LAKE MENDOTA CANOES: CONNECTING PAST & PRESENT

The video provides an inside look at the Wisconsin Historical Society’s prominent maritime archaeology program, the people behind it and the fascinating underwater stories we work to uncover. The video highlights the Society’s collaboration with the vibrant Native Nations in Wisconsin and the incredible connections, learnings and new initiatives that followed the first historic dugout canoe recovery that took place in 2021. For more information on the historic canoe recoveries, visit wisconsinhistory.org/canoe.

[@sisterpamop]

It is absolutely astounding to locate these ancient canoes, bring them up, and preserve them. Well done UW.

[@Caitlin-lw2mm]

So exciting!

[@cmj_87]

Beautiful 💗🌿

[@ryanhowell6282]

RIP Jim

[@thomasdykstra100]

Wonder if the "natives" of the past were as rotund as they seem to be in the present?

[@mekenockbellecourt9099]

Yeah those Sioux type Niijiwag would use those dug-out canoes, slow, but hearty , they would sink them because the lower oxygenated content of the lakes, would preserve them, you just fill them with rocks, and go get it after the thaw, which our Ojibwe canoes, which were much larger, lighter, and faster, couldn't do, as birth bark doesn't last in that way. Amazing; now give it back to the tribe please, be respectful of those whose ancestors built this piece of history. Miigwech'