Explore Native American Traditions in Northeast Wisconsin

Oneida Business Committee

The enduring presence and contributions of six Native American tribes in Northeast Wisconsin – Oneida Nation, Menominee Nation, Ho-Chunk Nation, Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians, Forest County Potawatomi and Brothertown Indian Nation – have shaped this beautiful region. Learn more about the rich heritages that help define Northeast Wisconsin.

Rich History of Native American Tribes in Northeast Wisconsin 

If you drive through the region, you’ll likely see traces of Oneida Nation’s rich history woven into the infrastructure. From turtle-shaped roundabouts on Highway 54 to striking imagery of a turtle, bear and wolf – the clan animals of Oneida Nation – on underpasses, the tribe’s cultural influence can be seen and felt just about everywhere. 

Jameson Wilson, councilman of Oneida Business Committee and member of Oneida Nation, says Oneida Nation often looks for ways to share its culture and history with the larger community. The Amelia Cornelius Culture Park, for example, tells the story of the Oneida people through a visitors center, a veterans memorial wall, walking paths with signage and more. 

The Oneida Nation Museum and Oneida Pow Wow, an event featuring dancing, singing, crafts and food, also offer opportunities to share the tribe’s history in Wisconsin. 

“The history of Native Americans gets lumped into one story. There are so many different cultures, so many different worldviews out there. I think it’s important that all tribes have the opportunity to share their culture, their history, their traditional teachings and their language,” Wilson says. 

Oneida Nation’s contributions aren’t just cultural; they’re also economic and social. For years, Oneida Nation has been one of the largest employers in Brown County, fueling growth through gaming, tourism, health care and farming. Oneida also invests heavily in initiatives that benefit both tribal and nontribal communities. Partnerships with organizations, such as Discover Green Bay and the Green Bay Packers, exemplify the tribe’s commitment to the region. 

Strong Stewards of Sustainability 

When Chris Caldwell, president of College of Menominee Nation and member of Menominee Nation, talks about his tribe’s impact in Northeast Wisconsin, he is quick to mention the community’s remarkable stewardship of the region’s forests – a practice that has garnered attention from space. 

“When NASA first started using satellites, they needed geographic reference points,” Caldwell says. “They saw this dark shape on the Wisconsin landscape. That’s our forest, managed through sustained-yield practices for over 170 years.” 

By prioritizing the removal of sick, dead and dying trees, Menominee ensured its forests remained lush and vibrant while creating a sustainable timber economy. 

Through organizations such as Menominee Tribal Enterprises, the tribe manages and processes timber, creating jobs for both tribal members and surrounding communities. Menominee businesses also include a casino, hotel and conference center, all of which contribute to the area’s local economy. 

College of Menominee Nation, a tribal college that brings education and opportunity to the Menominee people and entire region, is another example of Menominee Nation’s growing impact. The college blends cultural understanding with workforce development, preparing the next generation for success while honoring the past.