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The Stockbridge - Munsee Band of the Mohicans The Stockbridge- Munsee Band of Mohican Indians has adopted the "Many Trails" symbol as a representation of strength, hope and endurance representing the many moves they endured since leaving the State of New York in the 1700's Originally from the shores of the Mahicanituck (now renamed the Hudson River) this band of Mohican people moved several times, settling in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, parts of New York, stopping in Ohio and Indiana and settling three times before their final move to the StockbridgeMunsee Indian reservation in Shawano County, Wisconsin. The tribe has maintained residency in this area for over 100 years and it is their longest stay since leaving New York. The reservation consists of 46,000 acres, with over 16,000 held in trust. Their history is documented and available for further study at the Arvid E. Miller Memorial Library Museum on the reservation. You may also visit the Weatuk Village that depicts native life as it was in the homeland. A tribal elder, Edwin Martin, who originally designed it in silver jewelry, developed the Many Trails symbol. Edwin has crossed over to the spirit world, but his Many Trails will live on forever. It has been adopted and is used by tribal members as a symbol of who they are. The tribe has now begun to obtain lands in their ancient homeland, rediscover and practice traditional ways, and the trail completes the circle. The Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians today, at 1,500 plus members, has developed with pride a comprehensive health and wellness center, a family center, (including college classrooms, youth room, fitness room and a recreation center with a full gymnasium), a community based residential facility, elderly housing and elders programs, Headstart and daycare, and numerous other programs. The tribe also has its own public safety and roads departments. The annual Pow wow's is held the second weekend in August in the beautiful Many Trails Park on the banks of the Red River, and honors all Veterans. In November of 2002 the Mohican Veterans Association erected a veteran's memorial. Other points of interest are the old Lutheran Indian Mission Church and School which are on the register of Historic Places and are currently being restored to their original condition. Tribal headquarters houses the government offices including a loan department for members,the tribal government, economic development, tribal communications and the tribal court. In part, the Mohican North Star Casino and Bingo's success as an enterprise of the tribe has enabled the tribe to accomplish many of these things over the past ten years. To diversify, the tribe now operates the Little Star Convenience Store (which offers discount tobacco and fuel as well as other convenience items), Pine Hills Golf Course and Supper Club, the Many Trails Banquet Hall and an RV park (57 sites). The park is state- of- the- art and is conveniently located directly in the woodlands behind the casino. With perseverance, the Stockbridge-Munsee have surely traveled any trails+and yet survive as a nation of Mohican People. Visitors to the community are welcome. For more information call (715) 793- 4111, Monday +Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm or visit www.mohican.com
Pine Hills Golf Course and Supper Club Nestled in the beautiful northwoods of Wisconsin, Pine Hills Golf Course and Supper Club, and The Many Trails Banquet Hall offer sensational golf, fine dining and your choice of two banquet facilities. You can experience a round of golf on our stunning 18-hole course, magnificently sculpted into the landscape. Dine in the charm of the warmly decorated Pine Hills restaurant or enjoy your meal with a spectacular view on the deck of the clubhouse. The Many Trails Banquet Hall offers a panoramic view of the course and is available for meetings, receptions, parties and other group functions. Pine Hills Golf Course is open May through early November, weather permitting.-Many Trails Banquet Hall and Pine Hills Clubhouse are available year-round.-Located just 12 miles from North Star Casino, our friendly and courteous staff will make you welcome to a Pine Hills experience that you will enjoy again and again.-For directions or more information, please call 715-787-3778. The Boys Who Ascended to the Sky Seven boys were selected by a luk-tha-weel-nu to be tested by isolation and fasting for their strength of will and ability to receive the mystic power. They were taken to an uninhabited island and left there. The luk-tha-weel-nu told them "when I come, you must be here to meet me. You shall stand in a row, the eldest on the right. I leave you nothing to eat. No man lives on this island, nor do any pass this way. I hope you are strong in body and mind for this is no small trial you are asked to bear. Aniishik (thanks), I go." At sunrise the next day the luk-tha-weel-nu in his canoe approached the island and there he saw the boys standing as he had instructed them. He took out a boiled cornmeal cake of a size that would lay in a man- palm, and a small bundle of sticks. Each of the sticks was sharpened to a fine point and were the length of a man- opened palm and the thickness of an arrow. To each of the boys he gave one of the sticks and then addressed them. "Using the sharpened sticks you must try to impale the corn cake when I toss it toward you. If you are successful you may eat the cake. If not and it drops to the ground, it must remain there." None were able to impale the cake and he gathered them up from the ground. "Sun up I shall come again and you will try to impale the cakes. May your hand become steady, your eye true and your heart clean. Aniishik, I go." On the second day, one of the boys succeeded and by the fourth morning, those who previously had failed, were successful. Up to the twelfth day he came to instruct them and in ceremony on that day the boys became inspired of a power beyond that of their tutor. The boys, who had joined hands forming a circle, released hands, but retained the circular formation and the leader who was the first to impale the cake, sang "Nilu`nandalmi`sinah" and the others answered in chorus "Hau hah!" (We are all going away. Oh yes.) The luk-tha-weel-nu thought his eyes deceived him for as the step of the singers quickened, they rose in the air until they were twice as high as a man- head. There, at the sign of the uplifted hand of the leader, the boys paused. Said the leader, "If you or your people wish to see us look upward where the evening star is. And there, above it to the left you shall see a group of small glittering stars in a circular formation with one in the center." They again began to sing and resumed their ascent until to the eyes of the luk-tha-weel-nu they became invisible. The luk-tha-weel-nu pondered the loss with sorrow in his heart, yet received in humbleness the lesson of the futility of perfection in a mortal. Attractions Arvid W. Miller Memorial Library/Museum & Gift Shop N8510 Mo-He-Con-Nuck Road, Bowler, WI 54416 Mon.- Fri. 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Sat. and Sun. by appointment. Pine Hills Golf Course and Supper Club 5 miles North of Gresham on Big Lake Road 18 holes, carts, driving range, practice greens, clubhouse, food. (715) 787-3778 Stockbridge-Munsee Community Veteran- Memorial Located on Cty A, approximately 1 miles west of North Star Casino The Stockbridge - Munsee Band of the Mohicans P.O. Box 70, N8476 Moh He Con Nuck Road Bowler, WI 54416 Phone: (715) 793-4111 Fax: (715) 793-1307 http://www.mohican.com Lodging Information |