On August 27, 2002, with the sounds of bulldozers in the background, members of the Ho-Chunk Nation peacefully protested work being done at Powers Bluff County Park (Skunk Hill) near Arpin WI. Despite 70 acres of the park being placed on the National Register of Historic Places six weeks earlier, the Wood County Park and Forestry Committee went ahead with its plans to improve the nearby recreation area. The moving of the earth was the first non-routine maintenance work done at the park since the area honoring the past presence of Native Americans was placed on the National Register. Wood County Park Administrator, Ron Arendt, stated he was surprised at the reaction, noting that the county had announced its plan in July after consulting with representatives of the both the Prairie Band Potawatomi and Ho-Chunk Nations. Though a date for the work had not been established, Arendt stated "I don't know why people are surprised". He added that Bob Birmingham from the Wisconsin State Historical Society was present and did not object to the project. Birmingham, whose work led to a section of the park being placed on the National Register, stated the area being improved was in an area he deemed "non culturally significant" in that his study revealed no artifacts or gravesites in that section of the park, about 200 yards from what was the heart of a long ago Native community. He added that if the work uncovers anything significant he would order the county to cease work in the area.

Tribal member Brian Snowball stated that Wood County's action further demonstrates the "lack of respect" given Native Americans. While the earth was moving behind them, Snowball, Leon White and Representative Myrna Thompson hung an American flag upside down at the site, signifying the distress the county's action was causing Native people. Snowball stressed that "we are not trying to fight with the county but we wish they would honor our wishes". He added that those present were speaking for those buried at the site, "the people whose voices can no longer be heard". While he agreed that the county had the right to work in the area deemed "non culturally significant", Snowball believes that the county should have, at the very least, asked a tribal elder to say a prayer before beginning the work. Arendt responded that though he has learned a lot about Native American culture and tradition in the last two years, he was unaware "this was so important" and added that had he known he would have allowed a prayer at the site.

The historical significance of the site and how to plan its future has been debated for 30 months, following Wood County's announcement that it planned to remove 1500 trees at the park in early 2000. Throughout the process both Native Americans and environmentalists have accused the county of not having a plan when discussing the site's future. For example, Snowball acknowledged that while the county is working in an area outside the boundaries of the culturally significant area, the park's parking lot is within those boundaries and the county has not presented a plan regarding how they will deal with the expected added traffic the improved recreation area could bring. Arendt countered that neither the Native Americans or the other citizen's groups have presented a specific plan for the future and the county needs to do "what we think is best for all the citizens of Wood County".

Snowball concluded "that the county is placing money above the rights of Native people" but added that without a legal injunction the county is free to conduct business as usual. He feels the issue centers around mutual respect and the upside down flag, once on the casket of Horace Whitepidgeon, symbolizes the distress being suffered over not getting that respect.

The county expects the preparation work on the site to be completed within the next 10 days and plans on installing the new tow lines for the tubing hill in time for the 2002-2003 winter sports season.

One week later

At the monthly meeting of the Wood County Park and Forestry Committee, held September 4th, Rey Kitchkumme, a council member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi and Carol Brown, the tribe's attorney expressed their concerns that Wood County was not notifying those concerned with the park's future prior to working at the site, as stipulated in previous agreements. Brown added that since the Potawatomi's injunction against the county was allowed to expire in January, the county has ignored the wishes of Native Americans and other groups and proceeded with business as usual. Al Buchberger, the Chairman of the Park and Forestry Committee stated that the problem has been trying to identify who represents what groups, adding the county has developed a Long Range Plan open to the public. Park's Administrator Ron Arendt stated the county has been working with the Native American and citizen's groups for the last two years and has kept everyone up to date on the county's plans for the site. Brown responded "that its time to stop the rhetoric" pointing out, for example, that she had not been told of, or agreed to the work that was done last week.

Kitchkumme questioned why the plan does not include details regarding how the sacred sites at the park are going to be protected . Stating the Prairie Band need to be informed, he offered financial assistance to the county, money that he would like to see used to hire an independent consultant to study the site. He noted "that many good ideas have been brought to the table but no one has been able to put together a plan" and believes a consultant would help speed up the process. Though Kitchkumme also stated the Prairie Band would be willing to provide additional money "to protect our sacred sites", Wood County Committee member Don Melville stressed the county would still have the final say on how to spent any money contributed by outside sources.
Brown concluded that none of the ideas proposed by Native Americans and other groups, which were presented to the county, appear in the county's plan and like Kitchkumme believes that an independent consultant is needed.

George Garvin, Repatriation Officer for the Ho-Chunk Nation stated that the Nation, involved in the controversy from the start, also has sacred sites on the hill and would like to be included in the planning.

The next day, Kitchkumme, Garvin and Newly elected Prairie Band Chairperson, Zach Pahmahmie were scheduled to meet with Arendt reviewing the county's plan and begin the process of hiring a consultant. Details of the revised plan will discussed at the next meeting of the Park and Forestry Committee on October 2nd.