A Brief Reintroduction of Native Americans into Illinois

Gerald’s topic, "A Brief Reintroduction of Native Americans into Illinois," is a program sponsored by the McHenry Public Library.

Gerald’s formal native name is Ho-Chunk Ska Ga (White Winnebago). He is a tribal elder with the Ho-Chunk Nation. He will discuss the reintroduction of his family into Illinois, tribal customs, the history of the tribe, modern natives, naming ceremonies, stereotypes, environmental concerns, tribal settlements, and reservations. Gerald is a past Illinois Humanities Road Scholar Speaker, an Illinois America 250 commissioner, and a past school board member.

Gerald’s grandparents were Chief Walks with the Wind and Princess Stands on a Cloud. They were very influential in teaching Gerald native customs and ways. He carries on his grandfather’s tradition of teaching people about their cultural ways. His program is about the history, past and present, from a Native perspective.