A Wisconsin Native American Retreat

Ancestry is an important part of all of our lives. Tracing family roots not only provides ethnic background but a deeper understanding of the challenges our forefather’s faced in society. Information such as predisposition to different medical conditions can be attained aiding in making better lifestyle choices. To learn our family history can be most beneficial in feeling complete as a human being. Connecting the lineal dots we feel whole knowing exactly where we came from.

My background is mostly European. I was born in the United Kingdom to an English mother and American father on a U.S. military base which makes me a duo citizen. From the age of three I grew up in my father’s home state of Massachusetts in a town called Hinsdale... With the last name of Greb our family has very strong Germanic roots but we also have Native American lineage. My father’s great grandmother was from the Mohican tribe. This makes my grandfather ¼ Mohican, my dad 1/8th and when it comes down to me my percentage is 1/16th; pretty much a trace amount. My grandfather and my uncle are the only ones who exhibited the typical physical characteristics with brown skin, black hair and high cheek bones. My grandfather always had a strong presence with his love for nature and animals. He farmed, worked for the town and was even a tree warden.

Mohican or Mahican is a tribe whose name means “from the waters that are never still.” They originally lived primarily along the banks of the Hudson River in what is now modern day New York. Warfare and disease pushed the tribe out with many resettling in Stockbridge Massachusetts where they were renamed the Stockbridge Indians. During the 1820’s most Stockbridge Indians migrated to settle in central eastern Wisconsin with the Munsee tribe. Living along the eastern shore of Lake Winnebago and in Shawano County, the united tribes are now called the Stockbridge- Munsee.

My dream has always been to learn more about the Native American part of my heritage. Even though according to some of my research my percentage is too low to be considered Native (some documents note a requirement of at least 22%) I am fascinated by the culture and history. I have a compelling need to understand the type of lives my ancestors lived and want to learn hands on. The perfect solo trip for me will be visiting a Native American reservation and my investigating takes me to the state of Wisconsin.

Wisconsin is home to 11 federally recognized Native American nations which is more than any other state east of the Mississippi River. Each tribe is an independent nation abiding its own constitution. While there are some similarities among tribes, each has its own traditional practices, art forms, stories and language dialects. The NATOW (Native American Tourism of Wisconsin) is a group formed in 1994 to promote tourism featuring Native American culture and heritage. Representatives from each tribe meet to share stories and discuss their economies while strategizing tourism tactics. I utilized their official site in planning my future solo adventure in Wisconsin. I did learn that all visitors are welcome to explore reservations here.

Travel Itinerary: 3 Nations in 7 days

My plan is to visit 3 reservations over the course of one week. I will begin with the Stockbridge- Munsee tribe then move on to Menominee Reservation and Oneida Nation respectively. My focus is on learning more about the Mohican tribe but I am interested in seeing the differences between each nation while enjoying my 7 day retreat away from my little bubble of a world. I have a very specific list of things I wish to see and accomplish while acquiring knowledge about a life which is completely foreign to me.

1) Storytelling. I have read plenty of history about the Mohican Indians but nothing can compare to the stories that are told and passed down generation to generation. I look forward to speaking with tribal elders and hearing first account details not only about their day to day lives, but history as told from their perspective. The detail and emotion is something that no history book or other reference material can portray.

2) Research. The Arvid E. Museum is a historical library and museum which holds the official records of the Stockbridge- Munsee Band. Within the research library are books, scrapbooks, hand written letters as well as video tapes, manuscripts, photos and more available for use while on the Stockbridge-Munsee reservation. I want to do some digging and possibly find some of the missing links to my Native forefathers.

3) Arts and crafts. Visiting the gifts shops is on the to do list but learning first hand crafts like beading, basketry and pottery will give me a deeper appreciation of the culture. I hope to take some classes and make a piece or two to take home with me as valued keepsakes.

4) Buffalo viewing. The Oneida Nation has an observation deck where visitors can stand and view the buffalo roam on safe grounds. The once near extinct species is now on the near endangered list. I am a bit perplexed between Buffalo and Bison, however, and many people use the terms interchangeably. They are both bovid meaning members of the cattle family but to my knowledge no Buffalos have ever lived in North America making the correct term Bison. This will be on my questions list but either way what a beautiful sight it will be to see this majestic animal walk the land.

5) Food. No great trip can be complete without sampling new treats and sitting down to a hearty meal. The Oneida Nation “people of the standing stone” is known for their apple orchard and market reeling season’s fruits and vegetables. The market is home to native and local food featuring a unique natural health approach. Wild rice, honey, herbal teas in addition to grass fed bison and beef, bulk herb, teas and natural health remedies are among items within the market.

6) Sightseeing/Hiking. The Menominee Indian Reservation, sitting on over 200, 00 acres of land, is said to have one of the most ecological forests in the world.. Menominee means “The Wild Rice People” and they are the only present-day tribe whose origin story signifies they have always lived in Wisconsin. Hiking the trails and rafting down the Wolf River all while taking in the breathtaking scenery will be my mid-week part of the trip.

7) Attend a Powwow. Music is a huge part of any culture and attending a Powwow seems like an ideal way to round out my trip. Singing and dancing, Native Americans proudly display traditional attire. The purpose is to honor the traditions of their ancestors while preserving the culture. To be a part of the energy of different tribes coming together in the community to celebrate customs seems like a beautiful way to honor my great great grandmother.

When I look back at my itinerary I feel positive about my future solo journey. I have been researching my family tree along with a couple of other family members over the past 5 years. My focus on ancestry has taken on more importance over the last year. The year 2020 has devastated many lives and is a reminder that life here on earth is simply just too short. The motivation behind my journey is to learn more about a part of my family history that seems near lost. The relatives who hold the most relevant knowledge have passed on and I do not wish for the connection to our past to just die out. One of my favorite Indian sayings speaks about a native being more than just about blood which keeps me inspired, knowing I am moving in the right direction.

“Being Indian is an attitude, a state of mind, a way of being in harmony with all things and all beings. It is allowing the heart to be the distributor of energy on this planet; to allow feelings and sensitivities to determine where energy goes; bringing aliveness up from the Earth and from the Sky, putting it in and giving it out from the heart.” – Brooke Medicine Eagle

Fun fact: Did you know?

1) The Mohicans and the Mohegans are 2 different tribes. Although they sound similar, the Mohicans lived along the banks of the Hudson River. There are a few communities of Mohicans living in Massachusetts and New York today but most have settled in Wisconsin. The Mohegans lived in Southern New England; particularly Connecticut, Rhode Island and Long Island.