The Michigan Maritime Museum will be hosting South Haven student Hayden Washegesic Wednesday, July 16th from 12:00pm-12:30pm as he shares his research on the Wisconsin Walleye War in his short performance, “Save a Walleye, Spear an Indian.” Hayden created this short performance to honor his own Native American heritage and presented this piece at the Michigan and National History Day Competition in the performance category.     

The Wisconsin Walleye War of the 1980s and 90s was a tumultuous time in the history of the Native American rights movement. Walleye spearfishing had been a longtime tradition and source of food for the Ojibwe Nation in Wisconsin, a practice that was protected due to treaties signed in the mid-1800s between the United States government and the Ojibwe. A legal debate ensued when non-Indian fishermen found it unfair that the Native Americans could spearfish out of season. The Walleye War were marked by an eight-year saga of protests, fundraisers, and media appearances against Native fishing rights. However, there were many voices that arose to call the United States government to honor the rights of the Native Americans to preserve their traditions and practices. Bringing those voices to life is Hayden Washegesic, whose presentation calls attention to a significant moment in the history of the Lac du Flambeau and Lac Courte Oreilles bands of the Ojibwe Nation. 

“The Museum is so proud to be able to provide a platform for this impressive young student to share their historical research and represent their heritage,” says Director of Education & Programs Ashley Deming, “It would be great to see people come out to support and encourage our community youth doing such exceptional things.”

Hayden Washegesic is a South Haven middle school student. A longtime member of his school’s History Club, this will be Hayden’s third year competing at Nationals for History Day. He chose to focus on this topic as it highlights an aspect of Native American history that isn’t widely discussed. This is also personal for Hayden as his grandfather came to South Haven to work with his father on the gillnet fish tug Elsie J as a commercial fisherman. Hayden wanted to pursue this topic not only for its broader historical importance but also as it relates to his personal family history. 

This program is part of the Museum’s year-long programmatic series Whispers Across the Water that showcases and celebrates the invaluable contributions of minority communities to Great Lakes maritime history and heritage. Through a dynamic collection of programs and events, this series amplifies the often-overlooked narratives of Indigenous peoples, African Americans, women, and other minority groups who have molded the region’s maritime legacy. This lecture series will continue monthly through November.

This series is proudly sponsored by the Nielsen-Wells Grant Fund and Mike & Susan Smith. Cost of attendance is free with Museum  . admission. For more information about the Museum’s events, please visit:

https://www.michiganmaritimemuseum.org/events/.

 

Event Details

Lecture Series- “Save a Walleye, Spear an Indian”

Date: Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Time: 12:00pm – 12:30pm

Location: 260 Dyckman Avenue, South Haven, MI 49090

Cost: Free with Museum admission