''Their Side of the Story: The Ho-Chunk at the Portage'' Lecture 1 of 4

The Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) nation has a long, sometimes heart-wrenching, history in this area. Despite the fact that they were here hundreds of years before the first white man even laid eyes on the portage, the Ho-Chunk are only given a supporting role in our history books. What was life like for the Ho-Chunk and other area tribes before outsiders disrupted the Native rhythms of existence? How did these original inhabitants of Wisconsin make sense of the ensuing cultural upheaval caused by the arrival of Europeans?

The Historic Indian Agency House of Portage will host a 4-part speaker series exploring the Ho-Chunk experience in this area. The series, entitled "Their Side of the Story: The Ho-Chunk at the Portage," will consist of one lecture a month from June to September. Each lecture, to be held on the last Tuesday of each month, will focus on a different aspect of Ho-Chunk history and culture.

The first installment of the series will take place Tuesday, June 29 at 6:30PM. At this time, Historian Peter Shrake will address the relationship between the United States government and the Ho-Chunk in the early 19th century, with a specific discussion of the role of Indian Agent John Kinzie (original inhabitant of the Agency House).

The museum and visitor’s center exhibits, always free to the public, will be open 5PM until the lecture begins, and guided tours of the Historic Indian Agency House itself will also be offered for a minimal fee during this time. Light refreshments will be provided for lecture guests.

Each installment of this speaker series is free and made possible by a generous grant from the Great Circle Foundation, Inc. of East Northport, New York. 

 

Click here for a flyer on this event.