By Anne Thundercloud

Hocak Worak

A special reception and celebration was held to welcome more bison into the Ho-Chunk family.

Nine bison calves were brought from the Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Tribe in South Dakota adding to the existing herd of 15. The herd is located on the farm outside Muscoda.

According to Gordon Thunder, the bison "are a symbol of our brothers’ survival and our own." He added that the buffalo "are here to provide something for our tribe, something can be given to our children, and our children can be inspired by what they see."

Cecil Garvin, head of the Buffalo Project, said in 1993 the Ho-Chunk Nation linked up with the Intertribal Bison Cooperative, a coalition of 43 other tribes to return the bison to their native lands and to the native people. Garvin also said that as a tool to fight diabetes, buffalo will be incorporated into the diet of the people. Garvin said buffalo meat is a healthy alternative to other meats.

The farm at Muscoda is open to visitors. If any tribal member wishes to take their children to see the now herd of 24 bison, they are more than welcome. There are also effigy mounds located on the property, that provide an historic perspective of the ancestors of the Ho-Chunk. To get more information people should call the Ho-Chunk Historic Preservation Department.

The bison herd now located at Muscoda on was made possible by contributions from friends of the Ho-Chunk. A special celebration honoring those contributors was held in September.