News

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

The Brothertown Indian Nation has been given a significant opportunity to present our heritage and traditions to Wisconsin and our surrounding Communities.  This is an opportunity we can’t miss. Please find below the details of the opportunities.

For application link or additional information, email Courtney Cottrell Gerzetich at Crtncttrll@gmail.com

To access the WIA Program Guidelines, eligibility criteria, and application, click ‘Find Out More’ below. Detailed registration instructions are included in the program guidelines.

Find out more….

Types of activities funded include, but are not limited to:

• Projects focused on the documentation, preservation, or revitalization of arts activities, language, foodways/food traditions, or cultural knowledge in Wisconsin’s Native American communities,
• Technical assistance and professional development to Native artists and arts organizations,
• Professional arts administration positions in support of Native arts,
• Presentation and promotion of Native artists through festivals, markets, exhibitions, various media, and other forms of presentation, and
• Planning grants in preparation for any of the above.

Work Samples

Along with the application, you will need to include a work sample. This is supporting material that gives evidence of the high quality and/or cultural significance of the proposed art and/or the qualifications of the people involved. Applicants may include up to 10 digital images, provide web links to audio or video samples, upload audio or video files, literary work, and – if appropriate to the 6 project – resumes or position description of the key people involved. Use the fields provided in the application form to submit your work samples.

• Images – For each visual artist involved in the proposal, upload excellent quality images of recent work in JPEG format (jpg). Applicants may include up to 10 digital images. Images that show past events or products appropriate to the current proposal are also welcome.
• Audio/Video Files or Links – For each performing artist involved in the proposal, upload an audio or video file, or include a link to an audio or video sample that illustrates high-quality recent work. Video that shows past events or products appropriate to the current proposal are also welcome.
• Literary Work – Upload (or include a link to) a literary sample. If not available electronically, mail a print version.

Important Announcement from Wisconsin Arts Board for all Brothertown Artists in Wisconsin

Once again: Calling All Brothertown Artists!!!

Upcoming Deadline Reminder: Woodland Indian Arts Program

The Wisconsin Arts Board is accepting applications for the Woodland Indian Arts (WIA) grant program until Thursday, February 12th, at 3 pm for projects occurring between March 15 and December 31, 2026.

To access the WIA Program Guidelines, eligibility criteria, and application, click ‘Find Out More’ below. The “Apply Here!” link will take you to WAB’s online grants system. Detailed registration instructions are included in the program guidelines.

Types of activities funded include, but are not limited to:

• Projects focused on the documentation, preservation, or revitalization of arts activities, language, foodways/food traditions, or cultural knowledge in Wisconsin’s Native American communities,
• Technical assistance and professional development to Native artists and arts organizations,
• Professional arts administration positions in support of Native arts,
• Presentation and promotion of Native artists through festivals, markets, exhibitions, various media, and other forms of presentation, and
• Planning grants in preparation for any of the above.

New, expanded, or existing projects are eligible. Traditional and contemporary art forms are welcome.

As a reminder, the program’s maximum request amount increased from $4,000 to $6,000 in FY24, and there was a change to the program’s match requirement. Please be sure to review the WIA Program page, guidelines, and eligibility details before beginning an application

If you have questions regarding the application process or would like to discuss a project proposal, please contact Kaitlyn Berle at (608) 266-8106 or kaitlyn.berle@wisconsin.gov. 

__________________________________________________________________

Copyright © 2026 Wisconsin Arts Board, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
Wisconsin Arts Board
PO Box 8690
Madison, WI 53708

Time again for our exciting Snow Snake Event with the Ho-Chunk Nation

Setup February 13th and Event Saturday February 14th

More information coming shortly about volunteers needed for the snow snake track setup the day before…

For application link or additional information email Courtney Cottrell Gerzetich at Crtncttrll@gmail.com

Proposal Deadline: March 31, 2026