VaVa Vroom! Not typically something that we hear at the Ziibiwing Center, but a sound that will be accepted with much anticipation, after the Orange County Chopper’s, Paul Teutul Sr.’s May visit to the Ziibiwing Center.
Why, you ask?
Teutul Sr., metalwork mastermind and founder of Orange County Choppers, Inc. (OCC), is at what he does best; creating a custom made motorcycle. However, this time there is a refreshing twist to the OCC’s mobile artwork. The bike is being specially designed for the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan in collaboration with the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Council, the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, and the Ziibiwing Center.
Well-known for the hit reality TV series on TLC, American Chopper, Teutul Sr. has been welding and putting together bikes for the biggest names in corporate America such as: Microsoft, Lincoln, and Coca-cola since 1999. Since then, with the help of the OCC crew, including Teutul Sr.’s two sons, Paul and Mikey, the OCC has quickly become America’s premier builder of motorcycles.
“We’re happy to play a roll in the design and development,” said Shannon Martin, the executive director at the Ziibiwing Center.
The Ziibiwing Center has served as cultural inspiration and guidance in the creation of the design thus far, which will feature floral patterns, Ojibwe iconography, and cultural materials such as basketry containing black ash and clan symbols connected to the Thames River Petition of 1836.
Clan symbols have served as a signature for the American Indian chiefs and leaders through their interaction with the early US Government. The Thames River Petition specifically represents an agreement between the Chippewa Indians of Colborne and the Lieutenant-Governor of Canada, asking for the services of an interpreter for religious instruction.
On July 25, 2009, the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort along with, Teutul Sr. will unveil the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan’s custom chopper at 2pm. This event is free and open to the public. Come check out the bike unveil and show your support for a job well done!
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