MADISON, Wis. — It’s been a challenging first couple of days to be on the water in Dane County, but the people canoeing into a park Tuesday afternoon know their voyage is an important one.
After beginning their five-day journey in traditional carved vessels on Lake Mendota Monday, Ho-Chunk Nation tribal leaders and children arrived at Lunney Lake Farm Park on Lake Waubesa Tuesday afternoon.
The journey aims to teach the youth not only about their ancestry and history but about themselves.
Dane County Executive Joe Parisi said their journey helps remind us in 2022 there’s a rich native culture and history to respect.
“We’re so honored for the partnerships that we have, the partnerships that we will have moving forward to acknowledge Ho-Chunk ancestry and history with our work together through the parks, through education, through making sure that people know the history of this land and the history of the people on this land,” Parisi said.
The dugout canoe being used on the trip is from a cottonwood tree harvested at Lake Farm Park.
The paddle ends Friday on the Rock River in Beloit.
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