Ho-Chunk Nation Representatives to Serve as Honored Guests at Lakeside Wellness Event Near Madison
A free Sept. 23 afternoon at Lake Farm County Park will pair outdoor activities and health demonstrations with Ho-Chunk cultural education.
By Ama Boateng ·
Representatives of the Ho-Chunk Nation will be the honored guests and educators at a Wellness in Nature event on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 1 to 5 p.m., hosted by the Friends of Capital Spring and its event partners.
The gathering will take place at shelter 2 of William G. Lunney Lake Farm County Park, on the lakeshore. Organizers say it is built around sharing and exploring how time in nature can benefit both physical and mental well-being.
The setting carries historical weight. Madison and most of Wisconsin sit on ancestral Ho-Chunk land, and the state government forcibly removed the Ho-Chunk from their home in 1832. Today, many Ho-Chunk people are returning to those ancestral lands.
According to a press release from Friends of Capital Springs Recreation Area, attendees can choose from a wide range of activities. These include lakeshore hiking trails with educational signage, a nature observation area led by a naturalist, Ho-Chunk cultural activities and a dug-out canoe, and a family bike ride. Bikes will be available for those who need them, though participants are encouraged to bring their own. Trishaws will be offered to attendees with mobility issues.
The program also features a reading and flute-playing of The Ho-Chunk Courting Flute by Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Bill Quackenbush. Dane County Parks will offer canoeing and fishing on Lake Waubesa. SSM Health and Dean Health Plan by Medica will lead CPR demonstrations and heart health games, and there will be prairie crafts and other activities.
At 3 p.m., a picnic buffet will be served, with BBQ pork sandwiches, salads, vegetarian chili and assorted bars. The cost is $10 per adult and for those up to age 16, $5 per youth, and free for children 5 and under. Speakers during the picnic will include Dr. Roopa Shah of SSM Health Dean Medical Group, who will discuss Wellness in Nature, and Quackenbush, who will speak on Tribal Healing.
The event itself is free and open to the public. Those who want to take part in specific activities are asked to register by emailing Clare with the size of their group. A full schedule is available through the organizers, and more information about the Ho-Chunk Nation and its ancestral lands can be found on the nation's website.
Originally published by News Media House · Source: Madison365
