Menominees enjoy Sturgeon Feast

KESHENA — The Menominee Tribe celebrated a spring tradition and honored a group of elders Saturday during its annual Sturgeon Feast events.

The day began with a sacred Water Walk, to celebrate the return of the sturgeon and to promote awareness of water resources on the reservation.

The walk also honored Ingrid Washinawatok El Issa, an activist who worked on behalf of indigenous peoples. She was killed 10 years ago in Colombia, where she had been to set up a school to protect the language and culture of that area. At the time of her death she had been working on a Menominee language project with the tribe’s Historic Preservation Office. Ben Grignon performed a flute song at Keshena Falls Saturday morning that he had composed in her memory. Her son Maehkiwkasic received a portrait of her standing by the Wolf River.

They also honored Monolito Caldwell Rodriguez, a young man who had participated in the Novitiate takeover with his mother Oralann Caldwell in 1975. He died in an accident a short time later. His mother was given a picture of him at the Novitiate and Ron Corn Jr., Joey Awonohopay and Mawawceseniyah sang a warrior honor song.

Despite wet weather, about 200 people attended the walk, said Rebecca Alegria, one of the event coordinators.

In the afternoon, a pow-wow was held at Menominee Indian High School. The event included a ceremony honoring elders who are first speakers of the Menominee language.

“They have given part of their life and gone beyond the ordinary means to protect the language, culture and history of the great Menominee Nation. Above all they represent the Menominee people in respect, dignity and honor,” according to the program handed out at the event.

Those honored were: Joseph “Nipanihta” Gomeyosh, Lawrence “Ahtaehemen” Tomow, Marie “Manih” Warrington-Floring, Cynthia “Nepew” Winneshiek-Gauthier, Stella “Pitanaweh” Nahwahquaw-Big Fire, Elizabeth “Keyasen” Pickiewew-Corn, Flora “Menaeqtakwaew” Barnes-Munoz and (posthumously) Lavina “Sawanukiw” Nahwahquaw-Shawano.

Tribal members made a long line in the gym to personally thank these elders who were seated in the front of the room.

Among those in that line was Mavis Neconish of Chicago, whose father Ernest was a native speaker and taught her.

“I’m glad to be here to honor our elders,” said Neconish, who attends the feast each year.

She said she was pleased to see young people such as Ron Corn Jr. continuing the language. Corn had said a prayer in Menominee at the start of the ceremony.

“It made me feel happy that young people are still doing it,” Neconish said.

Warrington-Floring, one of the elders honored, said she was born and raised on the reservation.

“I was brought up with my grandpa who taught me the language,” said Warrington-Floring, 82, who herself has taught the language.

“We honor them because they kept the language alive for us,” tribal chairwoman Lisa Waukau said.

The purpose of the feast for the tribe has been celebrating the return of the sturgeon after a long winter and being able to replenish their food supply. The head male and female dancers were Bill Waubanascum and Gail Nahwahquaw and host drum was Spirit Bear Singers.

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Menominees enjoy Sturgeon Feast

KESHENA — The Menominee Tribe celebrated a spring tradition and honored a group of elders Saturday during its annual Sturgeon Feast events.

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