This will be an open public forum to discuss the pros and cons of U.P. statehood. The discussion will focus on the financial, social and political realities and implications of separating from the State of Michigan. To assist with the discussion there will be two panelists; State Representative Sara Cambensy of Marquette and Former State Representative David Anthony from Escanaba.  The moderator for the forum will be Daniel Truckey, Director of the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center.

State Rep. Sara Cambensy is serving her second full term representing the 109th House District, which comprises Alger, Luce and Schoolcraft counties and part of Marquette County. Rep. Cambensy previously served on the Agriculture, Local Government, and Natural Resources Committees. Before serving in the Legislature, Rep. Cambensy worked for Marquette Public Schools as the Director of Adult Education, in addition to serving as a Marquette city commissioner from 2012 to 2017. Rep. Sara Cambensy graduated with a Bachelor’s in Education and a Master’s in Public Administration from Northern Michigan University where she was awarded the Outstanding Graduate Award for the MPA Program. She has also been working toward a Ph.D. in environmental and energy policy, focusing on water quality and energy reliability issues for the Great Lakes region.

Rep. David Anthony was a Democratic member of the Michigan House of Representatives, representing part of the Upper Peninsula for four terms. He served on the following committees: Advanced Technology and Computer Development, Conservation, Environment and Recreation, Forestry & Mineral Rights, Marine Affairs and Port Development, Regulatory Affairs, Senior Citizens and Veterans Affairs. A graduate of Northern Michigan University, Anthony was the U.P. regional representative for former United States Senator Carl Levin. He was also on the board of directors of the Michigan Youth in Government program and the Delta County Habitat for Humanity.

This forum is the final program connected with the Beaumier Center’s current exhibition, “The 51st State.” “The 51st State” delves into how the Upper Peninsula became part of the State of Michigan and the various initiatives over the past 170 years to separate the Upper from the Lower Peninsula. It will begin by focusing on how the U.P. was originally the homeland of the Anishinaabek and how they were acquired by the United States. In addition, the exhibit will explore the cultural differences between the two peninsulas. Lastly, the exhibition will look at the financial and cultural realities of statehood in the 21st century.