Menominee Nation The Menominee Indians are the oldest continuous residents of Wisconsin, having resided on this land for more than 10,000 years +our creation stories tell us that we had our beginning at the mouth of the Menominee River where our original five clans were created which are the Bear, Eagle (Thunderer), Moose, Wolf and Crane. The Menominee are an Algonquin speaking tribe. In ancient times, tribal members lived by hunting, fishing and gathering. The name Menominee or "O-MAEQ-NO-MIN-NI-WUK" means People of the Wild Rice. It was said that when the Menominee entered an area, the wild rice followed and when they left the wild rice passed. The Tribe- aboriginal lands included more than nine and one half million acres of land, which is now central and mid- eastern Wisconsin and part of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The present Menominee Reservation was established in 1854 in a treaty with the United States government, leaving the tribe with only 276,480 acres of land. In 1856, two townships that were ceded to the U.S. Government for the Stockbridge-Munsee Tribe further reduced the reservation. Today, because of the tribes' world famous sustained yield forest management practices, 95 percent of the 234,000 acres produces the finest old stands of hardwood, pine and hemlock located in the Great Lakes region. All forty-six of Wisconsin's timber varieties grow and are harvested on the reservation by Menominee Tribal Enterprise, Inc.; a logging and lumber mill owned and operated by the Menominee Tribe. The mill has been designated as a Wisconsin State Heritage Tourism site. Approximately 24 miles of the Wolf River, a federally designated wild river, flows through the Menominee Reservation. It is one of the last pristine rivers in the state. Whitewater rafting is one of the highlights of summer recreation. Watch as rafters challenge the Wolf River Dells and the "Rooster Tail" at Smokey Falls. While at the Wolf River Dells hike along the trail to the gorge for spectacular canyon scenery. Quench your thirst or grab a snack at one of the concession stands at either location and at Sullivan Falls. "Spirit Rock" is also located on Highway 55. A State Historical marker tells the legend of this rock and the importance it holds for the future of the Menominee Nation. Stop at Keshena Falls where historic events and signing of the 1854 treaty took place. Keshena Falls was once the ancient spawning grounds of the Sturgeon and where Menominee clans gathered for celebrations and ceremonies. Keshena Falls has been designated as a Wisconsin State Heritage Tourism site. On the Wolf River below Keshena Falls is the Menominee Logging Camp Museum. Owned and maintained by the Menominee tribe it is home to the largest and most complete logging museum in the United States. Logging history is brought to life as visitors view 20,000 artifacts housed in seven log buildings constructed like the logging camps of the late 1800's and early 1900s. Guided tours are available May 1 through October 15. The annual Menominee Nation Contest Pow wow's is held on the first weekend of August. Dancers, singers, and drums from across the country and Canada gather in the beautiful "Woodland Bowl," a natural amphitheater set among the pines. Some of the finest dance competition in Indian Country takes place right before your eyes. Enjoy traditional or contemporary foods from one of many concessions. Authentic Native American crafts can be bought from vendors at the Pow wow's as well. Admission is charged and you are encouraged to dress comfortably for this outdoor event. The Menominee Nation Casino+Bingo-Hotel complex provides the excitement of casino games and bingo at its best. Relax and stay at the Menominee Nation Hotel and enjoy fine dining at the hotel's Forest Island Restaurant. Witness some of the top ice carvers in the world create masterpieces during January at the Ice Carving Spectacular. Music fans want to miss the annual Menominee Country Music Fest the third Saturday in August. The Menominee Casino accepts bus tours throughout the year. Call the tour and travel office for package information (715) 799-3600 ext. 5685. Visit the 5- Clan Gift Shop and take a souvenir of "Menominee" home with you. For more information, visit the website for the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin: www.menominee.nsn.us and early 1900s. Guided tours are available May 1 through October 15. The annual Menominee Nation Contest Pow wow's is held on the first weekend of August. Dancers, singers, and drums from across the country and Canada gather in the beautiful "Woodland Bowl," a natural amphitheater set among the pines. Some of the finest dance competition in Indian Country takes place right before your eyes. Enjoy traditional or contemporary foods from one of many concessions. Authentic Native American crafts can be bought from vendors at the Pow wow's as well. Admission is charged and you are encouraged to dress comfortably for this outdoor event. The Menominee Nation Casino+Bingo-Hotel complex provides the excitement of casino games and bingo at its best. Relax and stay at the Menominee Nation Hotel and enjoy fine dining at the hotel's Forest Island Restaurant. Witness some of the top ice carvers in the world create masterpieces during January at the Ice Carving Spectacular. Music fans want to miss the annual Menominee Country Music Fest the third Saturday in August. The Menominee Casino accepts bus tours throughout the year. Call the tour and travel office for package information (715) 799-3600 ext. 5685. Visit the 5- Clan Gift Shop and take a souvenir of "Menominee" home with you. For more information, visit the website for the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin: www.menominee.nsn.us Did You know Facts In 1634 French Explorer Jean Nicolet visited the Menominee Nation, supposedly as the first European to do so. They met at the villages located at the mouth of the Menominee River and at La Baye (Green Bay). The Treaty of Lake Poygan was signed in 1848, arranging for the sale of 4.5 million acres of Menominee lands to the U.S. Government for annuities and 600,000 acres of land at Crow Wing Minnesota. However, under the leadership of Chief Oshkosh, 2,500 Menominee refused to go to Minnesota. In 1892 a dam was built on the Wolf River near Shawano. It stopped the annual migration of Sturgeon to their traditional spawning grounds at Keshena Falls, depriving the tribe of their hereditary food source. On June 17, 1954, the Menominee Termination Act was signed into law providing for termination of federal control of the Menominee Indian Reservation. On December 22, 1973, the Menominee Restoration Act was signed into law and restored the Menominee Tribe to full tribal status as a sovereign nation. The College of the Menominee Nation The College of the Menominee Nation (CMN) is on the southern border of the Menominee Reservation on Highway 47-55, approximately 45 miles northwest of Green Bay, Wisconsin. It is one of 35 tribal colleges in the United States, and one of two in Wisconsin. The college welcomes enrollment by both Native and non-Native students. More than five hundred students attend classes at the main campus in Keshena and at two auxiliary sites in Green Bay and Bowler, Wisconsin. In addition, two institutes were created at the College of the Menominee Nation. The Menominee Culture Institute and the Sustainable Development Institute promote Menominee culture and language and help to advance Menominee forest management practices known worldwide. A two-year core academic college program is offered for students wishing to pursue advanced degrees at a number of state and private institutions throughout Wisconsin. The College of the Menominee Nation invites you to "Come Learn With Us." For more information, visit the college website: www.menominee.edu Spirit Rock One night long ago a Menominee Indian dreamed that Maeqnapus, grandson of Ko-Ko-Mas-Say-Sa-how (the Earth) and part founder of Mitawin or Medicine Society, invited him to visit the god. With seven of his friends the Indian called on Maeqnapus who granted their request to make them successful hunters. One of the band, however, angered the god by asking for eternal life. Maeqnapus, seizing the warrior by the shoulders, thrust him into the ground and said, "You shall be a stone, thus you will be everlasting." The Menominee say at night kindly spirits come to lay offerings of tobacco at the rock and if one looks closely he can see their white veils in the trees. The legend is that when the rock finally crumbles away the race will be extinct. Attractions Menominee Logging Camp Museum 1.25 mile North of Keshena, Hwy. 47 & Cty. VV May 1 +Oct. 15; Tues. - Sat.; 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Sun. 11:00 am +4:00 pm, (715) 799-3757 Big Smokey Falls Rafting, 10 miles North of Keshena on Hwy. 55. Seasonal. Reservations appreciated. (715) 799-3359 or (715) 799-4945 Menominee Heritage Tour; 46-mile (2 hour) auto tour through the heart of the Menominee Reservation. Points of interest include Veterans Park, the Veterans War Memorial, natural water falls on the Wolf River, Spirit Rock, Menominee Tribal Enterprises and the Menominee Logging Museum. For a free tour map, call (715) 799-5217. Menominee Nation P.O. Box 910 Keshena, WI 54135 Phone: (715) 799-5114 Fax: (715) 799-3373 http://www.menominee.nsn.us Lodging Information