The Ho-Chunk are known as the "People of the Big Voice". The Ho-Chunk language is the mother tongue for the Sioux and other Plains Indian languages.
We took Flat Matthew to the Kilbourn Library to see the display honoring Chief Silver Tongue, who sang at the Stand Rock Indian Ceremonial for many years. The ceremonial celebrated the traditional dances of the Ho-Chunk.
The Ho-Chunk have a long history at Wisconsin Dells. The river was a gathering place for the Ho-Chunk, who came to participate in sacred ceremonies.
When Europeans came to the area in the 1830's, the Ho-Chunk were removed to South Dakota and Nebraska. Later, the Ho-Chunk began to return to Wisconsin.The earliest Ho-Chunk to return to Wisconsin settled in Black River Falls. The Ho-Chunk opened a school and bought land for hunting and farming in the area.
Later, the Ho-Chunk returned to Wisconsin Dells.
Chief Yellow Thunder was the first Ho-Chunk to return to the Wisconsin Dells.
Chief Yellow Thunder bought 40 acres of land just south of the city. He lived on the land until he was a very old man.
Other Ho-Chunk families also returned to Wisconsin Dells, following Chief Yellow Thunder.
Flat Matthew visited the land bought by Chief Yellow Thunder. The Sauk County Historical Society put up a monument to Chief Yellow Thunder many years ago. Today the land is owned by the Ho-Chunk nation.
Many Ho-Chunk -- the Funmakers, the Dekorahs, the Lonetrees, the Thunderclouds and many other families -- now live in the Dells area.
The Ho-Chunk opened the "House of Wellness" not far from Chief Yellow Thunder's land. The center has a gym and swimming pool, exercise rooms, medical and dental clinics, and rooms for meetings.
Flat Matthew visited the House of Wellness, but it was dark and we did not take a picture. He watched a basketball game, and looked at the swimming pool.
Flat Matthew did not have his swimming trunks, so he did not go swimming. Do you think Flat Matthew should have gone swimming?
Tom
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