Picture of Doty Park

There are two similar pictures of a beautiful willow tree in Doty Park which is near the spot where Jonathan Carver met GOM.  In his records, thanks to the Wisconsin Historical Society, he wrote that he traveled along the Fox River until he came to a rather large Winnebago (Ho-Chunk present day) village on an island.  He spent 5 days in the village and wanted safe travel through Winnebago lands.  He described GOM as a "queen" and had several young ladies attending her.  He also said that she "sat in council" with the men and it is through his writings that GOM received her designation as "the first and last female chief of the Winnebago people.

Picture from Doty Island

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This is a picture of the north side of Doty Island.   It was taken in Doty Park which is located on the southern part of the island.  You can see Lake Winnebago and the City of Appleton, Wisconsin in the distance.

Jonathan Carver traveled north of the island on Lake Winnebago and traveled along the Fox River until he came to the southern part of the island, now Doty Park.  This is where he met GOM.

More pictures to come!

Dr. Jan Vansina, Doty Island, and the archives at WHS

An amazing trip!  I saw the spot where Jean Nicolet first met the Ho-Chunk on the northern part of island now Menasha.  There was a stone monument which marked the spot where Jean Nicolet met them.  It was given to the city by the Women of Menasha in 1902.  I stood on the spot where Jonathan Carver met Glory of the Morning where the Fox River meets Lake Winnebago.  The feelings are indescribable, very humbling.  I spent 3 days in the WHS archive room pouring over old documents hoping to retrieve information relative to my thesis.  They staff were very, very helpful.  I actually touched Dr. Kellogg's old notes and saw the original manuscript of The French Regime.  Inspiring to say the least.  I also held the ledger that recorded the first annuity payments made to the Ho-Chunk or then Winnebago Indians.  It was very touching to see my ancestors listed.  Lastly, I met with Dr. Jan Vansina, Prof. Emeritus, Department of History, UW-Madison.  We met in the History Emeritus staff suite.  Not so glamorous accommodations, but the company was awesome.  We met for over an hour and he gave me wonderful insights for my thesis, my model of generational oral tradition transmission and said, "You are on the right path in your research."  Oooh, now that was so good to hear!

The trip was made all the more special because my best and dearest friend went with me and acted as my "gopher" - my husband Paulo.

Pictures to come soon.

A splendid trip

I am planning a trip to Wisconsin next week.  First stop, the Ho-Chunk Nation to visit with the tribal genealogist and tribal historian.  Also to visit with my thesis team member and take her to lunch.  Next stop Madison to see the Wisconsin Historical Society!  I have hours of work to do in this great place.  Archives here I come!  I have already been in touch with the archive people and they are ready for me.  I am anxious to learn where Louise P. Kellogg found her sources about Sabrevior DeCarrie (Decaris) and Glory of the Morning.  She doesn't list them in her articles and I can't navigate the on line archive recesses very well yet.  Very frustrating indeed!  Then it will be time for a break and I will travel up to Doty Island, present day Neenah and Menasha, to see where GOM and Sabrevior first met.  Very exciting!  I finish my trip in Wisconsin by conversing with none other than Jan Vasina, the father of oral history.  He has agreed to discuss my thesis topic and look at my model of the transmission of generational Ho-Chunk oral tradition.  It will be an amazing trip.

My last stop will be at the Shakopee Wacipi in good old Minnesota, where I hope to see family and friends, but also talk with the hereditary chief of the Minnesota Dakota about Indian Heights Park in Rochester.  I am still trying to get the park recognized as a burial site.  Nothing like putting theories into action when you are still learning about the components of the theories involved.  Brutal and harsh realities intertwined with the ideals of of high ideals.  Onward!