News

The Brothertown Indian Nation Veterans participated in the Appleton 74th Annual Flag Day Parade on Saturday. Mike Pelky was not able to join us, but had every detail orchestrated perfectly for us. We were met with much applause, waving American flags and words of thanks and appreciation along the parade route. We were honored to be among the 92 organizations also in attendance. Special thanks to Dawn and Dave, our drivers, Hector and Reese, for their assistance; BINCC for lending us necessary items; Bay Trailer Depot for sponsoring the trailer; and the BIN Veterans who attended and represented our past, present, and future Veteran community. Finally, thanks go out to Mike Pelky and his family for making the medallions for both sides of the float.

The Brothertown Indian Nation appreciates all the Brothertown Veterans for their efforts and representing out Tribe and all those members ancestors who served since the Revolution through today. The Veterans also appreciated our Brothertown Tribal Family who also turned out to support our Veterans during the Appleton Flag Day parade.

Most importantly, the all Tribal members would like to thank each of our Brothertown Veterans for their sacrifice for there Service to the Nation!

*Thank you, Nicole and others, for documenting the event so we can share with the whole tribe!

Appleton Flag Day Parade June 14, 2025:

Article on KFIZ June 12th.

The Brothertown Indian Nation will be holding their annual Water Walk, Thursday, June 12, 2025 through Saturday the 14th.

The Water Walk is a ceremonial event to bring awareness that our waters need to be taken care of.

Starting Thursday around 7:00 am, participants will be leaving the water at the boat landing at Columbia Park in Pipe and heading south. Their path will take them through Lakeside Park around noon and then heading North on Hwy 45.

Those driving along Highways 151 & 45 around Lake Winnebago during these times are urged to use caution and watch for those taking part in the walk.

Link to the article here…

The Brothertown Indian Nation Veterans’ Committee and volunteers enjoyed a perfect early summer day for the Brat Fry, which resulted in a great turnout.   The customers were pleased, as few things compare to a beautiful sunny day and a freshly made Wisconsin Brat.

Mike and Nicole wanted to express their gratitude to all the lovely customers, the veterans attending, and the wonderful volunteers.  I, for one (and I assume other members as well), am heartbroken that I was unable to participate in and support the Veterans.  Excellent job – Thank you, everyone!

Thank you to all who voted in the 2025 Tribal Elections.
Thank you to our candidates.
Thank you to our Election Committee for your hard work.

Official Results:

• Chair:
  • Phyllis Tousey – 218
  • Craig Cottrell – 90
    • Write Ins – 2
• Treasurer:
  • Michelle Wood – 287
    • Write Ins – 4
• Council Position:
  • Hector Marroquin – 294
    • Write Ins – 6

Congratulations to all Candidates!

Volunteers needed to make it a success again this year!

I’m reaching out to Brothertown members and friends interested in helping with some volunteer needs at Walleye Weekend this year (June 6th–8th).  We are entering a desperate phase where we must fill volunteer roles before long.  Below is some additional information on what we’re looking for:

• Volunteers to support Walleye Weekend at our parking lot, 311 Winnebago Drive, during the following timeframes. 
  • Friday, June 6th: 3-9 pm
  • Saturday, June 7th: 6 am – 9 pm
  • Sunday, June 8th: 9 am – 4 pm

Contact Dawn by phone:  (920) 929-9964 or by email: BrothertownOffice@brothertownindians.org

Volunteer sign-up sheet below was as of May 24th – Help fill it up! We need your help…

Deerfield Park District: Tree-Bending Ceremony To Honor Indigenous History

April 29, 2025 Patch.com (Deerfield)

Read the article on Patch.com here…

Speakers will lead a discussion about Native American Trail Marker Trees, their historical significance, and their role in navigation.

Following the discussion, guests will witness the commemoration of a new oak sapling, purposefully bent to serve as a future trail marker. (Deerfield Park District)

The Deerfield Park District invites you to a meaningful and educational event on Sunday, May 4, from 11:00am to 12:00pm at Trail Tree Park (375 Carlise Avenue) as we honor the rich cultural heritage of Indigenous Peoples in northern Illinois.

This Tree-Bending Ceremony will feature guest speakers and experts:

• Gail Spreen-Downes of the Great Lakes Trail Marker Tree Society
• Tom Smith, Tribal Peace Maker of the Brothertown Indian Nation
• Rob Sulski, Restoration Ecologist with Foot Stone Inc.

These speakers will lead a fascinating discussion about Native American Trail Marker Trees, their historical significance, and their role in navigation.

Following the discussion, guests will witness the commemoration of a new oak sapling, purposefully bent to serve as a future trail marker. This new tree is intended to carry on the legacy of the existing marker, which is approaching the end of its natural life. The program will conclude with a smudging and blessing ceremony to honor this transition.

74th Annual Appleton Flag Day Parade

The Veteran’s Committee is inviting and encouraging our Brothertown Indian Nation veterans to participate in honoring “Old Glory” once again in the Appleton Flad Day Parade on June 14th, 2025.

We, as Brothertown Veterans, have participated in the annual parade for several years. We do so with pride to show our respect and honor for all our Veterans.  This year, parade coordinators are pleased to focus on the 250th year of service to our country and our freedom of the US Marine Corps and the US Navy.

Take a moment to view the Veteran’s Revolutionary Memorial Wall (with 19 known Brothertown veterans who had served! 250 years ago during the Birth of the Nation)

Our Brothertown Veterans’ strong presence is more important than ever. Let’s come together on our float in the parade to celebrate all the branches and our relations/ancestors who have served, currently serve, and will serve in our military Branches.

Come and help us show our gratitude for their service. You will not regret being alone on this ride. Please have your Brothertown Veteran caps and vests on during the parade, showing our great pride and support of Flag Day and those who have defended it.

Please call Mike at (920) 892-2556 or the BIN office at (920) 929-9964 or email: binveterans@gmail.com as soon as possible to let us know that you will be joining us. As the date approaches, details about when and where to meet will follow.

Water and snacks will be provided. You will ride on the float in the superb company of our veterans. Please come and join us.

Great article by Frank Vaisvilas, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

**One small tweak our Brothertown members could add to this excellent article is that we were forced to accept US citizenship instead of asking for it. Our ancestors only wanted to stay on our lands with title to the lands they worked, just as we had with a past treaty. This is an important distinction, but the article is correct—we became U.S. Citizens 186 years ago. Read the whole

After President Donald Trump recently threw his support behind a North Carolina’s tribe’s attempt to gain federal recognition, some people in Wisconsin are wondering if there might be hope for an Indigenous tribe in Wisconsin to regain its status 186 years after losing it.

Wisconsin is home to 11 federally recognized tribes, and officials from Brothertown have been trying for decades to restore its status and become number 12.

Those efforts have the support of many local elected officials, such as several mayors in the Lake Winnebago area, which the tribe calls home. The Fond du Lac County Board of Supervisors and Gov. Tony Evers also back the effort; the governor already refers to Brothertown as Wisconsin’s 12th tribe.

Read Frank Vaisvilas’s entire article here…

The boxes include opioid overdose-reversal medication naloxone and are now offered at the Community Center. You can read the entire story here at the Fond du Lac Reporter.

The placement in the BINCC is due to a partnership among several local agencies fighting against fentanyl and helping prevent overdose deaths; Narcan is now more accessible in Fond du Lac.

Nonprofit organization Clinton Foundation collaborated with ADVOCAP, the Fond du Lac County Health Department, Holy Family Warming Shelter, and local parents affected by overdose to install Overdose Aid Kits (O.A.K.s) throughout the community.

The metal O.A.K. boxes include opioid overdose-reversal medication naloxone — commonly known under the brand name Narcan — as well as other resources.

Anyone can get naloxone inside free of charge with no questions asked, whether to use it in an emergency or to keep on hand.

Where can I find them in Fond du Lac?

The first of several new boxes was installed in the ADVOCAP lobby, 19 W. First St., on Jan. 7, and a second box at ADVOCAP is available on the back porch.

Previously, kits were installed at:

• the Gratitude Club, 295 Ruggles St., and Lighthouse Christian Church, 401 S. National Ave

As of January, the rest of the boxes are at the following locations:

• Beacon House, 166 S. Park Ave.
• Brothertown Indian Nation, 311 Winnebago Drive.
• Critter Junction, 154 Satterlee St.
• Holy Family Warming Shelter, 73 E. First St.
• Hope Lutheran Church, 260 Vincent St.
• Rainbow Bridge, 212 N. Main St.
• Sippel Funeral Home, 1311 Thorp St. in St. Cloud.

Please fill out and return the Survey so we can learn and adapt to what our Veterans need from the Brothertown Nation

Dear Brothertown Indian Nation Veterans,

I am reaching out to you in hopes of learning what interests you have in becoming a participating member of our group. We would like to know what if anything listed below might entice you to join us. There is a lot of fellowship and fun when we meet. We are very informal and welcoming.

If you have an interest, give me a call at 920-892-2556 for call the office at 920-929-9964 and talk to Dawn. Tell us what number(s) on the list would interest you. You could also check the boxes and send the check list back to Dawn at the BIN Office at P.O. Box 2206, Fond du Lac, WI. 54936. Or email filled out form to: BrothertownOffice@BrothertownIndians.org

I Hope to hear from you, Mike!

Download and either fill in the form on your computer or print and fill out by hand. You can email or send by mail.