About Us:
The Moka’aangiizisiban Tribal Museum opened in Bad River in 2024. The museum operates under the Mashkiiziibii Natural Resources Department, Tribal Historic Preservation Office. It features 551 square feet of exhibit space as well as archive and collection storage.
History:
The Moka’aangiizisiban Tribal Museum is the result of many years of dreaming, planning, and hard work. Bad River tribal members as far back as the 1940s indicated a desire to have a tribal museum dedicated to local Ojibwe culture and history.
To work towards the vision of creating a tribal museum, in 2006, the Bad River Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) applied for and was awarded a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The goal of the grant was to solicit input from community members and plan the development of a Tribal Cultural Center. The result of that project was a 5-Year Strategic Plan that included development of a small Tribal Visitor’s Center. According to the plan, the Tribal Visitor’s Center would feature a small exhibit and garner interest and support for a larger Tribal Cultural Center. The former Tribal Clinic was identified as the prime location. Unfortunately, over the years, development of the Tribal Visitor’s Center fell in priority to other pressing needs, and the building sat vacant for years.
In 2018, Bad River Tribal Leadership held a series of Community Listening Sessions to develop a 10-year Tribal Strategic Plan. At that time, the goal of developing a Tribal Museum remained in the heart of the community. The first goal of that Tribal Strategic Plan is to prioritize language and culture. One of several key initiatives to reaching that goal was development of the Moka’aangiizisiban Tribal Museum.
In 2021, the Tribe renovated the former Tribal Clinic to develop space for the Moka’aangiizisiban Tribal Museum. With help from IMLS and the National Park Service, the Tribe was also able to hire a Museum Manager in 2022 to develop that small exhibit dedicated to the Kakagon Sloughs. The museum and exhibit opened in 2024, fulfilling the dream whose roots were planted so many years ago. Hundreds of visitors have since visited the Moka’aangiizisiban Tribal Museum to learn about the stories, culture, and language of the Bad River Ojibwe.
The Moka’aangiizisiban (Rising Sun) Tribal Museum was named in honor of beloved and respected Tribal Elder Joe Rose, Sr., who passed on in 2021.
Location:
The Moka’aangiizisiban Tribal Museum is located at 72720 Maple Street in Odanah, WI. It stands in front of the Chief Blackbird Center, in a dark brown building with a rising sun on the front façade. The museum shares its building with the Mashkiiziibii Agindaasoowigamig (Bad River Library) as well as staff offices for the Education and Mashkiiziibii Natural Resources Department.
Hours:
The museum is currently open weekly on the following days/times:
Monday Closed
Tuesday 10:00 am-2:30 pm
Wednesday 10:00 am-2:30 pm
Thursday Closed
Friday 10:00 am-2:30 pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed
To schedule a group tour or visit during alternate hours, contact the Museum Manager.
Now on Exibit
Mashkiigokaang Dibaajimowinan
Stories of the Sloughs
The museum’s inaugural exhibit centers around the Kakagon Sloughs, an important cultural and environmental site for the Anishinaabe. This exhibit preserves and shares the stories, traditions, and connections that the Bad River people maintain to this wonderous place, where we harvest manoomin (wild rice). Featuring paintings, historic photos, and cultural items, the exhibit tells the stories of the sloughs from many perspectives. A feature piece of the exhibit is a 32-minute virtual tour of the Kakagon Sloughs, filmed in 2023 and interspersed with oral history interviews provided by Bad River community members.
Contact Information
For questions about the museum, please contact:
Paula Maday
Museum Manager
(715) 685-7840 ex. 1620
p.maday@badriver-nsn.gov