I started singing on the drum when I returned from Vietnam. One of my most memorable times singing was at the dedication of The Highground in 1988. The Highground is a memorial park that pays tribute to veterans. Photo courtesy Gary Kmiecik They were going to dedicate the “Fragments” statue—a Vietnam veterans’ tribute—and they asked …
“It’s a place where we can go and find peace and healing.” Read More »
I am a member of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. We are part of the Ojibwe Nation. I grew up in Chicago but moved back to our reservation about twenty years ago. This is my home. Photo courtesy of Liz Perone When the Covid started in March, and people started getting …
My mom is Ojibwe and my dad is Ho-Chunk. My name is Ma’iingan, which means wolf in Ojibwe. There are lots of jokes about the Wolf girls in the family, how they’re headstrong and not really willing to back down. Subconsciously, I think I have internalized that. Photo courtesy of Ma’iingan Wolf Garvin My name …
I grew up in central Wisconsin and am a member of the Oneida Nation. We didn’t live near the Oneida reservation, but I learned Oneida teachings from my mom, grandfather, and extended Oneida family. As an Oneida, I am rooted in empathy, peace, gratitude, and taking a stand for future generations. Photo courtesy of Chris …
“I hope I’ve put good things back out into the world.” Read More »
In 2002 I had a stroke. It was odd because I didn’t even realize it was happening. A co-worker basically saved my life by noticing and taking action. We were both teachers in the Ojibwe Language program at the Lac du Flambeau Public School and I had to go on disability after the stroke. Photo …
“Everything in my life helped to make me who I am.” Read More »
I really love games because of the ability for people to interact with them. They’re not like other media where you sit down and just consume it. Games are great for learning because you have to actively engage and think about what you’re doing, which is awesome. Photo courtesy of Eleanore Falck I designed ‘Growing …
“I really love games because of the ability for people to interact with them.” Read More »
My dad lost his arm on May 13th of 1941. He was the yard foreman for the Holberg Paper Mill. They wanted to give him a watchman’s job with pushing a broom afterward, and he didn’t go for that. He did not go for that. So, once he got a settlement, he paid cash for …
When she was younger, my grandma was on our tribal council. She’d always take us around with her, to Madeline Island, to Red Cliff, all over. She’s elderly now, and when I moved in with her she wasn’t doing very well. I got worried about her sugar addiction, and about all the medications that she …
I grew up watching my grandmother use the natural medicines traditional to the Stockbridge-Munsee. My family has identified, gathered, dried, preserved, and used natural medicines for eight generations. I’m from the Stockbridge-Munsee Tribe and grew up on the reservation. I live in Gresham about fifteen miles from where I grew up. Photos courtesy of Misty …
“It’s so amazing to be able to do what I’m really meant to do.” Read More »
People assume just because I live here on the reservation that I’ve been here all my life. But I have to tell them no, I was born in Chicago, and I’m a product of the Indian Relocation Act. Photos by Megan Monday “The Indian Relocation Act was an initiative that displaced Native Americans from the …
“I am descended from people who embraced the breath of life.” Read More »
Wisconsin has 72 Counties, 190 Cities, 1,246 Towns, and 414 Villages. It takes A LOT of people–more than 70,000 Wisconsinites–to do the nitty-gritty work that keeps our communities ticking. Curtis Wayka is one of them. I was born and raised on the Menominee reservation. I’ll probably be here forever. When I was twenty-eight, I took the …
“It’s rewarding to know that I am working for the community.” Read More »
Marena won us over with her soft voice and sweet, earnest attitude. When we spoke with her, she shared her love of her culture and her experience with Title VII education. There are sovereign tribes all over this state-now-known-as-Wisconsin. We loved hearing Marena talk about her wish. Share This Post Share on facebook Share on …
