Category: Mohican

Details By Kaili Berg August 22, 2024

NATIVE VOTE 2024. On a rainy Thursday on August 15, Wisconsin Native Vote hosted a tailgate at American Family Field in Milwaukee, aiming to increase voter registration and turnout among Native communities for the upcoming November election.

 

As Major League Baseball teams Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Dodgers prepared to face off, the tailgate featured a color guard, a performance by the Smokey Town drum group, and speeches from prominent Native leaders, including Mark Denning (Oneida), Anne Eagan-Waukau (Menominee), and Shannon Holsey (Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican). 

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The event also marked the first collaboration of its kind with the Milwaukee Brewers, who generously provided 1,000 game tickets to be distributed among Wisconsin’s tribal nations. 

Holsey, president of the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Nation, shared the story of Louis Leroy, a member of her tribe who played for the Boston Red Sox in the early 1900s, but was denied the right to vote in U.S. elections because he was Indigenous. 

“We have a powerful voice,” Holsey said at the event. “When we stand together, we can influence decisions that impact our people, our land, and our future. Voting is one of the most important ways to make our voices heard.”

Leroy’s story served as a reminder of the relatively recent history of Native voting rights. Indigenous peoples were not granted U.S. citizenship until 1924, and it took even longer for many to gain full access to the ballot. 

Holsey also stated that Native military veterans, who have served at higher rates than any other group of Americans, played a critical role in securing these rights. She reminded the…

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Staff from your Monroe County Public Library recommend some of their favorites from the collection.

WHAT: The Last of the Mohicans (1992)

WHY: It seemed a little odd when Michael Mann, best known as director of contemporary crime shows and movies — and executive producer of “Miami Vice” — delved into costume drama. Even odder was Serious Method Actor and Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis taking the role of Hawkeye, the character also known as Natty Bumppo in the source material, an 1826 novel by James Fenimore Cooper (here he goes by the much cooler Nathaniel). The plot is altered quite a bit from the novel, which is just fine by all accounts of anyone who has managed to read the thing. Mostly this is a gorgeous — like all Mann films — drama with nonstop action and just the right amount of romance, set around the siege of Fort William Henry during the French and Indian War. North Carolina stands in for the Adirondacks, but the setting is so beautiful you don’t stop to think about the implausibility of running on a mountain trail while shooting two long rifles at once, or how a canoe chase over waterfalls would work.

WHERE: This film is available from the library as a DVD and Blu-Ray.

HOW: You can browse and request DVDs online by logging in to your account at keyslibraries.org. To view our collection of streaming movies and TV, go to kanopy.com/keyslibraries and set up an account with your library card. If you don’t have a card, you can visit your local branch or register online to get one. Questions? info@keyslibraries.org.

RECOMMENDED BY: Nancy Klingener, community affairs manager.See previous…

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Fort to Reenact the Perilous Events of “The Last of the Mohicans” [] { //console.log(‘[Osano] Initialized’); // Get the user’s jurisdiction const jurisdiction = window.Osano.cm.jurisdiction; // Check the jurisdiction and take action if (jurisdiction && jurisdiction.startsWith(“us-“)) { //console.log(‘[Osano] User is outside the EU. Hiding dialog, Do Not Sell, and Widget…’); Osano.cm.hideDialog(); Osano.cm.hideDoNotSell(); const osanoWidget = document.getElementsByClassName(“osano-cm-widget”); osanoWidget && osanoWidget[0] && (osanoWidget[0].style.display = “none”); } }); let osanoSaved = 0;//prevent refresh on load because: If the consent has been saved already, the callback will be called immediately. Osano.cm.addEventListener(“osano-cm-consent-saved”, (save) => { //console.log(“Osano Saved: ” + osanoSaved); if( osanoSaved > 0 ){ //console.log( “Save Toggled: “, JSON.stringify( save ) ); window.location.reload(); } osanoSaved++; }); ]]> =0&&r<600?"Overnight":r>=600&&r<1e3?"Morning Drive":r>=1e3&&r<1500?"Midday":r>=1500&&r<1900?"Afternoon Drive":r>=1900&&r<2400?"Evening":void 0}(new Date);carbonInitDataLayer.userAgent = navigator.userAgent; w.dataLayer = w.dataLayer || []; w.dataLayer.push( carbonInitDataLayer ); w.dataLayer.push({event: "page_view", viewType: "standard"}); })(window);]]> { window.fbLoaded = () => { (window.FB && !window.FB.__buffer) && (()=>{window.FB.__buffer=true;})(); }; })(document, “script”, “ig-shit”);]]> Continue reading

As a voter registration effort aimed at Native Americans continues in Wisconsin, tribal members are talking about some of the issues they hope candidates will address this fall. And, about some of the ongoing barriers to voting.

A couple hundred Native people from around Wisconsin attended a tailgate party ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers game on Thursday. The nonpartisan group, Wisconsin Native Vote, sponsored the event, saying it wanted to do something fun to promote its ongoing get out the vote effort.

The Menominee Nation’s Smokey Town drum and singing group performed at the party.

The Smokey Town drum and singing group (center) prepares to perform at Thursday’s tailgate party.

Also on hand was Shannon Holsey, who is president of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indian and chair of the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council. Holsey said the tribes have had an interesting and complex relationship with the U.S. government, and she hopes candidates for federal office this fall will address some key issues.

“There are things —from being able to provide our citizens with affordable health care, access to good education, making sure we have stewarding of Mother Earth and making sure that those systematic barriers that exist with our federal government , we continue with tribal nations, as sovereigns, we continue to envelop those relationships and build those relationships,” Holsey told WUWM.

Shannon Holsey, president of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians, speaks during the tailgate.

Clean water is a key issue for a member of the Bad River Band of Ojibwe, Gloria Waabigwan-Wiggins. She also hopes to hear…

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ASHLAND – June and July are active months for citizen science projects.

Check out what the Greater Mohican Audubon Society has been up to this summer.

Purple Martin Houses

Have you seen the white gourds at Byers Woods and Tom Kruse Park? These are Purple Martin houses.

America’s largest swallow species, the martins depend on artificial houses to nest. You can help Purple Martins by building or sponsoring houses near wetlands.

It may take a few years for birds to colonize a new house, but they will return every year once established.

The Greater Mohican Audubon Society maintains two nest towers at Byers Woods Park, where more than 100 birds fledged this year.

Don’t have a wetland or pond nearby? You can still help cavity-nesting birds like bluebirds, house wrens, and tree swallows by setting up and maintaining bluebird boxes.

Bobolinks & Butterfly Festival

Seventy people attended the festival at the end of June, despite the extreme heat. Plenty of birds and butterflies were on display, including 14 Bobolinks.

Participants were able to learn about the many unique habitats and wildlife throughout the park.

Many had an opportunity to see a Bobolink for the first time and win prizes like binoculars, field guides, and bird-themed toys.

“I love seeing all the new families and new bird enthusiasts come to the festival to see the Bobolinks,” said GMAS treasurer Adrienne Krizan.

The festival also introduced a very popular self-guided nature tour this year that highlighted the park’s many natural features.

“We are also celebrating Ashland County for having had the foresight to take a closed landfill and make it an attraction to humans and wildlife,” said GMAS secretary, Louise Fleming-Dufala.

North American Butterfly Count

It’s not just about birds! GMAS also volunteers for the North…

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When the summer heat kicks in, there’s nothing quite like spending a day floating down the Mohican River in Ohio. This scenic waterway offers the perfect backdrop for a fun-filled adventure, whether you’re tubing, kayaking, or canoeing.

Let’s dive into what makes the Mohican River a must-visit destination and how you can plan the perfect day out on the water!

Why the Mohican River is a Must-Visit

via Facebook

The Mohican River, located in north-central Ohio, stretches over 40 miles and is renowned for its natural beauty and tranquil waters. Designated as a “scenic” river by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, it’s a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

The river’s gentle flow makes it ideal for a variety of activities, ensuring that everyone from families to solo adventurers can enjoy a day on the water.

Mohican Adventures: Your Starting Point

If you’re ready to explore the Mohican River, Mohican Adventures in Loudonville is your go-to guide. They offer everything you need for a day on the water, including rentals for tubes, kayaks, canoes, and rafts.

Their trips range from a quick 3-mile float to a more extended 7-mile journey, catering to different preferences and schedules.

3-Mile Trip: Perfect for families or those short on time, this trip takes about 1-2 hours in a canoe or kayak, 2-3 hours in a raft, and 2-4 hours in a tube. It’s a leisurely float that lets you soak in the scenery without committing to a full day.

7-Mile Trip: For those looking for a longer adventure, the 7-mile trip is a fantastic option. This journey typically takes about 2-3 hours in a canoe or kayak, 4-5 hours in a raft, and 5-6 hours in a tube. You’ll…

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After Pennsylvania, I found myself in a bit of a writing slump. My focus had been redirected toward keeping my body intact and moving forward. The little energy I had remaining was sapped away by the mid-Atlantic heatwave. Instead of writing this post day by day, as I usually do, I’m writing a recap of New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut all at once to the best of my memory, which, according to Hotdog is pretty good.

 

New Jersey 

The mild mental breakdown I had at the start of New Jersey the day before continued onto the following morning. I found myself angrily swinging my poles at the ground like an axe only a few miles into an otherwise beautiful morning. I sat atop Racoon Ridge looking out at the Delaware River as I called my partner Chey, knowing she would help put me at ease. She told me I should take a break, and Hotdog echoed the sentiment. I was extremely frustrated. Mentally I wanted to keep on going, but my foot was advising me otherwise. I swallowed my pride and then me and Hotdog agreed to walk a few miles up to the Mohican Outdoor Center and take a Nero and a full zero the next day.

 

 

Rest at the Mohican Outdoor Center 

The Mohican Outdoor Center is a nice lakeside spot run by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) and has tent sites as well as bunk accommodations. We opted for a pair of tent sites to save money. The AMC seemed to be making efforts to make the center more attractive to hikers passing by. We enjoyed the cozy atmosphere within their 24/7 lodge equipped with a fireplace and wood walls. We enjoyed talking to one of the caretakers, Johnny Dolla, an older man with…

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To the editor:

Patrick White has been a tremendous friend to the Mohican people.

We first worked with Patrick to gain local support for the return of found documents from the 18th century that were discovered in Stockbridge’s Old Town Hall. He built support both locally and with the State House delegation, which culminated in a law signed by then-Gov. Charlie Baker.

I then worked with Patrick on the historic opportunity to secure 351 acres of Monument Mountain for the Tribe. Patrick privately counseled me to not settle for limited access to state-owned property, but instead to pursue the ultimately successful course of action to acquire the land on behalf of the Mohican people. Finally, after two centuries, we will once again steward land in western Massachusetts. We are grateful to the many folks in the Berkshires who helped us. Patrick was one of them.

He conceived of the Stockbridge Mohican Commission, which has been approved by both the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans’ Tribal Council and the Stockbridge Select Board. He successfully advocated for new signage at Housatonic River crossings, signs that celebrate the Mohican language and include a reference to the Tribe. He is now working with our Tribal Liaison to explore the creation of a new Mohican Cultural Center in the Berkshires.

American history has been brutal to indigenous tribes. Proud patriots, Stockbridge Mohicans volunteered together 250 years ago for the Revolutionary Army, and many of them died together at a battle in southern New York. The ensuing poverty and opportunistic greed of a few resulted in our departure from Stockbridge in the early 1800s. After our own trail of tears, we eventually settled in Wisconsin, but the home of our ancestors spans the Hudson and Housatonic valleys.

Patrick has shown he understands that the hard work of…

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By Dan Armitage, outdoor writer

Joining another of my favorite Buckeye State conservation programs, Dover Intermediate School in Cuyahoga County was recently dedicated as a WILD School Site, according to the Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODOW). Wild School sites are supplementary education programs created by schools where students, teachers, and the community can come together and learn about wildlife and the environment. Dover Intermediate School is the 208th WILD School Site in Ohio and the 10th in Cuyahoga County.

Dover Intermediate School boasts an extensive native plant garden that doubles as a dynamic land lab. Students and educators engage in projects aimed to foster environmental stewardship and hands-on learning, including vegetable composting, bird baths, and native flower cultivation. An on-site pond allows students to learn about aquatic ecosystems. These habitats support amphibians, birds, insects, reptiles, and small mammals, providing firsthand insight to the balance of ecosystems.

Teachers use the native garden and pond as a focal point for learning, integrating core subjects such as math, science, social studies, art, and music into an outdoor curriculum. Through outdoor exploration, students witness everyday subjects come to life, fostering creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills while nurturing their physical and mental well-being. 

The WILD School Sites program, administered by the ODOW, is considered an action extension of the national Project WILD program. Any educational property used by students, educators, and the local community as a place to learn about and benefit from wildlife and the environment can be certified. The sites function within the premise that every site, regardless of size and location, can provide outdoor educational opportunities that can and should be part of an integrated environmental education program. WILD School Sites that demonstrate program development and site enhancement consistent with the premises outlined in this program are eligible for certification as an official…

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