I was there with Mr. Art Owen, to address the Native American Studies class, which was being taught by a white man, of course, such is Rochester's legacy. When the class discussion turned to the Ghost Dance and the Sundance, well Art wanted me to investigate. I did and now, there we were, in a small class, with students of every age, not talking about the Ghost Dance and sharing what we could about the Sundance.
After the class, the two Decorah's spotted one another. Who are your parents and grandparents? The "who are your people" test. I knew his people, but he didn't know mine, which was age related. I was considerably older than he was, and that is okay. Neither of us would want to change places with the other. As we spoke about our Ho-Chunk heritage and involvement in the tribe, he said something very odd.
"When you go to the General Council, you have to sit with your clans...we don't have a clan."
Ah, yes, it all started with Glory of the Morning and Joseph Sabrevior Decaris, I know. He went on to explain what clan he thought he was and so did I. He thought his dad said they were Thunder and I said my Choka told me that we were Eagle.
There we stood, at RCTC in 2016, discussing if we had a clan or not. I said that I was "issued" a clan by the enrollment office; Bear. He was told that he was Bear too. I told him what I knew, from the enrollment office tribal genealogist: when there is no Ho-Chunk father, then you have to go by the mother's clan. Not a well-liked choice per the purest of the tribe, who all have Ho-Chunk fathers, as if Ho-Chunk mother's were a thing of naught. Shame on you!
Only one time in modern Ho-Chunk history did the Elders change the tradition. This was after the harsh removal from Wisconsin during the 1800s', when many of the women were impregnated by white army officers. A Council of Elders (not a General Council) was held and they decided to let these women keep their clans, so that their children would not be clan-less. Another decision made under dire circumstances. Many Ho-Chunk families were affected by this decision and their clans remain in tact today. I know their names.
Respectfully speaking, though to the point, well known Ho-Chunk families have clans even though their mother's, grandmother's and great-grandmother's were robbed of their virtue and their children do not have Ho-Chunk fathers, but Glory of the Morning who married outside of the tribe in the 1600s', can not have a clan. Is this right? Shame on you!
From my research, Ho-Chunk women will do anything for their male relatives, children, families, and the tribe. Early Ho-Chunk women were fierce. They were not afraid to die or fight. Such is the legacy of Ho-Chunk women, but what of Glory of the Morning?
As I have pondered her legacy, I realize that Glory of the Morning's legacy was not to leave her descendants without a clan, that was the subsequent tribal leadership who wielded their authority and made her a thing of naught. As the tribe, and tribal leadership have struggled to be unified, clan assignments were made with best guesses per a scattered and somewhat assimilated Ho-Chunk membership.
No, Glory of the Morning's legacy was not to leave her descendants without a clan. Per the sacred visit quest dream of her sons, we can have any clan we choose. In essence, we can have them all! After all, Joseph was adopted into the tribe and given a name and a clan. Both of these individuals were real, courageous, and did what they could for their people and their children. Joseph left the sons with Glory of the Morning, and he took the young girl to be raised by his family. It was their choice.
For me, Glory of the Morning's legacy was to have her descendants seek out their lineage and remember from whence they came. We have come from fiercely individual, courageous, and purposeful stock. Glory of the Morning was a Peace Chief who proved herself through heroic actions. Such warrior-like actions of women who followed her, as Yellow-headed Woman and countless other Ho-Chunk women who have served in the military. Glory of the Morning chose to marry outside of the Ho-Chunk Nation to benefit her village and her people, and perhaps, out of love.
This is my lineage: Glory of the Morning had two sons and a daughter with Joseph Decaris, Spoon, Buzzard and Henu. We descend from Spoon>Shachipkaka>White Woman>Foster>Doctor>Choka>Vera>me. My Ho-Chunk women are NOT a thing of naught! And when and if I attend a General Council meeting, I will sit wherever I damn well please!!
Glory of the Morning's legacy was to show her descendants a way to live life despite its hardships. She didn't make herself a Chief, that was the General Council's doing. That was a decision that was made under extreme circumstances. Why should our people be ashamed of this? She did what needed to be done. Such is the characteristic of all Ho-Chunk women of Glory of the Morning's time and mine. My Choka's uncle Russius Decorah's daughter, Adelia, is a perfect example of a strong, courageous, outspoken, and knowledgeable example of Glory of the Morning's legacy.
In time, I hope the legacy that I leave for my children is just as strong, courageous, and valiant as Glory of the Morning's, but as kind, loving, with a bit of defiance as my Gram's, Marie Edith Crow Decorah.
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