Big Drum Hall Construction Underway at LCO

by Lewis White and Jim Miller, Chi dewe'igan Owners

The Big Drum Hall itself was a historical log building bought at a low cost from the Tony Wise family of Hayward. It was a total of 2,500 square feet and previously used as the Cook Shanty, which was part of the historic Historyland, a popular tourist destination in Hayward for decades throughout the mid-late 20th century.

Historyland comprised of the lumberjack village and most importantly, it was a traditional Ojibwe village in which many of our tribal people worked showcasing cultural activities and pow wows. The Cook Shanty was not only a lumberjack style restaurant during this era, but it also became a significant place for Ojibwe social and ceremonial gatherings, such as naming ceremonies and funerals for many, many years during and after Historyland's closure.

The total loss of our building was a shock to the Big Drum people and our families. These actions instigated by other LCO people were the last thing we believed could ever happen to our ceremonial sites on the reservation. After speaking with an elder from Lac du Flambeau, he stated, “Do not hate back as the spirits will take care of this.” We needed to hear such words. In several subsequent meetings, we decided as a group to move forward to try to rebuild to once again provide a home for our ceremonies and drums.