A Living Archive of Wahnabeezee

Beneath the sheltering boughs of a lakeside tree on Wahnabeezee/Belle Isle, a curious structure stands. At first glance, it may resemble a birdhouse, but its glass pane and hinged door suggest a human purpose. Inside rests a single notebook, accompanied by pens and pencils, inviting visitors to share their thoughts, sketches, and reflections. This unassuming ‘bookcase’ has become a living archive, where visitors record sightings, pen poems, express gratitude, and connect with the land through their words and drawings.

Belle Isle Park is a 982-acre island in the Detroit River. Originally named Wahnabeezee, which translates to “Swan Island” by the  Anishinaabe Peoples, the island is considered a sacred place. Before widespread settler development throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Indigenous communities lived, hunted, and traded there.

Before widespread settler-colonial development throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, many Indigenous Peoples including Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, Wyandot, Meskwaki, and Ojibwe used the island to live, hunt, and trade. Years of inter-tribal conflict and collective tribal resistance to European settlement eventually resulted in all Indigenous Peoples’ forced removal through the “purchase” of the island by British Lt. George McDougall in 1768. The island was privately owned by white settlers until 1879, when the city of Detroit purchased the island. Belle Isle Park was established in 1880.

Wahnabeezee’s legends—from the ghostly figure of the “Lady in White” said to haunt the island, to rattlesnakes guarding the land—reflect the island’s historical and spiritual significance. Today, it remains an urban oasis, blending this cultural heritage with modern recreation.

Viewed through a framework of ecocriticism, the lakeside notebook becomes more than a simple repository of thoughts—it serves as an interactive bridge between humans and the environment. Each entry, whether a heartfelt reflection or a playful sketch, weaves together personal and collective narratives of nature.

This communal act of writing deepens connections to the natural world, reminding us of the layered relationship between people and place. The notebook transforms into a space where eco-consciousness grows, revealing how individuals and communities experience and respond to the landscape around them.

Connections to Place

One entry declares, “Spring has officially settled in. First-day needing sunscreen. Sitting on the sand, watching dogs play and soaking up the sun. Filling myself up with gratitude for everything Pachamama provides ❤️. I love being on this island watching everyone enjoy themselves and shake off the winter heaviness. Also, how can it keep getting better? ❤️”

Another writer states, “I Love Belle Isle and have been walking around it at least once a week for a few years. Can’t believe I just found this spot. Love the comments.”

Another pens a succinct remark, “Look at the tree to your right. It is simply beautiful!”

Some merely sign their presence with a familiar declaration of “_____ was here,” while others commemorate moments of joy, sorrow, or celebration.

Visitors note their connections, however ephemeral, to Wahnabeezee: “Visiting from Wisconsin.” A group of university students visiting from various European countries added a line: “My roommate from Denmark swam in the pond.” It was February.

Alongside infrequent visitors are the regulars seeking solace from the mundane rigors of life: “We come to the island almost every day. It’s a mini getaway from home.” Or first-timers marvel at the wintry splendor: “Today is my first time here and it’s freezing but beautiful. I will write more another day when its warmer.”

These snippets testify to the park’s role as a gathering place for people from diverse backgrounds, each contributing their own perspectives and creating a sense of shared narrative. These reflections and notes reinforce a view of Belle Isle as a sanctuary of ecological appreciation.

A Communal Natural Space

The notebook offers a communal yet deeply personal narrative, with shared experiences painting vivid descriptions of Wahnabeezee’s sky, icy waters, and wildlife—ranging from downy woodpeckers to bald eagles. It supports discussions on the importance of communal spaces for the purpose of environmental education and engagement, allowing individuals to exchange insights that foster a deeper understanding of ecological issues.

This shared endeavor unites diverse individuals under a common love for the land, encouraging collective responsibility for sustaining the natural world. The vivid descriptions are so accurate that if one closed their eyes they could see and feel the gentle breeze, and miraculous forty-degree weather in February. Water flows over ice. Blue skies, seagulls floating.

Among these reflections, a personal favorite entry captures the beauty of a fading day: “It’s getting dark, but I think I just saw the most beautiful sunset of my life.” Complementing this is the tactile memory of “lots of loud crunchy ice” underfoot, evoking the crispness of the season.

Joyful descriptions of dogs basking in the sun, such as “Dogs are loving it, sun is shining, another beautiful day on Wahnabeezee” remind us that all beings can find solace in these natural spaces.

The book also stimulates asynchronous debate. A mystery bird sighting invites a lively exchange among amateur birders. One contributor writes, “Dark grey body, light red chest, long wings and a very distinct white band on the base of the tail where it met the body. Guesses??” In a different color pen and handwriting, someone answers, “Red tail Hawk.” Another contributor adds, “Northern Harrier,” and circles it.

“My guess is maybe a Cooper’s hawk?” another chimes in, “But don’t take my word for it I am no ornithologist.” 

From an ecocritical perspective, these entries emphasize the interconnectedness of humans, other-than-humans, and nature. The shared documentation promotes awareness and sustainable interaction with the environment, illustrating a communal form of storytelling that deepens participants’ connection to the natural world.

Giving Thanks

The beauty chronicled in the notebook evokes responses of thanksgiving, with many writers expressing their gratitude for the land. This sentiment radiates. The book not only facilitates ecological insights, but it also fosters a collective identity deeply intertwined with environmental contexts. Each contribution—from detailed natural observations to expressions of gratitude for the shared space—reinforces the notion that our interactions with the natural world significantly shape human identity and community bonds.

Contributors note the experiences the island provides. One writer notes, “No bird spottings, just a beautiful snowy walk. Bless you. I’ll be back. ❤️” Others share appreciation for nature and Michigan, with one saying, “Blessings on all God’s creatures… Michigan forever,” and another reflecting, “Grateful for this land that has held me through many seasons and moods.”

One person focuses on a specific element: “I’m grateful for the log… I think each of us decides what is sacred—and for me, it is this.” Many simply write “THANK YOU” in different styles, some adding exclamation marks and emojis. A message is even directed to the anonymous creator of the visitor book: “Thank you for this gift of connection… If you are reading this, thank you for being here. What a glorious day!”

Acts of gratitude reveal how communal spaces inspire individual reflections and a shared reverence for the environment. Such collective appreciation contributes to an ecological consciousness, uniting individuals in the recognition of their responsibility to preserve and cherish the natural world.

Community-Focused Messages

But, amidst personal reflections, the notebook also serves as a platform for community-focused messages. Environmental stewardship—like “Pick up some trash!”—appears alongside affirmations of positivity, such as “Seize the day” and “Show love, spread love!” These messages reflect the community’s vitality and shared sense of responsibility.

One entry urges action: “Do a good deed today. Take care of Mother Earth!” Another reflects on an encounter with swans and cormorants while also promoting cleanliness: “Picked up some trash to keep Wahnabeezee cleaner for our non-human friends.” Another contributor emphasizes activism: “I just dropped off petitions! Women, never stop fighting for reproductive freedom. Men, help out!”

The following entry refers to Wahnabeezee’s transition from city to state park control in February 2014: “Hello Detroit People. This is one of our fave spots in the city. I hope they don’t ruin it with ‘development.’” Since then, many locals have watched anxiously as the Michigan Department of Natural Resources took over its management and proposed several changes.

However, as with all public spheres, there is critique and debate, captured in the notebook by comments such as “Needs a bigger bridge but adorable” and “Go Vegan”—to which someone replies, “Shut up.” These comments reflect the diverse opinions and lively discourse that characterize this unique communal space. The blend of personal and collective voices are the product of dynamic engagements that foster environmental awareness and social responsibility.

Support in Hard Times

The notebook does not always record beauty and joy at Wahnabeezee. At times, the tone shifts to a more serious and reflective nature, with entries becoming longer and more poetic or philosophical. Some entries are poignant reminders of life’s fragility and the healing power of nature. A healthcare worker recounts the peaceful last moments of a young patient; a heartbroken visitor laments a recent breakup; and a sibling duo walks the trails in memory of their father, finding solace in the tranquility of Wahnabeezee.

There is an entry written by an individual who describes their life trajectory, growing up in Michigan and then moving to New York City at age eighteen because they believed it would be “the answer to all their troubles.” Instead, they became entangled in drug use and spent years trying to recover. One quote resonates with me: “You can spend all your life wishing you did something else or lived somewhere else, but sometimes everything you need is so close you can’t see it.” The author concludes with, “All it takes is to step back. Michigan Forever ❤️.”

There is also a moving entry about a person contemplating suicide, but their encounter with Wahnabeezee and the communal journal proved transformative. Maybe it was the other entries and stories, or maybe it was the environment, that compelled the writer to reconsider their decision. 

One writer wrote a poem titled Full Moon in Cancer: Here to Release / Here to Cry / Here to Commune with Nature / Here to Listen / Here to love / Here to be.

The entry is signed with a name, and around their lines, in true treehouse notebook community fashion, people responded with affirmation—hearts and “love this!” This collective interaction underscores how nature not only comforts but can also provide life-altering support.

Contributors use the space to reflect on broader themes such as the impact of human activity on the environment, the spiritual and therapeutic benefits of nature, and our moral responsibilities toward the earth and its ecosystems. This transition in tone and content not only enriches the dialogue within the notebook but also provides a platform for deeper introspection and community engagement on significant environmental and philosophical issues.

Shared Experiences, Shared Emotions

Within the pages of the lakeside notebook, entries evoke a shared yet personal narrative of joy, self-care, and connection. Messages include reflective reminders to “Fall in love today,” “Nourish yourself,” or simply, “Everything will be okay.” Visitors respond to these uplifting notes, adding a “love this” or heartfelt affirmation.

Personal moments appear frequently—old friends reunite, high school memories resurface, and pets are lovingly remembered. Couples sketch initials, share kisses under trees, and leave traces of affection in the notebook, adding emotional layers to the collective story. These moments intertwine, capturing the essence of a community drawn to this shared natural space.

The Belle Isle notebook captures the range of human experience in various languages, revealing a dynamic blend of joy, sorrow, settler-colonial history, and connection that defines the community here. Some contributors leave identifiers—Instagram handles, names, social media accounts—reflecting a modern desire for connection, even in an increasingly anonymous world. And in a world where many crave anonymity, these identifiers underscore a compelling theme: the intersection of digital and physical communities that enhances our environmental awareness and strengthens community ties.

Viewed through an ecocritical lens, the notebook emerges as a communal text that records diverse perceptions of the natural world, illustrating both personal environmental ethics and collective calls for stewardship. Each entry reflects a unique appreciation for nature, from simple joys to thoughtful expressions of ecological responsibility. By blending personal reflection with communal expression, the notebook becomes a living document of the community’s shared love for place and commitment to environmental care.

Each entry, collectively, captures the enduring spirit of this place and the timeless, communal act of storytelling. Ultimately, this riverside book transcends being merely a collection of musings. It provides a place for reflection, connection, and collective environmental storytelling, each entry affirming the enduring spirit of the place and the timeless act of sharing stories.

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Featured Image: Morning on Belle Isle. Photo by Tracie Michelle, 2014.

Talitha Pam is a Ph.D. candidate in the interdisciplinary doctoral program in Anthropology and History at the University of Michigan and a researcher with the university’s Detroit River Story Lab, which sponsored this project. Her dissertation explores northern Nigerian diasporic communities in the United States, focusing on how conflict, migration, identity, and media shape these communities. Talitha is deeply passionate about environmental issues, particularly natural resource use and management. As a writer, storyteller, and advocate for creative and analytical research practices, she is dedicated to conducting and sharing knowledge with audiences beyond academia. Contact.