News

On Saturday, October 17, 2026, a dual-sided historical marker erected by the Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS) will be unveiled in Brothertown by the Honorable Glenn Grothman, U.S. Representative for Wisconsin’s 6th District. The marker, which will be installed on a parcel of original reservation land owned by the Brothertown Indian Nation, honors Brothertown’s Methodist Episcopal Church on one side and composer Thomas Commuck (Narragansett-Brothertown) on the other. 

For over 120 years, the Methodist Episcopal Church served as a vital community center for local Brothertown Indians and settlers in Wisconsin. Located on the corner of US 151 and County Road H, Brothertown Indians gathered at the church for religious services as well as to conduct town business. The original log cabin chapel and parsonage were built by tribal members in 1842. In 1845, in need of a larger structure, a “logging bee” was held and a new frame church was constructed. The building underwent extensive remodeling in 1906 but by the 1950s, as the congregation dwindled, the church fell into disrepair and was eventually razed in 1967. The church’s iron bell is now in use at the Oneida United Methodist Church on the Oneida Reservation, while the large stained-glass windows found a home with the Calumet County Historical Society. 

The other side of the marker commemorates Thomas Commuck, a Brothertown Indian of Narragansett descent and leader in the Brothertown community. In 1842, Commuck provided three acres from his property for the construction of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He and his wife, Hannah Abner (Pequot-Brothertown), were early church members. Commuck became the area’s first postmaster and served as a Justice of the Peace. He was also a self-trained musician and his “Indian Melodies” (1845) was the first publication in the U.S. by a Native composer using Euramerican musical notation and the first Wisconsin publication to use shape notes. In the 1850s, Commuck wrote short histories of Calumet County and the Brothertown Indians for the Wisconsin Historical Society and local newspapers. 

This marker was made possible by a grant from the Pomeroy Foundation through the State Historical Marker program at the Wisconsin Historical Society. Calumet and Cross Heritage Society submitted the application in collaboration with the Brothertown Indian Nation and the Town of Brothertown. 

The Brothertown Indian Nation is headquartered in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. As a treaty tribe, the Brothertown were federally recognized until 1839 when their government-to-government status was terminated by a Congressional Act.The Brothertown Indian Nation has been actively pursuing federal restoration for the past five decades and is currently working with representatives in both the Senate and House of Representatives to introduce a Restoration Bill in Congress to reestablish Brothertown’s nation-to-nation relationship with the United States.

Brothertown Indian Nation’s 7th Annual Samson Occom Day Celebration featured a presentation by Mike Kelly focused on the myriad of reprints of Occom’s, “A Sermon Preached At The Execution of Moses Paul.” Moderated by former Councilwoman, Faith Ottery.

Mike Kelly is Head of Archives & Special Collections at Amherst College, where he oversees more than 80,000 rare books and extensive archival collections.

Recorded July 14, 2026.

Special Announcement:

On behalf of the Brothertown Indian Nation Tribal Council, it is with sadness that I announce the unexpected passing of Councilman and Webmaster, Willis Dee Ottery III on June 6, 2026. He will be missed by all of us and we commend him for his commitment to Brothertown. Please look on the website and the forthcoming copy of the Brothertown Messenger for more information about Will. Thank you.

Phyllis Tousey, Brothertown Chair

$20 PER TICKET

Tickets can be purchased by contacting Dawn at the Brothertown Office (920) 929-9964 or a member of the Tribal Council.

Tickets sold at: Brothertown Indian Nation Community Center: 311 Winnebago Drive, Fond du Lac, WI

• One winner drawn every day in September at 5:00 p.m. at 311 Winnebago Drive, Fond du Lac.
• Winning tickets will be placed back into the raffle and continue to be eligible for all remaining drawings.
• Winners will be posted on the Brothertown and Fond du Lac Bingo Facebook pages, as well as contacted via phone.
• Proceeds will go towards a down payment towards our new Brothertown Indian Nation Community Center.

Winners

Doors Open at 11:30am
Bingo starts at 1pm

Levi Rickert – Native News Online May 28, 2026

On this day in 1830 — 196 years ago — President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act into law.

The Act created a process that allowed the president to exchange lands west of the Mississippi River for the homelands of Native tribes in the eastern United States. In return, tribes were promised financial assistance, supplies for relocation, and the guarantee that they could live on their new lands under the protection of the United States government “forever.”

The policy culminated in the Trail of Tears — one of the darkest chapters in American history. Thousands of Native people died from disease, starvation, and exposure during the forced marches west, including nearly one-quarter of the Cherokee Nation.

Read Entire Article on Native News Online

Additional Information on the Indian Removal Act:

Article (: By Whatever Means Necessary: The U.S. Government’s Ongoing Attempts to Remove Indigenous Peoples During an Era of Self-(De)termination by by Kathleen A. Brown-Pérez (University of Massachusetts Amherst)

Learn more about the document and its passage at the National Constitution Center’s Historic Document Library.

President Andrew Jackson’s Message to Congress ‘On Indian Removal’ (1830) (National Archives)

Calling all members, singers, and non-singers- get your practice materials here!

Shape Note Recording Event May 17, 2026
Time: 11 am practice, 1 pm recording
Place: BIN Cultural Center
N1866 US-151, Chilton, WI 53401

Stipends available (no paperwork required) from the Mark Baldwin Memorial Fund to help offset travel expenses. Please get in touch with Megan at BrothertownCitizen@aol.com

The two songs chosen from Indian Melodies by Thomas Commuck were “Algonquin” and “Brothertown” for the Wisconsin Historical Society archive recordings.

If you’re not sure if you are a soprano, alto, tenor, or bass, you can download all parts easily (small-sized audio files) and will find the right range for you.

“Algonquin hymn” recordings to practice from: To download, (computer or Phone) click the three dots on the right on the page that opens.

• Algonquin – soprano (2x):https://brothertownindians.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Algonquin-soprano-2x.m4a
• Algonquin- alto (2x): https://brothertownindians.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Algonquin-alto-2x.m4a
• Algonquin – tenor (2x): https://brothertownindians.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Algonquin-tenor-2x.m4a
• Algonquin – bass (2x): https://brothertownindians.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Algonquin-bass-2x.m4a
• Algonquin – 4 parts together: https://brothertownindians.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Algonquin-4-parts.m4a

“Brothertown hymn” recordings to practice from: To download, (computer or Phone) click the three dots on the right on the page that opens.

• Brothertown – soprano (2x): https://brothertownindians.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Brothertown-526-soprano.m4a
• Brothertown – alto (2x) Shape Note: https://brothertownindians.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Brothertown-alto-2x.m4a
• Brothertown – tenor (2x) Shape Note: https://brothertownindians.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Brothertown-526-tenor-2x.m4a
• Brothertown – bass (2x) Shape Note: https://brothertownindians.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Brothertown-bass-2x.m4a
• Brothertown – 4 parts together: https://brothertownindians.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Brothertown-526-4-part-2x.m4a

Shape note sheet music download of the two pieces for practice, downloadable in one PDF:

Brothertown Indian Nation documentary, edited and produced by Seth Wenger, 2018. (recorded song begins at 4:02 following the interviews). This hymn is entitled “Old Indian Hymn”. This hymn is not one chosen for this recording, but it shows what a shape-note hymn sounds like in a group.

On February 3rd, 2018, Brothertown Indian Nation Tribal Council members and Brothertown citizens from across the country united in New England, Thomas Commuck’s (Brothertown/Narragansett) ancestral home. These Brothertown citizens were joined by members of their parent tribes, members of various other Native communities, and singers from the New England shape note community.

The Veterans Brat Fry previously scheduled for May 16th, 2026 has been cancelled.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

See our other upcoming events!

Date of Recording: May 17th
Time: 11 am practice, 1 pm recording
Place: BIN Cultural Center N1866 US-151, Chilton, WI 53401

Calling all Brothertown descendants—we need YOU!  Please join us on Sunday, May 17th, on our original Wisconsin Brothertown Reservation land for a unique Brothertown cultural event: shape-note singing!  The plan is to record 2 songs from the Indian Melodies tune book (Algonquin and Brothertown), written by Brothertown’s own Thomas Commuck (1804-1855), to accompany the Wisconsin Historical Society’s Indigenous display at its new Madison museum. 

You do NOT need to know how to read sheet music, nor do you need a good singing voice.  Brief instructions and practice will precede the actual recording.  Please see the details in the attached.

Additional information is coming shortly, which will include both downloadable music sheets (as well as downloadable MP3 piano recordings for all parts to practice from). Including for each piece: soprano line alone, alto line alone, tenor line alone (this is the melody in shape note), and bass line alone.  The final recording will be a reduction of all parts, like a Church Hymn, for each piece.

On November 15th, 2025, the Brothertown Tribal Council hosted a Veterans luncheon to honor our Brothertown Indian Family Veterans. Tribal Council members, Brothertown members, Veterans, and their families attended. The council provided a lovely luncheon for the gathering.

Mike Pelky, on behalf of the Brothertown Indian Family Veterans, was presented with the Pendleton “Grateful Nation” blanket from the Tribal Council. The gift will be hung at the BIN Community Center.  This was a very meaningful gift, and our Veterans are honored to have received it.

Below is the description of the meaning of the “Grateful Nation”:
The fabric of our nation is woven with the sacrifices of our Veterans. This USA-made wool blanket honors the selfless service of these brave men and women. Centered on the blanket is a representation of the American flag. Each strip represents a service ribbon awarded to Veterans of historical conflicts from World War II on, and stars represent the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five US territories. A portion of all sales of the blanket will be donated to the Fisher House Foundation, a non-profit organization providing residences for the families of ill or wounded service members.”

Veterans talked about their service history and enjoyed sharing their more pleasant memories of their service to the United States of America. Many photos of past Veteran events were shared. We had fun with raffle prizes from the Tribal Council and shared many smiles and laughs together. Taps was played at the end of the event to honor Veterans who have passed on.

Indian Veterans have long played a vital role in the US military, and their service will not be forgotten. It is in the telling of Veteran military involvement and the celebration of their service which helps us remember how valuable their contribution to our nation has and will always be. We thank the BIN Tribal Council for acknowledging the Veterans’ role and the sacrifices they and their families have made.

With each event held by BIN Veterans, we see more Veterans attend and participate. There are opportunities to participate in Veterans brat frys, bake sales, grand entries, local flag ceremonies, Flag Day parades, and much more.

Our veteran presence is growing, and we could not be happier about it. BIN Veterans, please reach out to Mike Pelky at 920-892-2556 to join us at future events and gatherings