Brian and Theron Moore, brothers and Presidents of Moore Trosper Construction Company, as well as their sister Heather Place, are enrolled members of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. The three siblings trace their Anishinaabe lineage to the St. Ignace and Mackinac Island regions of Ojibwe/Odawa territory.

As a certified minority business enterprise, Moore Trosper embraces this heritage and incorporates these tribal beliefs and values into the core company philosophy.

Our Tribal Flag

Each symbol on the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians tribal flag is based upon the Medicine Wheel, which represents the core beliefs we hold.

Turtle:

Turtle represents to our people the mother earth we stand upon, sustaining us with constancy and generosity, and is the central aspect of the symbol. Turtle provided a living place for human beings and all creatures between sky and water.

Crane:

Crane represents to our people eloquence of leadership and direction. The voice of Crane is unique and infrequent. When Crane speaks, all listen. Crane is the spokesperson for the clans.

Eagle:

Eagle received from Gitche Manitou (the Great Spirit) the gifts of strong wings, keen sight and proud bearing. Eagle symbolizes courage and knowledge. His sphere is the mountains and the heights.

Rabbit:

Rabbit represents Wanabozho, a messenger of Gitche Manitou, an intermediary on Earth among different species of beings. Rabbit is an advocate for the Anishnabek, to whom he imparted the gift of knowledge.

Deer:

Deer received from Gitche Manitou the gift of grace. To our people, Deer symbolizes love.

Bear:

Bear received from Gitche Manitou the gift of courage and strength. Bear is representative of all medicine powers in creation. Bear passes knowledge on through dreams and visions.

Mountain Ash Tree:

The Mountain Ash Tree is the sacred tree of the Anishnabek, noted for the medicinal value in its leaves, berries, and bark. The tree is able to survive in places where other trees cannot. The Mountain Ash is used as an example of strength, durability and strong character by the people.

The Colors of the Native American
Circle of Life

Red:

Symbolizes Earth and fire and represents the southern direction color.

Yellow:

From the East leading to the West is a Yellow Path. It is said by our elders that this is the path of life, the path of the great warrior, the sun. Yellow represents the Eastern Direction.

Black:

Symbolizes the western direction.

White:

Symbolizes spirituality and the northern direction.

Aqua-green:

Symbolizes plant life and growing things.

Blue:

Is symbolic of sky and waters.

Rainbow:

Is the beautiful bridge to the spirit world and the colors of the universe.

The Directions

East is the direction of the rising sun, and is thought of as a Grandfather personifying the winds and natural phenomena of that direction. East is the direction of the physical body. It symbolizes all that is new in the creation, like newborn creatures, including humans. Like the rising sun, a new day is brought to light. The East is the time of change. It is the spring, the time of change from blackness to beauty. It is the sun breaking over the horizon. We give thanks to our eastern Grandfather.

South is represented on the flag with the red background and is a continuation of our circle of life. South is the direction of maturing life, like young men and women. It is the time of year we call summer, the time we call mid-day, and the time of day the eagle soars. South is the direction of full understanding. We give thanks to our southern Grandfather.

West is the direction of the setting sun in the time of gradual change, as from daylight to darkness, from life to death. It is evening, the change of life in middle age, it is change like the leaves or the hair on our heads. The West is the time of full maturity. It is a time of insight. West is the direction of the emotional part of ourselves. We give thanks to our western Grandfather.

North is the time of our elders, our old people. It is a time of wisdom, much like the answers found in our dreams. It represents the night, as a time called midnight, and a time called winter when things are as unpredictable as our dreams. North is representative of those things that are positive, a time of snow and purity. We give thanks to our northern Grandfather.

From wherever we stand upon our Earth Mother, we have companionship of these four directions. We are cared for by our Earth Mother with her blessings of food, clothing, shelter and medicine. We give thanks to our Earth Mother, the direction below us.

The directions above recognize the daytime and nighttime skies of our creation. This is where we look to acknowledge the Great Spirit, the Creator. The Creator gives us everything we know, like the Rainbow, a beautiful bridge to the spirit world and colors of the universe. Therefore our greatest acknowledgement is to the Creator of all the universe.

Nokomis Learning Center

The Nokomis Native American Cultural Learning Center, located in Okemos, Michigan, is dedicated to the preservation and presentation of the history, arts, and culture of the Anishinaabe people – the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi nations. The Center fulfills this mission through educational programs, exhibitions and special events. Brian and Ted Moore, Presidents of Moore Trosper, have both sat on the Board of Directors of Nokomis Learning Center as Presidents, contributing many hours of volunteer work each year.