Download - Wisconsin Department of Tourism

12. KESHENAMenominee Casino, Bingo, Hotel &CampgroundN277 Highway 47/55800-343-7778, 715-799-3600www.menomineecasinoresort.comBlackjack, slots, bingo, poker, hotel andconference center.13. NEKOOSAHo-Chunk Gaming - Nekoosa949 County Road G800/782-4560, 715/886-4560www.ho-chunkgaming.com/nekoosa/Blackjack and slots.14. WITTENBERGHo-Chunk Gaming - WittenbergN7214 US Hwy 45866/910-0150, 715/253-4400www.ho-chunkgaming.com/wittenberg/Open 7 days a week, 8am-4am.Southeast15. MILWAUKEEPotawatomi Bingo & Casino1721 W Canal St800/729-7244, 414/645-6888www.paysbig.comHigh-stakes bingo and slot machines;fabulous new performing arts center.South Central16. BARABOOHo-Chunk Gaming, Wisconsin Dells -Hotel/Casino/Convention CenterS3214 County Rd BD800/746-2486, 608/356-6210www.ho-chunk.comHigh-stakes bingo and slot machines;fabulous new performing arts center.17. MADISONHo-Chunk Gaming - Madison4002 Evan Acres Rd888/248-1777, 608/223-9576www.ho-chunkgaming.comDejope features 1,100 state-of-the-artClass II bingo slot games, 10 ElectronicPoker Tables, casual dining at theGamers Grille.Southwest18. BLACK RIVER FALLSHo-Chunk Gaming Black River FallsW9010 Highway 54 E800/657-4621, 715/284-9098www.ho-chunk.com/blackriverfallsBlackjack, slots and bingo with adjoininghotel.19. TOMAHHo-Chunk Gaming27867 State Highway 21608/372-3721www.ho-chunkgaming.com/tomahSunday-Thursday 8am-Midnight. Fridayand Saturday 8am-2am.Travel Green Wisconsin CertifiedTRIBAL CULTUREMuch is to be learned from Wisconsin’s Native American tribal history; respect for the earth is anatural starting point. In summer 2012, the Red Cliff Chippewa opened Frog Bay Tribal NationalPark, the first tribal park ever to be open to the public. Located along the shores of LakeSuperior, this property is said to hold spiritual significance for the Chippewa or Ojibwe, withoral histories telling of a quest that led the tribe to the lakeafter hundreds of years of following signs and prophesies.This 90-acre primordial-like park with views to the ApostleIslands is spectacular in so many ways – its boundariesinclude a quarter mile of pristine sandy beaches, a canopyof rare trees, and abundant wildlife including nearly 90species of birds.To learn of the Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake SuperiorChippewa, visit Waswagoning, a 20-acre re-createdOjibwe village and living museum. At the George W.Brown Jr. Ojibwe Museum & Cultural Center, travelers cansee a 24-foot dugout canoe and marvel at birch barkcanoes while also learning about the harvesting of wildrice. Tribal teachings relate that the Ojibwe peoplemigrated from the east to settle where they found foodgrowing upon the water – wild rice.The only remaining coastal wild rice marsh in theGreat Lakes region is maintained by the Bad RiverBand of Superior Chippewa. The Bad River andKakagon sloughs are the first recognized “Wetland ofInternational Importance” to be owned by a tribe andare aptly referred to as “Wisconsin’s Everglades.”Above: Waswagoning, Lac du Flambeau.Sightings of bald eagles are always a glorious occasion here, with the region home to the largest populationin the Great Lakes.Wisconsin residents enjoy the privilege of being able to harvest wild rice in the state, with methodsharkening back to tribal generations past. Boats must be no longer than 17 feet and no greater than 38inches wide and must be propelled with musclepower using only paddles or push poles. Woodensticks must be used, with the tall stalks gently bentover the canoe and the seed heads tapped, withsome rice falling in the canoe and some in the waterto seed the bed for future years. The WisconsinDepartment of Natural Resources and representativesof area Chippewa Indian Tribes cooperate todetermine when rice is ready for harvesting on specificlakes.Finally, with reverence for those who came before,consider visiting effigy mounds in southernWisconsin. The Ho-Chunk are credited with being themound builders in the region, with large effigymounds in shapes of animals and birds created withprimitive tools by hand and yet so symmetricallyaccurate that viewing with assistance of a compassadds to the appreciation. The Kingsley Bend moundAbove: Ho-Chunk Tribal Dancer, Black River Falls.GLENN SANDERSONgroup near Wisconsin Dells is a 40-acre tractreturned to the Ho-Chunk Nation and being restoredto its original appearance.RJ & LINDA MILLERFind more fun at travelwisconsin.com or call 1-800/432-8747. 19