Mt. Horeb’s Driftless Historium hosts 2nd annual Native American Marketplace
The Driftless Historium History Center, part of the Mt. Horeb Area Historical Society, in collaboration with Little Eagle Arts Foundation of Wisconsin Dells, played host to the 2nd Annual Native American Marketplace last Saturday.
Held inside the center, artists displayed and sold their work that included different types of paintings, jewelry, beadwork, quillwork, and baskets.
The marketplace billed as an invitational art showcase, hosted artists Rick Decorah Osbon (Ho-Chunk), Dawn Dark Mountain (Wisconsin Oneida), Chris Sweet (Ho-Chunk), Terri L. O’Connor (Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Band), and Melanie Tallmadge Sainz (Ho-Chunk).
“It’s a wonderful venue, it’s really nice. We’ve had a steady flow of people and a nice selection of artists.”, said Oneida artist Dawn Dark Mountain.
In addition to the marketplace, the Wisconsin Dells Singers held an exhibition next to the Historium building. Ho-Chunk tribal member Elliiott Funmaker was Master of Ceremonies for Ho-Chunk dancing and singing that Funmaker referred to as a “small celebration”.
Accompanying Funmaker on the big drum was singer and Traditional dancer Kelly Logan, Traditional Applique dancer Lillian White Eagle, and Jingle dress dancer Destiny Rain Whitecloud.
Funmaker gave a brief history of the Ho-Chunk Nation including its form of government as a sovereign nation within the United States.
Having spoken to the audience about Ho-Chunk culture and Native American in general, Funmaker said “I hope that these people will be able to be more educated and look at Native people in a better light, and understand their neighbors since Natives are all over. It’s good to see these people, and hopefully they learn that we can live with each other in harmony.”
Logan added, “I always like educating people about our culture, and enjoy getting a little exercise.”, he said with a chuckle, noting it was his second year performing at the event that saw a good and responsive crowd.
New to this year’s event was a food stand held by the Madison Ho-Chunk Youth Center’s Youth Council. Serving up Indian Tacos (taco fixings on frybread) and Blanket dogs (hot dogs wrapped in frybread), were Nikki Thundercloud and Heather Hopinkah. Funds raised from sales will help support youth activities.
For more information on the Little Eagle Arts Foundation of Wisconsin Dells, the Historium and the Mt. Horeb Area Historical Society, visit http://littleeagleartsfoundation.com/ and http://www.mthorebhistory.org/
