She Carried Two Names: Otush Quay Ob No Qua and Sarah Ann Smith
By Michelle Allen
As I trace the roots on my husband’s side of the family, I’ve come upon a woman whose life bridged two worlds—each one etched with history, strength, and quiet endurance.
Born on July 6, 1863, in Au Gres, Michigan, she was given the name Otush Quay Ob No Qua, a full-blooded Chippewa woman whose ancestry runs deep through the land and the riverbanks of Arenac County. After the loss of both her parents—Nat WA Ke Ketoo (Nay Taw ME Ke Ge Do) and Ke Ba O Sa Qua KE BA—Sarah was adopted into the Smith family and came to be known by her American name: Sarah Ann Smith.
She lived her entire life in the heart of Au Gres, passing away on February 21, 1941. Her parents were laid to rest near the riverbank that now runs alongside Smith Street—whispers of origin that still echo through the trees and water.
Sarah married Thomas Albert Saunders in 1880 and became the matriarch of a large and enduring lineage. Together, they raised six children, one of whom would become my husband’s great-grandmother, Hazel Bell:
- Laura
- Adella (Dell)
- Thomas Clyde
- Chester Ernest
- May R
- Hazel Bell
The repetition of names, the overlapping birth years, the lives marked by early loss and resilient longevity—all of it threads into a rich tapestry of connection and survival.
What moves me most is that Sarah carried a name that belonged to the land and her people, and another that helped her navigate the world she was brought into. Her legacy reminds me that ancestry is more than records—it’s relationship. It’s honor. It’s remembering those whose stories weren’t always documented, but who shaped everything.
If you’re familiar with Sarah Ann, her family, or have stories from Au Gres that intersect with hers, I’d be honored to hear them. Her legacy—and the legacy of the Anishinaabe people she came from—deserves to be remembered not just with facts, but with reverence.
Honoring Origins: Teachings from Turtle Island and White Buffalo Circles
As I walk deeper into the legacy of Sarah Ann Otush Quay Ob No Qua Smith Saunders and the Anishinaabe roots she carried, I’ve found myself drawn to teachings that expand beyond lineage charts and into story, spirit, and land.
One such offering is the Anishinaabe Creation Story: Turtle Island, shared by Jaguar Bird and PipeKeepers.Org. This powerful retelling speaks of sacrifice, humility, and the wisdom of the natural world. It reminds us that creation is not a moment—it’s a relationship.
I’ve also discovered the beautiful work of White Buffalo Circles – at home edition, a video series created to share Traditional Indigenous knowledge through teachings passed down from Elders, knowledge carriers, and personal research. Topics include: The Seven Grandfather Teachings, The Drum, The Four Sacred Medicines, and The History of Turtle Island—each one offering perspective, healing, and truth.
These resources are shared with deep respect—not for profit, but for connection. They’ve helped me listen more closely to the stories beneath the surface of my research, and to honor the names I carry not just with facts, but with feeling.
Chi Miigwetch to all who continue to share these teachings. May they ripple outward, gently and powerfully.
🧡 Watch: The Anishinaabe Creation Story: Turtle Island – A video shared with deep respect and gratitude, meant to heal, teach, and inspire. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaxHDZptL9U&t=4s
🧡 Watch: White Buffalo Circles – A multi part video series Joel introduces the History of Turtle Island through an Indigenous lens. This video series was created to bring awareness, perspective, and understanding of a history not taught in the mainstream education system and is meant for an older audience, as it examines some harsh realities of the history on Turtle Island. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITCjMWmtgtc&list=PLw27qfTaRtJ4berahTEn81ZIm1mXVGx8O
As I learn more about my husband’s ancestor, Otush Quay Ob No Qua, and the Chippewa heritage she carried, I feel the presence of a much larger story—the enduring spirit of the Anishinaabe peoples in Michigan. Their traditions, partnerships, and sacred teachings continue to ripple outward, offering a lens through which I view not only genealogy, but land, language, and belonging. Through their resilience, stories, and stewardship, I’m reminded that this journey is not just about looking back—it’s about listening deeply, honoring forward, and walking gently alongside a living legacy.
Learn more about the Anishinaabe nations and their history: Anishinaabe on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anishinaabe
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