Colonial Greed Resurfaces in DMC

Ever amazed at the limited view Europeans and Colonialists have regarding American Indians.  I met with the new Director of the HCOC yesterday and it was pathetic.  We have $10K to develop a new exhibit that would feature the Dakota and Ho-Chunk peoples.  Mind you this is just the preliminary stage.  We have a great possibility of procuring even more money for the exhibit itself.

Space, space, space.  DMC, DMC, DMC.  For those who don't know Rochester-ese, DMC = Destination Medical Center.  The new Director of the HCOC would rather tell the story of some Indian killer who was run out of town in Wisconsin, who landed in Rochester and strapped a log to his back and made the first street in the colonial town.  Whereas, we, the Dakota and Ho-Chunk, would like to tell the story about the trade route that existed from where the sacred pipestone is located, that travels through Indian Heights Park in Rochester, that continues to Jackson County, Wisconsin where the only known source of a particular stone is located that was used by our ancient ancestors to make tools out of that are similar to the tools found in the Schumann Cache housed in HCOC.  Perhaps both stories can co-exit at the HCOC, but only one story bespeaks of Rochester's continued importance on the history continuum.

It was my research into the life of GOM that led me to become knowledgeable about my people and the history of both the Dakota and Ho-Chunk peoples.  These are my grandparents people.  It is at times ironic to possess the limited knowledge that I do have, be able to back that up with funds and not have a place to share this knowledge of our ancestors.  

Of a truth, I think DMC has tainted the minds and hearts of these Europeans.  They have become befuddled by greed once again.  Their eyes have become filled with themselves and their hoped for gain that they can not see the value in the missing narratives of the peoples that will soon outnumber them in just a few short years. 

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.