Niagara museum event to celebrate region’s Native American history 

Niagara museum event to celebrate region’s Native American history

Stella Hansen and her husband, Pete Lehnert, erected this 20-foot-high teepee at the Niagara Historical Museum in Niagara, Wis. (Karen Klenke photo)

NIAGARA HISTORICAL SOCIETY president Karen Klenke prepares a display for the Native American celebration to take place Saturday and Sunday at the Niagara Historical Museum in Niagara, Wis. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

Stella Hansen and her husband, Pete Lehnert, work on the erecting the 20-foot poles for the teepee at the Niagara Area Historical Museum. (Karen Klenke photo)

NIAGARA, Wis. — Native American tribes such as the Menominee, Ojibwe, Potawatomi and Ho-Chunk were among the first inhabitants of what would become Wisconsin.

The Niagara Area Historical Society will celebrate the region’s Native American history and rich culture that dates back thousands of years from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Niagara Area Historical Museum on River Street in Niagara.

“We are excited to host this interesting and very educational event,” historical society president Karen Klenke said. “To study Wisconsin, you have to go back to our Native American roots.”

Those who attend can check out a full-size teepee constructed in the museum parking lot. Pete Lehnert and his wife, Stella Hansen, used the teepee for family functions.

“It’s so great to see it out of storage and resurrected again,” Klenke said.

Children can participate in hands-on activities, including making dream catchers in the teepee. They also can sit by a campfire and listen to stories about Indian legends.

A large variety of artifacts community members have loaned to the museum will be on display, including a vast collection of projectile points.

“We are blown away and feel really blessed that we received such beautiful relics,” Klenke said.

The historical society will honor Dick Bennett, formerly of Niagara, who will serve as community elder for the festivities. Bennett, who has Stockbridge-Munsee Native American heritage, was known in the area for his storytelling.

“He will be attending the evening activities to share some stories,” Klenke said.

Local educator Walt Summers will bring his extensive Native American collection to share with the spectators, along with selling his book.

Niagara native Brian Diel and professional archeologist Seth Taft will give presentations, followed by a Potawatomi history program by Jim Zukowski.

Diel has brought some of his artifacts to the museum to be on permanent loan, Klenke noted.

Local artist Stephen Wysocki also will have his Native American work on display and for sale, Klenke said.

The historical society has created information boards on Native American history and how it shaped Wisconsin. “We learned of stories of how locals trade with the Indians on the banks of the Menominee River,” she said.

The museum will serve wild rice soup, bread and beverages for lunch.

Klenke said they also hope the Hannahville tribe will bring some type of demonstration, either a singer or drummer.

On Saturday evening, the celebration will move to the Menominee River at the end of Tyler Street in Niagara for a bonfire.

Hawk Puttonen, who has Native American heritage, will conduct a smudging ritual to bless the group and honor everyone there. A “Pass the Feather” conversation and storytelling will be led by Puttonen, Summers and Taft.

Those attending are encouraged to dress warm and bring lawn chairs and blankets.

“It’s so tranquil here — it’s going to be beautiful,” Klenke said.

The idea of the event came after Klenke visited Niagara Elementary School in the spring.

“As I was walking through the school I came upon the fourth-grade class, which was producing Native American art and history of the tribes here in Wisconsin,” she said. “I saw this and thought we should learn more.”

Klenke pitched the idea to museum members to raise awareness of the area’s Native American culture in the community. The event was developed and a program created with the help of Jim Zukowski.

The museum plans to honor those Niagara students who inspired the event, early in the program and with their artwork hung throughout the museum.

“It’s going to appeal to everyone of all ages,” Klenke said. “The children really brought us to this point.”

There is no admission charge, but donations will be accepted. The historical society will sell T-shirts and other items, including copied images of Native American prints they have collected.

The Niagara Historical Museum is at 1364 River St. in Niagara.

— 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Museum open for view of exhibits and sales;

— Noon to 1:30 p.m.: Wild rice soup lunch;

— 1:30 to 2 p.m.: Introduction of community elder Dick Bennett by Karen Klenke; followed by historical presentations Brian Diel and archeologist Seth Taft;

— 2:30 to 3 p.m.: Potawatomi history introduced by Jim Zukowski.

— Campfire, teepee, story telling and dream catcher demonstration;

— 5:30 to 7 p.m.: Bonfire along the Menominee River, including “Pass the Feather” conversation and storytelling featuring Walt Summers, Hawk Puttonen and professional archeologist Seth Taft. A smudging ritual by Puttonen will precede the event.

— 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Museum open for viewing of exhibits and sales;

— 10 to 11:30 a.m.: Wild rice soup lunch;

— Outside activities: Campfire, teepee, flute or bead making.

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