, freeing up a large part of the store. That left room for Battice's art.

Battice said he never tells children they can not touch.

"They should have hands on learning and be able to ask questions and understand," he said.

He was raised in rural Oceana County by his father and was inspired by one of his father's friends to pursue Native American art.

"He taught me the old traditional way," he said.

"It made me more interested in finding out about my background and the heritage of my family."

He is a member of the Turtle Clan of the Grand River Band of Ottawa Indians.

He works at FloraCraft at night and at the store during the day.

"It's a long day," he said.

But he hopes he makes enough money to at least break even allowing him to stay open.

"I feel good when people say, that's unique or that's interesting," he said.

Hours at Fire Trail, 321 S. James St., are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 am to 3 p.m. Saturday.

(As the humble typer of things that go in these pages, I just decided to add a couple of neat links to other Native American webpages. Check this out, or this, if you're interested in learning a lot more about the ones who were here before all of us other immigrants--Lee)