Unlikely Conductors: The Role of Indigenous People in the Underground Railroad
When: Aug. 7, 2025, 6 p.m.
Where: 60 W. Wattles Rd. Troy, Michigan 48098
Unlikely Conductors: The Role of Indigenous People in the Underground Railroad
Thursday August 7, 6-7:30pm
FREE - Donations are accepted online and at the door.
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We learn in history class that the Underground Railroad was extremely instrumental in aiding enslaved people searching for freedom. What we always don’t learn about is the role that Indigenous people, who sometimes enslaved themselves, played in helping others get to freedom. Learn about the important role that Indigenous people played in assisting others in the Underground Railroad.
This presentation will be given by Heather Bruegl, Curator of Political and Civic Engagement at The Henry Ford.
Meet the Presenter
Heather Bruegl is a citizen of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and first-line descendent Stockbridge-Munsee. She is a graduate of Madonna University in Michigan and holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in U.S. History. Her research comprises numerous topics related to American history, legacies of colonization and Indigeneity, the history of American Boarding Schools, and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (#MMIW). Heather has presented her work at academic institutions, including the University of Michigan, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Bard College, Vassar College, and Brooklyn Law School.
Heather consults for various museums and universities and is a frequent lecturer at conferences on topics ranging from intergenerational racism and trauma to the fight for clean water in the Native community. She has been invited to share her research on Indigenous history, including policy and activism, museum equity, and Land Back initiatives for such institutions as the Tate and the Brooklyn Public Library. Heather opened and spoke at the Women’s March Anniversary in Lansing, Michigan, in January 2018 and at the first-ever Indigenous Peoples March in Washington, DC, in January 2019. In 2019, 2020, and 2021, Heather spoke at the Crazy Horse Memorial and Museum in Custer, South Dakota, for its Talking Circle Series.
Heather is a doctoral student at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, where she studies First Nations Education. Her research focuses on the importance of telling the truth in history in museums and cultural institutions. Heather is also a public historian, activist, and independent consultant who works with institutions and organizations for Indigenous sovereignty and collective liberation.
What to Expect
When you arrive, please head through the gate on the side of the Main Building (the large brick building) and follow the sidewalk to the Old Troy Church to check in.
The presentation will be given in the Old Troy Church. Inside the Church are pews and standard wooden chairs to sit during the presentation. The building has a ramp entrance and accessible bathrooms inside. Assisted listening devices are available, please ask a staff member if you would like to use one.
If you have accessibility questions, please click here to visit our accessibility page or contact us at info@thvmail.org and we will be happy to help!
At the end of your program, you will exit through the same gate on the side of the Main Building.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will I be able to get around easily using my wheelchair or walker? Yes! The Village offers three accessible parking spaces in our west parking lot. All buildings have wheelchair-accessible entryways. Buildings are connected by a wide paved pathway. Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are available inside the Old Tory Church. For more information, please contact us at info@thvmail.org.
- Will food or drink be available? No, Troy Historic Village does not sell food, nor do we have water fountains. However, you are welcome to bring a bottle of water.
- Is this event held rain or shine? Yes, this event will be held rain or shine because it is held indoors. If it is raining, you may want an umbrella for the walk from the parking lot to the Old Troy Church.
- Can I bring my dog? Only service animals are allowed at the Village. We strive to make sure everyone feels safe and comfortable, so please leave your pets at home.
- Do I need to register in advance? No, but we would appreciate it!
- Will a be able to explore the rest of the Village? Maybe? This presentation takes place while we are Open Late to the public. While the presentation is free, we do ask that you purchase ticket if you would like to explore the Village before the presentation. If you are not planning to explore the rest of the Village, you do not need to purchase a ticket. Learn more about our Open Late program here.
Parking & Directions
Troy Historic Village is located at 60 W. Wattles Road, Troy MI 48098 (northwest corner of Wattles and Livernois). There are two parking lots at the Village and you can park in either one. After you park, please head through the gate on the side of the Main Building (the large brick building) and follow the sidewalk to the Old Troy Church to check in for the program. We will have green and white signs to direct your path.