There’s many ways to learn, explore, experience nature and have fun at the Confluence Learning Center!
Would you like to see a program here or hold a program? Please email [email protected]
Click the “Categories” button below to see programs and events specifically for youth, adults, families, and free programs!
The Search for Ke-Chunk Village At The Confluence
At the confluence of Turtle Creek and the Rock River there once was a very large Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) settlement called Ke-Chunk (Kečąk) or Turtle Village. The Ho-Chunk lived all along Turtle Creek until 1832. “We Once Lived Here: The Ho-Chunk at Ke-Chunk Village” series features a variety of programs held throughout the year at Nature At The Confluence that highlights the culture and heritage of historic and contemporary Native American Indians.
Dr. Bill Green
The Search for Ke-Chunk Village: In this free program, Dr. Bill Green will present findings from his archaeological research along Turtle Creek on the current Confluence Campus in the summer of 2012 which resulted in his report “The Search for Ke-Chunk”. Come learn what we know about Ke-Chunk Village and why people called this area home. We’ll start indoors with a visual presentation and discussion, then walk the confluence property to learn more (less than quarter mile).
BIO: Dr. Bill Green recently retired from Beloit College where he was Adjunct Professor of Anthropology and Chair, Museum Studies Program. His major professional interests include North American archaeology, ethnohistory, and ethnology. Dr. Green actively conducts archaeological studies of Woodland communities occupied 1000-2000 years ago in the Mississippi River valley.
While this program is offered free to the public, donations are appreciated to support bringing programs like this to the community.
See all programs from the We Once Lived Here: The Ho-Chunk at Ke-Chunk Village Learning Series
Would you like to be informed of new programs about the history of the confluence? Sign up below.
Bobcat photo from the IL DNR website
Presented by Jennifer Kuroda, Founder of the Illinois Bobcat Foundation
Bobcats, named for their short, bobbed tail, are about twice the size of a common house cat. They use their keen sight and hearing to hunt rabbits, squirrels, small rodents and some birds. They are mostly nocturnal, reclusive animals that prefer forested or wooded areas. Once hunted almost to extinction in the Midwest, bobcats have been making a comeback over the past 40 years.
In this talk, Jennifer will cover every facet of the elusive cats, including history, biology, predator perception, and management. Information about the ongoing bobcat population study by Dr. Jacques at Western Illinois University will also be discussed.
Jennifer will have a table of items that includes scat, skull, etc. She will offer a bobcat tracking activity to kids following the presentation.
BIO: Jennifer Kuroda is the founder of the Illinois Bobcat Foundation. She received her B.S. from the Rockford University and is a life-long resident of Rockford, Illinois. She serves on the Board of the Sinnissippi Audubon and has been a nature lover since she was a young girl.
A Program Of Our 2019 Learning Series – Kečąk: We Once Lived Here | The Ho-Chunk At Ke-Chunk Village
Janice Rice, a member of Ho-Chunk Nation, invites you to listen and envision a walk amidst the beauty of her ancestral homelands. Rice is a retired librarian with a focus on American Indian resources, literature, culture, history, language preservation & revitalization. $5 suggested donation.
Would you like to be informed of new programs about the history of the confluence? Sign up below.
Who Once Lived Here? | Ke-Chunk Village At The Confluence
A Program Of Our 2019 Learning Series – Kečąk: We Once Lived Here | The Ho-Chunk At Ke-Chunk Village
This program will also be offered on Sunday, August 11 and Saturday, September 7 at 1:00 p.m.
At the confluence of Turtle Creek and the Rock River there once was a very large Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) settlement called Ke-Chunk (Kečąk) or Turtle Village. The Ho-Chunk lived all along Turtle Creek until 1832. “We Once Lived Here: The Ho-Chunk at Ke-Chunk Village” series features a variety of programs held throughout the year at Nature At The Confluence that highlights the culture and heritage of historic and contemporary Native American Indians. Come learn what we know about Turtle Village and why people called this area home. We’ll start indoors with a visual presentation, and then walk the confluence property to learn more (less than quarter mile).
Presented by Therese Oldenburg, Executive Director, Nature At The Confluence.
- $5 suggested donation.
- Program for all ages.
Would you like to be informed of new programs about the history of the confluence? Sign up below.
Community Fire and Drum & Percussion Circle
Join in the fun each month on the 3rd Thursday, June-Sept, 6:30-8:00pm. Whether you’re a seasoned drummer, or have never picked up a drum, you are invited to participate! We have all kinds of fun percussion instruments for you to try!
- Different themes each month.
- Free S’mores are always part of the fun.
- No registration, Free event!
- Fun for the whole family!
Dressed in Jingle Dress regalia, Kim Sigafus, an Ojibwa author and speaker, will share her American Indian heritage and culture through music and dance. She will explain the importance of Native ceremonies and why music is a key component to them. The audience will be invited to learn traditional songs in the Native language and can participate in a pow wow circle where the audience can sing, play a rain stick or drum, and dance. Kim Sigafus is an internationally published award-winning Ojibwa author and speaker. Her family is from White Earth Reservation in Minnesota. Kim’s Ojibwa name, Bekaadiziikwe, means “Quiet Woman.” Kim is an Illinois Humanities Road Scholar and this program is supported by the Illinois Humanities Road Scholar program.
This is a free program for all ages.
A Program Of Our 2019 Learning Series – Kečąk: We Once Lived Here | The Ho-Chunk At Ke-Chunk Village
Would you like to be informed of new programs about the history of the confluence? Sign up below.
Community Fire and Drum & Percussion Circle
Join in the fun each month on the 3rd Thursday, June-Sept, 6:30-8:00pm. Whether you’re a seasoned drummer, or have never picked up a drum, you are invited to participate! We have all kinds of fun percussion instruments for you to try!
- Different themes each month.
- Free S’mores are always part of the fun.
- No registration, Free event!
- Fun for the whole family!
Who Once Lived Here? | Ke-Chunk Village At The Confluence
A Program Of Our 2019 Learning Series – Kečąk: We Once Lived Here | The Ho-Chunk At Ke-Chunk Village
This program will also be offered on Sunday, August 11 and Saturday, September 7 at 1:00 p.m.
At the confluence of Turtle Creek and the Rock River there once was a very large Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) settlement called Ke-Chunk (Kečąk) or Turtle Village. The Ho-Chunk lived all along Turtle Creek until 1832. “We Once Lived Here: The Ho-Chunk at Ke-Chunk Village” series features a variety of programs held throughout the year at Nature At The Confluence that highlights the culture and heritage of historic and contemporary Native American Indians. Come learn what we know about Turtle Village and why people called this area home. We’ll start indoors with a visual presentation, and then walk the confluence property to learn more (less than quarter mile).
Presented by Therese Oldenburg, Executive Director, Nature At The Confluence.
- $5 suggested donation.
- Program for all ages.
Would you like to be informed of new programs about the history of the confluence? Sign up below.
Community Fire and Drum & Percussion Circle
Join in the fun each month on the 3rd Thursday, June-Sept, 6:30-8:00pm. Whether you’re a seasoned drummer, or have never picked up a drum, you are invited to participate! We have all kinds of fun percussion instruments for you to try!
- Different themes each month.
- Free S’mores are always part of the fun.
- No registration, Free event!
- Fun for the whole family!
Who Once Lived Here? | Ke-Chunk Village At The Confluence
A Program Of Our 2019 Learning Series – Kečąk: We Once Lived Here | The Ho-Chunk At Ke-Chunk Village
This program will also be offered on Sunday, August 11 and Saturday, September 7 at 1:00 p.m.
At the confluence of Turtle Creek and the Rock River there once was a very large Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) settlement called Ke-Chunk (Kečąk) or Turtle Village. The Ho-Chunk lived all along Turtle Creek until 1832. “We Once Lived Here: The Ho-Chunk at Ke-Chunk Village” series features a variety of programs held throughout the year at Nature At The Confluence that highlights the culture and heritage of historic and contemporary Native American Indians. Come learn what we know about Turtle Village and why people called this area home. We’ll start indoors with a visual presentation, and then walk the confluence property to learn more (less than quarter mile).
Presented by Therese Oldenburg, Executive Director, Nature At The Confluence.
- $5 suggested donation.
- Program for all ages.
