Native American artist honors Chief Ahuchoga (Blue Wing) at mural dedication ceremony
By Tim Wohlers
We all feel the need to honor the ones who came before us. And after hearing about the great Ho-Chunk Chief Ahuchoga, Joann Mundth Douglas felt that need. So to honor Ahuchoga, Douglas, the Executive Director of Reedsburg Artslink decided that a mural should be dedicated in memory of the honorable Indian chief.
“I had heard the story of what happened with Ahuchoga,” Douglas said. “And I was just so touched by that story.”
To make her vision a reality, Douglas recruited renowned Native American artist Wesley May. May created the mural with the helping hands of the Reedsburg community, where the painting will hang for at least the next five years. The dedication ceremony took place at Harvest Park on Saturday, October 8, and drew in many residents of the city. The artist hopes that the painting will give Ahuchoga the recognition that he deserves.
“The goal is to keep his legacy alive,” May said. “He was considered one of the founding members of Reedsburg.”
The future of the mural remains unknown, as does the fate of the building upon which it has been displayed. But May hopes that the mural can become a permanent fixture somewhere in the community.
“It’s going to be up there for a while,” May said.
Hopefully, the mural will stand the test of time. That way, residents of Reedsburg can always remember the great Ahuchoga.
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