waswagoning indian village

Our college group stopped for a tour during our trip to Lac du Flambeau. The main operator of the village opened up the village just for our group. She was extremely knowledgable about the Native traditions. We started the tour in the little shop that boasted several Indian made products. The tour guide was remarkable. She showed us how the Natives used several different types of tools, and engaged our group into Indian games. Seeing how the Ojibwae used to live was incredible. If you enjoy history or Native American culture, this is a must.

My husband and I first visited here with our daughter many years ago. Last weekend we made the visit with our granddaughter (previously brought another granddaughter). She is 10 and was totally engaged. She had "written" a report on the Ojibway culture for school and was excited to hear more about it and actually see some of the things she had read about. The guides are always friendly and knowledgeable - you never feel rushed. My granddaughter bought a ring in the gift shop made by a local artist that she treasures. This is such a great way to teach people about a way of life many never know about.

We have lived in the Minocqua area for over 10 years and this was our first visit to the village but it will not be our last. We had company from out of town and decided to take a trip here. Charlotte and her husband created the village so that they could teach others about the Ojibwe traditions. It is a continuous tour that you can join whenever you arrive. Charlotte's knowledge and stories were amazing and kept everyone from young to "respected elders" fully engaged for over an hour. The tour is very reasonable and I learned a great deal. It is only a short ride out of Minocqua. I wish that I could give it 10 stars!

Our third visit and we will be back! A very family friendly tour, entertaining and informative for adults and children. Many hands on opportunities for the kids, guides willing to answer any questions, even when asked by more than one child. We have learned something new at every visit. Have never had as amazing guides/owners as these wonderful people! Just remember the bug spray!

We've done the tour three times, and will continue to go as my kids get older. The tour is always entertaining and educational. Highlights include learning about birch bark canoes, harvesting wild rice, and my sons favorite: weapons. The kids always enjoy the firestarting demonstration, and the tour guides keep everyone engaged. Highly recommended.

I visited with my family (kids ages 4 and 6) in mid-June at the start of the tour season at Waswagoning. We were treated to a delightful experience. One child had recently learned a lot about Native Americans in school and I thought the visit would be a great way to encourage her interest and curiousity. The visit starts in the gift shop, where you can purchase tickets for a tour. The tour consists of an easy hike through the woods (there *were* mosquitos, so be prepared) to various sites. (My young kids, as well as older people on the tour had no problem with the walk in the woods; lots of rest time at each spot). Each site has different types of meticulously and authentically recreated Ojibwe (Chippewa) lodges, cooking sites, food storage, hunting structures, and tools. (One site shows the typical winter lodge and storage; another is an example of a summer site, etc). All tours led by a knowledgeable Tribe member who provides wonderful detail. To hear information and stories of how these resourceful and resilient people lived, while actually being there, looking at the some of the actual kinds of structures and methods they used, and being able to ask questions is a memorable treat! Kids liked petting the friendly dog in the gift shop, as well as some hands-one experiences on the tour. Total experience was about one hour. I had the sense that not a lot of people know that this wonderful place is there. Go! The real story of Native American culture and traditions (as opposed to the TV Western version of the history) is so little known and under-appreciated. I left wanting to learn more, more more!