Descendants march on

This is a picture of Adelia and Hokie taken last summer when we went to visit GOM sites.  Dee lives in Belgium, WI.  I say Dee because Hokie passed two weeks ago.  Adelia sounds sad, but still the strong, feisty woman I know and love.  She is one of the oldest Decorah women in our tribe and family.  Adelia was Choka's niece.  Her father, Russius was Choka's brother in our way.  Not sure what kinship we are and that is my fault.  My Choka taught me what he could.  He told me all of our relatives as we traveled across WI, IL, SD and IA.  We are related to the Thunders', Greengrass', Little Soldiers', so many Decorahs' and the list goes on.  He introduced me to each relative and told me his kinship and mine, but I do not remember.  Of course there are those who will not help me learn or who will tell me how we are related, but that is okay.  I know we are related and that is all that matters now.  I will learn the kinships in time.

Adelia told me about GOM.  She told me that she was indeed the first and only female Peace Chief of the Ho-Chunk Nation that resided on Doty Island.  She felt that many tribal members were jealous of GOM's status.  She said many tribal members shun Decorah's today because of GOM.  She did not care.  She said she didn't maker herself a chief, so there!  I can assure you that Dee does not mind these naysayers, and if you cross her, she will give you a piece of her mind!  She did her own extensive research into GOM just as I did.  She followed every piece of archival information and as I did, grew up with the stories about GOM. 

Now that Hokie has passed, just as when so many of our Elders pass on, it reminds me of my gratitude for these amazing Elders.  How grateful I am for a Choka who tried to teach me the language and who my relatives were.  I wish I listened and learned more!  

I spoke with Adelia last week and it was good to hear her voice.  Her tone is sad, but one mention of GOM or our relatives and she was immediately strengthened.  She is a treasure!  We plan to meet up in Black River Falls this Memorial Day.

May Adelia be comforted in her loneliness for Hokie and her youth.