Sauk County, in collaboration with the Ho-Chunk Nation,
established the first annual Indigenous People’s Day. The County recognized and promoted
contributions of Indigenous Peoples to our county, state, and nation during
various events.
“Sauk County has the honor of devoting three days to
Indigenous Peoples’ Day,” said Sauk County Board Chairman Peter Vedro.
One day was dedicated to Restoration, one to Celebration,
and one to Commemoration.
‘One Sauk, Naturally’ motto was adopted by Sauk County, its
five municipalities, and the Ho-Chunk Nation.
Chairman Vedro stated, “Our focus is protecting our natural
resources, the air we breathe, the water we drink, the Earth we walk on, and
all the aspects that support life.”
Ho-Chunk Nation District 2 Representative Kristin WhiteEagle
added, “One Sauk, Naturally was generated and initiated by Sauk County and they
reached out to the Ho-Chunk Nation. The
Ho-Chunk Nation said ‘yes, we want to be a part of this’ because it’s about the
protection of natural resources. What
better people could you reach out to and ask to partner with that than the
Indigenous Peoples of this area.”
Day of Restoration was October 14 and county residents
worked with the lands and with the arts.
The day began at Maa Wakacak (formerly known as Badger
Property) and attendees gathered seeds from the prairie. Ho-Chunk Nation Environmental Services
Program Manager Randy Poelma organized and educated the group on restoring the
prairie grass.
Then a community mural painting took place at the House of
Wellness. Ho-Chunk artist Kelly Logan
created a mural painting of a young Chief Yellow Thunder and participation from
the community and children completed the mural with painting of the flowers. The artist painted his rendition based on two
photos of an elderly Chief Yellow Thunder and included Yellow Thunder’s wife at
his side. An interpretive panel with
pictures and text describing Chief Yellow Thunder’s legacy was also on display.
Chief Yellow Thunder purchased 40 acres in the early 1800s
as a way for the Ho-Chunk people to return to Wisconsin. A memorial is located on Highway A near
Baraboo and was constructed by the Historical Society in 1909.
Next, Oak Savanna Restoration took place at White Mound
Park. Savannas are defined in terms of the openness of the tree canopy,
allowing grasses and other vegetation to grow. Prior to European settlement, the oak savannah
was one of the most common ecosystems in the Midwestern North America but
today, it is one of the rarest plant communities on Earth. A degraded oak savanna remains in White Mound
Park and participants were invited to hike the Willie Walsh Nature Trail and
prune vegetation. Sauk County Parks and
Recreations Manager Matt Stieve led the group hike.
The Willie Walsh Nature Trail winds through the oak savannah
in White Mound Park and several metal benches are available for visitors’ use. The Ho-Chunk Nation funded the trail and
benches, the Welding Class of 2016 from the Reedsburg Area High School
constructed the benches, Wisconsin Metals donated the metal, and Sauk County
Two Wheelers hauled the benches to their locations on the trail.
Day of Celebration was October 13 and was held at the Sauk
County Fairgrounds in Baraboo. Ho-Chunk
cultural arts and an interactive Friendship Dance exhibition took place. Emcee for the dance exhibition was Evan Logan
with Eric Logan drumming and singing. Pictures
displayed around the pavilion were colored by Sauk County 4th
graders who learned about Yellow Thunder and the Ho-Chunk Nation.
Breakout sessions and an Elder Food Fundraiser were offered
during the afternoon. Booths providing
information on Yellow Thunder, LEAF, Ho-Chunk basket making, Man Mound, Bead
art and Ho-Chunk Nation Museum, Native American Veterans display, Lacrosse
clinics, and meet the Ho-Chunk Nation President Marlon WhiteEagle were on hand.
Day of Commemoration was October 14 and took place at the
Sauk County Courthouse. Prayer opened
the ceremony and speeches from various dignitaries were given. Drummers rendered a flag and a veteran song.
“For the first time in Sauk County’s history, the flag of
the Ho-Chunk people will be installed in the Chambers at the Sauk County Board
of Supervisors to remind us all that this is not an event but this is for the
future,” explained Chairman Vedro.
Representative WhiteEagle declared, “We want these to
continue throughout the year. We want
more than one day acknowledging Indigenous People because we are here every
single day. We’re here. We’re living.
We still exhibit our culture and we’re still trying to continue our
traditions.”