Sokaogon Chippewa Community News

Cultural Committee Reviving Traditional Ways

You may have noticed the many events and activities that have been hosted by the SCC Cultural Committee. Beading and Regalia workshops, seasonal camps (including the upcoming Ishpaagoonika Deep Snow Camp), the Tanning Workshop and the Northwoods Rendezvous & Wild Festival are just a few of the activities and events the Committee has been working on over the past year.

“With Cassandra as our Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO), we’ve been able to be a lot more active in coming up with new ideas for the community,” said Ryan Randall, President of the SCC Cultural Committee.

“In the past, we focused on trainings; now our biggest focus is to bring back traditional things we used to do. The Beading and Regalia workshop is an example. There are people in the community who don’t know how to bead, and that’s a traditional activity we want to be sure is shared with all generations,” explained Cassandra Graikowski , SCC’s Tribal Historic Preservation Officer.

“The Tanning Workshops haven’t been done in some time. The seasonal camps involve youth learning from other generations what we do in each season,” Ryan continued.

Members of the SCC Cultural Committee include:

  • Ryan Randall, President
  • Richard Ackley, Jr., Vice President
  • Jessica VanZile, Secretary
  • Gloria Toyebo, II
  • Robert Smith, Jr.
  • Leelyn VanZile
  • Jake McGeshick
  • Pete McGeshick, III
  • Sonya Knueppel
  • Troy Peterson

The Committee meets on the second Friday of each month. As Tribal offices are closed on Fridays, everyone volunteers their time for the meetings and at the many events that the Committee hosts or participates in. This year, the Committee is even assisting with the TRAILS Pow-Wow that will be at the end of March.

The Cultural Committee works closely with the Mole Lake Coalition, whose slogan is “Culture is Prevention”. This has been influential in planning events to be held on weekends, as it offers community members traditional, positive activities for living in a healthy way.

“We’re good listeners, and we’ve heard from the community and are trying to implement the suggestions we’ve received. Together, we’re reviving and relearning all of the things we’ve lost along the way. There are programs for children and Elders, but ages in the middle were forgotten, and we are working to have programs that include all generations,” Cassandra shared.

The Ishpaagoonika Deep Snow Camp will be held on January 31st through February 2nd. Click here to view the application.

 

A Tobacco Pouch Making workshop will be held on February 7th and February 8th, and, Beading and Regalia workshop will be held on February 21st and February 22nd. For more information on these and other events, email Ryan or email Cassandra.