A group of Menominee water protectors, led by Dawn M. Wilber and Wayne Swett, have successfully launched a traditional dugout canoe, marking a historic moment for the community. The canoe, called Maeqtek-ōs in the Menominee language, was constructed over the course of a month, with community members working together to burn, scrape, debark, and sand a 17-foot-long pine log into a full-fledged canoe.

A Community Effort

The project was driven by a desire to reconnect with the community’s ancestral heritage and cultural traditions. The canoe’s construction was a collaborative effort, with many community members contributing their time and skills to the project. The finished canoe features silhouettes of different woodland animals, a testament to the community’s connection with nature and their cultural heritage.

According to Oralann Caldwell, a Menominee and Anishinaabe elder, the canoe’s launch is a significant event for the community, marking a return to traditional practices and a celebration of the community’s history and culture. The canoe will be used for various community activities, including harvesting wild rice later this year.

The launch of the canoe was preceded by a water ceremony, which was attended by community members and marked the beginning of a new chapter in the community’s cultural and traditional practices. The ceremony was an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate their shared heritage and connection to the land and their ancestors.

Original reporting: Wisconsin Watch — read the source article.