Community members, tribal leaders, students and local officials gathered in La Crosse on October 11–12 to celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day.

     The two-day celebration spanned Riverside Park and Myrick Park and featured Ho-Chunk games, cultural demonstrations, and educational activities.

     During Monday's gathering, La Crosse Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey delivered an Indigenous Peoples' Day proclamation, marking the eighth consecutive year Wisconsin officially recognized the holiday.

     The proclamation was followed by remarks from Ho-Chunk Nation President Jon Greendeer. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers also attended the celebration.

     Greendeer spoke about the importance of preserving the Ho-Chunk language and its connection to the Nation's identity, emphasizing the longstanding presence of the Ho-Chunk people in the La Crosse area.

     "We are people that are named after our language, not the other way around," Greendeer said.

     Greendeer also reflected on the Nation's history of forced removal and the determination of Ho-Chunk ancestors to return to their homelands.

     "We have always been here, and as long as our language is here, we will always be here," Greendeer said.

     Throughout the celebration, attendees participated in traditional lacrosse and double ball tournaments, dance exhibitions, educational booths, moccasin-making, guided bus and marsh tours exploring Ho-Chunk country, and community vendors.