Wigwam to become weekend home

By Trisha Marczak (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Friday, June 6, 2008

The Evansville Historical Foundation is adding a new feature to its collection of traditional historical structures. This week, a traditional Anishinabe wigwam is being built on the site by a team of Native Americans from the Cass Lake area.

Morris Blanchard, who learned the trade from his father, said the opportunity to expose others in the area to Native American cultures and customs marks a positive step towards unity.

“I was honored. We all were. It’s nice to be sharing our culture,” Blanchard said. “It’s time to break that negativity.”

The wigwam is being constructed of Birch trees, Basswood trees and twine. Four Basswood trees are inserted into eight holes dug in the ground to form the curved base of the structure. Additional Basswood trees are fastened in place with twine along the side of the structures to create stability. Birchwood woven on the outside serves as the siding. Blanchard said the structure is made to last.

“This will stand as long as they want it to stand,” he said.

Annie Humphrey-Jimenez and her son, Justice, were helping Blanchard construct the wigwam. For them, it was an opportunity to learn from Blanchard first-hand and celebrate the people who first inhabited the area.

“It’s an active thing. It’s not just a demonstration; it’s hands-on,” Humphrey-Jimenez said.

Humphrey-Jimenez said she wants people in the community to learn from the exhibit and think about the significance and importance of the area’s Native American history.

“I’m here because this event is about education,” she said.

The construction of the wigwam is part of the foundation’s Many Nations One Circle summer schedule of events. The events were planned by foundation worker, Sharon Henneman, and others in the area.

“I wanted to do something to honor the Native Americans that were here prior to settlers,” Henneman said.

Along with help from friend Heather Baum, Henneman applied for a Minnesota susquicentennial grant to fund the project. As it turned out, the foundation was awarded the maximum amount of money available to them.

“They said it was one of the most important grants,” Henneman said.

This year’s events include a Native American tribal art exhibition, arts and crafts workshops, folklore hymn sing-alongs and opportunities for overnight sleep-overs in the wigwam.

Every weekend, Anishinabe storyteller and author Anne Dunn will stay in the wigwam and read stories to those interested.

The traditional Evansville 4th of July parade will also incorporate the exhibit into its theme.

For more information on Many Nations One Circle events visit the website at www.manynationsonecircle.org or call the foundation at 218-948-2010.