Indigenous Peoples Day 2021

Indigenous Peoples Day – October 11 - 1 pm

Indigenous Peoples Day in Sauk County was held on Monday, October 11 at the historic train depot in Reedsburg. The third annual event commemorated the events of December 26 and 27, 1873 that occurred at the original wooden depot that stood on the same spot when federal troops detained Ho-Chunk people for removal to Nebraska. The effort was part of the last forced removal of Ho-Chunk from Wisconsin. Removal efforts had begun in 1840 and occurred multiple times over thirty-four years. In December of 1873, thirty-eight Ho-Chunk were captured by federal troops near Reedsburg and held at the depot. The number included ten members of Chief Aahucoga’s family.

Known in English as Blue Wing, Aahucoga was known by many Reedsburg area residents due to the proximity of his village and his interaction with many early white settlers. When news of the detention and imminent removal of Aahucoga’s family spread through Reedsburg, local residents took action and had a writ of habeas corpus issued from a court commissioner and delivered to the corporal in charge of the federal troops by a deputy sheriff. After the corporal denied the request the crowd of several hundred people physically prevented the removal of Aahucoga’s family.

The ceremonies for Indigenous Peoples Day included welcome greetings from Kristine Koenecke, director of the Reedsburg Area Chamber of Commerce, invocation by Joe White Eagle Sr., remarks by mayor of Reedsburg, Dave Estes, and Sauk County board chair, Tim McCumber. The program master of ceremonies was Lance Tallmadge, a descendant of Aahocoga. A painting by Ho-Chunk/Ojibwe artist Chris Sweet was presented to the Indigenous Students United group from Baraboo High School to commemorate their work. The presentation of the painting and a plaque was made by Kristin White Eagle, Ho-Chunk Nation legislator and Sauk County board supervisor. A permanent interpretive panel sharing the story from 1873 was unveiled by descendants of Chief Aahucoga after remarks by Paul Wolter, executive director of the Sauk County Historical Society.

A bench dedicated to the Ho-Chunk people was also unveiled. Butch Artichoker from South Dakota, a descendant of Aahucoga, made remarks for the family. Throughout the ceremony, songs were shared by the Winnebago Sons Drum Group and delicious Native cuisine was provided by Rita Gardner, Tina McArthur and Ben Cleveland. Approximately 175 people attended the event.