In the early 1900 hundreds, a regular mode of transportation was the use of a horse and wagon, and walking to transport, goods and people. One of the elder men in our tribe Donald Blackhawk, expressed in so many words what it was like to travel by horse from Wittenberg, WI to Black River Falls, WI. It was a two-day journey, weather permitting, and not everyone would ride a horse all the time. Along the way sometimes you would have to walk. Since than, another type of horse, the Iron Horse (Trains), trucks and cars will make this same journey in considerably less time. The revitalizing of this journey may have had some eye opening experiences for some of the youth, as well as for some adults participating in the Spirit Ride.

The starting point was Prey, Wisconsin on May 24th, 2002. On a brisk beautiful morning, some individuals arrived as early as 6:30 a.m., as they unloaded their horses. Clayton Decorah was the Wagon Master of the four wagons on this journey. When the road turned into dirt it took on a totally different sense of feeling. The smooth sound of the horses clip clopping along, the young ladies in the Mater Wagon singing songs, and for the ones walking they look as though they were enjoying the solitude. For some of the young men, they looked so gallant as they road to the west. As time went on things would change, just like in the days of old, some inexperienced riders would later transfer to a wagon or would walk off a fall, and no one was seriously hurt. This is one of those lessons in life that one may learn about humility in a spilt of a second.

Through out this journey, we had three medical professionals, a Doctor and two nurses fully prepared with necessary items if there should have been a more serious disturbance. (Furthermore, there where other professionals that contributed their time and efforts, prior to the Spirit Ride as well as after this event concluded at the Blackhawk Pow-wow Grounds.) Soon it was time to feed and water the animals, as well as the people at the half waypoint from Prey, Wisconsin to the State park in Hatfield, Wisconsin. This is when some of the youth and adults would change positions from riding the horses to the wagons or walking for that matter.

As everyone got to the camp, it was time for the horses to have all their gear taken off. Some of the youth helped with watering and brushing off the horses. While the women relatives, where preparing supper some of the youth and adults were playing a game that Donald Blackhawk played when he was a young man. Two pieces of wood and one rope, the object was to see who could sling the one piece of wood the furthest, with a flick of the wrist. That evening, elder Tom Hopinkah spoke to the youth around the campfire, describing the advantages and disadvantages of what it was like for our people long ago and not so long ago. And how the Ho-Chunk Nation has made this provision for this event to take place and other events to come for the youth.

Another issue brought up, was that they could have a good life for themselves, if they abstain from alcohol and drugs, and stayed focus on their education. So that they can be productive individuals, whether they become a Doctor, Attorney, or Engineer, or whatever field they choose for their course in life.

However for some of the Spirit Riders whom began their quest, this trip may have brought to mind how and what it was like to travel in the past. As the sun broke through the clouds, and we came closer to our destination (the Pow-wow grounds), the sound of the wind dissipated and you could hear the thundering beat of the drums…