Please join Dr. Evan Larson and Dr. Chris Underwood as they share stories, photographs, and scientific results from a decade of tree-ring research conducted in collaboration with their students at UW-Platteville and at sites across the Driftless Area.

Effigy Mounds National Monument contains more than 200 earth mounds, the highest concentration of mounds in the world, some as old as 2500 years. In this interview, Barland-Liles will discuss the magic of the effigy mounds, the history of the land, the Native American Graves and Repatriation Act, his building relationships with Native Nations, and the investigation he led into a much-publicized federal crime that happened on site.

William “Naawacekgize” Quackenbush, member of the Deer Clan and Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, will speak about the continual presence of the Ho-Chunk in the Driftless Area.

 Despite the Northwest Ordinance’s 1787 prohibition of slavery and involuntary servitude, African American and African French people labored in bondage in the Wisconsin-Illinois lead district for white masters and mistresses. Why did the diggings become a center of slavery and quasi-slavery, and how did that work transform the area?

This presentation will focus on practical implementation in production systems that benefit both the farmer and the land: cover crops, variable rate technology, and extended rotation. Rooted in scientific principles published through the NRCS, we’ll discuss strategies that  help bridge the gap between technical applications and practices in the field. Adam Kramer will be joined by area farmers.

Join us for a presentation by EcoWomanist theologian and practitioner Veronica Kyle who will explore the intersections of ecospirituality, environmental stewardship, racial justice, womanist theology, and movement-building.

Winner of the John Burroughs Medal Award for Natural History Writing. “This is so much more than a book about mosses. This is a Native American woman speaking. This is a mother's story. This is science revealed through the human psyche. Hers is a spectacularly different view of the world, and her true voice needs to be heard” (Janisse Ray).

Join Maka Black Elk and Damian Costello as they delve into the life and possible canonization of Lakota holy man, Nicholas Black Elk; what it means to be both Lakota and Catholic; as well as paths to healing from the trauma of colonialism, especially boarding schools.

How often do we feel at the mercy of the events of our lives? Does it seem like the chaos is what is running the show! So much of our emotional, physical and, especially, spiritual energies are spent trying to limit and control chaos. In this retreat, we will explore how what we refer to as chaos is really the "stuff" of our spiritual growth.

Our living creation story reveals the deep-time values of differentiation, interiority and communion. These universal dynamics provide a comprehensive context from which to reflect on our tradition’s evolving religious consciousness and teachings. In this light we will reflect on Pope Francis’ teachings, Laudato Si’ – On Care for Our Common Home and Fratelli Tutti – On Fraternity and Social Friendship.
(image of Pope Francis illustrated by Greg Joens)

Pulitzer Prize finalist. Winner of PEN/Hemingway. "It places Native American voices front and center" (NPR). "An astonishing literary debut" (Margaret Atwood).

"Hogan brings her feeling for language and story to these quietly beautiful and provocative musings on the nature of nature" (Booklist).

"Curtice is a brave truth-teller and a prophetic voice we need to be listening to, and Native is a book that will guide us toward a better future" (Richard Rohr).