Sauk County is proud to work in collaboration with the Ho-Chunk Nation in establishing the first annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day. As the descendants of the original inhabitants of this land, Indigenous People, particularly members of the Ho-Chunk Nation, remain on their ancestral homelands and have a special place among the varied cultures and beliefs of the residents of Sauk County.
Sauk County seeks to recognize and promote the enormous contributions of Indigenous Peoples to our County, State, and Nation. Three days of events are scheduled for October 12 – 14. Programs include:
Day of Restoration, October 12 – Healing our Mother Earth and ourselves through hands-on activities. Events such as prairie restoration and mural painting will be taking place around Sauk County: White Mound Park, Yellow Thunder Memorial, and Maa Wakacak (Formerly known as Badger Army Ammunition Plant).
Day of Celebration, October 13 – Experience the culture and traditions of the Ho-Chunk Nation and other Indigenous Peoples at the Sauk County Fairgrounds in Baraboo. Highlights include basket weaving, traditional food and a lacrosse showcase featuring clinics and an exhibition game.
Day of Commemoration, October 14 – The festivities will culminate on October 14th with a flag ceremony at the Sauk County Courthouse. The event will be live-streamed and will include a reading of the Sauk County Resolution establishing the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Saturday Oct 12, 2019 Monday Oct 14, 2019
Saturday, October 12 - Day of Restoration
Multiple Locations 9:00 - 4:00
Prairie Restoration - Badger Property (Maa Wakacak) 9:00 - 12:00
Community Mural Painting - Yellow Thunder Park 11:00 - 2:00
Oak Savanna Restoration - White Mound Park 2:00 - 4:00
Sunday, October 13 - Day of Celebration
Sauk County Fairgrounds 10:30 - 5:00
Ho-Chunk Color Guard cultural arts presentation and Interactive Friendship Dance 10:30 - 11:30
Sauk County 4th grade art exhibition
Break out sessions 11:30 - 5:00
Food fundraiser Lacrosse clinics and exhibition games
Meet the Ho-Chunk Nation President Marlon WhiteEagle Yellow Thunder information
LEAF/hands-on children's art activity Indigenous food demonstration
Ho-Chunk basket demonstration Man Mound information
Bead art demonstration and Ho-Chunk Nation Museum exhibit One Sauk, Naturally
Interactive Moccasin Game demonstration Native American Veterans display
Monday, October 14 - Day of Commemoration
Sauk County Courthouse 10:00
Opening Statement
Flag Ceremony
Reading of the Sauk County resolution identifying Indigenous Peoples’ Day by Kristin WhiteEagle
Remarks from Peter Vedro, Sauk County Board Chair
Remarks from Kristin WhiteEagle, Ho-Chunk Nation Legislature
Closing Statement