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www.driftlessjournal.com | news@driftlessjournal.com | 563-382-4221 | Tuesday, June 25, 2024 | Vol. 6 Issue 26
All things living and breathing, spiritual and earthly For indigenous leader Prosper Waukon and his family, community goes far beyond people. By Denise Lana Many readers may recall an award-winning television commercial that began airing in the 1970s on behalf of the “Keep America Beautiful” campaign – a Native American Indian was shown crying, a teardrop running down his face, as he witnessed people littering along highways and leaving garbage in streams. Although it was eventually criticized for stereotyping American Indian people among other issues, it was heralded for representing their plight against the destruction of land and enProsper Waukon speaks during a visit to the St. Anthony of Padua Chapel vironment. Five decades later and lightyears away from near St. Lucas. (Driftless Multimedia photos by Denise Lana) that commercial, accomplished indigenous leader and community figurehead Prosper Waukon has similarly devoted his life to keeping his tribe’s traditions and practices alive, including a long-standing respect for every living thing around us that makes up our “community.” During his recent visit to Decorah for the city’s 175th anniversary celebration, Prosper, the great-great-great grandson of Chief Waukon Decorah, paid a visit to the Turkey River area in St. Lucas. Accompanied by his wife, daughter, three grandchildren and great-grandchild, Prosper addressed a small crowd of local history aficionados who were eager to hear more from him. As the group gathered at the World’s Smallest Church in Festina, Prosper spoke slowly but with Prosper Waukon and his family in front of the last standing subagency cabin near confidence and power, describing the St. Anthony of Padua Chapel. Pictured l-r: wife Jan Waukon, Prosper Waukon, daughter Margaret Mary Waukon, great-granddaughter Luna Lazulie Waukon-Martinez, granddaughter Ciarrah Reine Waukon-Latraile, granddaughter Hancontinued on page 8 nah Dream Waukon-Wolf and grandson Takotah-Spirit Waukon-Latraile.
Sarah Brandt stars as Alice in “Bright Star”. In this scene she is surrounded by some “spirits”. From left: Nessa Kane, Alex Kane, Violet Hatfield and Sydney Landstrom. (Not pictured: Hallie Johnson and Jenna Hartz).
‘Bright Star’ Hit bluegrass musical this weekend in Decorah
By Roz Weis New Minowa Players is bringing the hit Broadway musical “Bright Star” to Decorah this summer. Directors said the show is the perfect summer musical: a sweeping story of love and redemption set in the American South in the 1920s and 1940s and supported by the bright and authentic sound of bluegrass music. The production is inspired by a true story and features a Tony-nominated score by Steve
Martin and Edie Brickell. When editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from WWII, he awakens in her a need to understand some painful experiences in her past. With Billy’s help, she sets out on a journey to unravel the mystery. What she finds is a surprise that has the power to transform both of their lives. “Bright Star” will be performed at the Decorah High School Auditorium on June 27, 28 and 29, at 7 p.m., and on June 30, at 2 p.m.
Prosper Waukon
Retired Reverend Terry Landsgaard (left), an avid historian of Winnebago and Ho Chunk history, shared stories with great-great-great-grandson of Chief Waukon Decorah, Prosper Waukon (second left), and family members while visiting St. Anthony of Padua Chapel, known as the “World’s Smallest Church”.
A romantic scene features Emily Schmidt and Carston Krieg. (Driftless Multimedia photos by Roz Weis)
Standing room only for Driftless Water Defenders inaugural meeting By Zach Jensen Nearly 200 Decorah area residents attended the inaugural meeting of the Driftless Water Defenders (DWD) Saturday, June 15, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church to listen to author, activist and retired sci-
entist Chris Jones share what he knows about Iowa’s declining water quality. Jones is the president of DWD, an Iowa non-profit corporation, which advocates, educates and litigates to defend Iowa citizens’ fundamental right to access clean water for
their homes, businesses and recreational needs. “Iowans have a fundamental right to clean water,” said Jones. “Iowa’s water quality is getting worse, and we need organized citizen involvement if we’re going to turn things around. DWD’s members will
push forward with needed clean water advocacy.” At the meeting, Jones described and answered questions about the deteriorating condition of lakes, aquifers, streams and rivers in Iowa’s Driftless area — some of which are becoming unsafe for drinking,
fishing and swimming. High nitrate pollution levels have been linked by research scientists to various cancers and are directly harmful to wildlife. Information presented at the meeting said Iowa currently has the second highest rate of cancer of any U.S. state, and that
cancer rate is rising faster than in any other state. Nitrate pollution feeds algae blooms, which kill fish and can poison humans with cyanotoxins.
Driftless water
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