Emma Big Bear Foundation

07/01/2025

This Saturday, July 5, we're featuring Fr. Terry Landsgaard of West Union and other experts in Native American history, which includes stories of our local icon EMMA BIG BEAR of the Ho-Chunk tribe, f/k/a Winnebago.

Emma Big Bear: Her Life and Her Baskets, will feature the works of Emma Big Bear of the Ho-Chunk Nation. Emma, the daughter of Chief Big Bear and Blue Wing, ...

07/01/2025

We hope to see you this Saturday, July 5 from 11a to 2p in Marquette, Iowa!

07/04/2024

07/04/2024

Who's ready to celebrate? The 4th of July Parade in Marquette begins at 4:30 on Saturday, July 6th with fireworks to follow at dusk. The Emma Big Bear Celebration runs from 10-3 the same day inside the Marquette Community Center. Remember the flea market is also happening this weekend with food stand and goes from 9-4 on July 4,5,6 and 7.

07/04/2024

The 18th annual Emma Big Bear and Winnebago History Day will be held on Saturday, July 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Marquette Community Center.

The exhibit hall is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., where the public can see Emma Big Bear and Winnebago baskets, jewelry, photos, artifacts and more. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., speakers will inform the public on Emma Big Bear’s family life and living by traditional means in northeast Iowa. There will also be presentations on how to clean and preserve baskets, the preservation of Native American pictographs and petroglyphs and more. People are also welcome to bring their Emma Big Bear and Winnebago baskets to be authenticated.

This event is sponsored by the Emma Big Bear Foundation, and more information can be found at EmmaBigBearFoundation.org or by calling (563) 880-9190.

06/30/2023

2023 Emma Big Bear Day program information below. Hope to see you this Sat. in Marquette, IA for our annual Emma Big Bear event.

06/10/2023

Save the Date:
EMMA BIG BEAR HISTORY DAY
7/1/23, 10a - 3p (program 11a - 2p)
Marquette, IA Community Room
Details forthcoming.

06/23/2022

JULY 2, 2022 ~ 11am to 3pm, Marquette, IA: Please join our foundation for its 16th annual program "EMMA BIG BEAR ~ WINNEBAGO HISTORY DAY". This program is part of the city of Marquette's annual day-long Independence Day celebrations and activities including a 1pm parade, all-day flea market, food and refreshments, river cruises, fireworks at dusk and more.

11/17/2021

Frank B. Thunder and Harvey Blackcoon Sr and Lena Blackcoon identified by Gordon Thunder and Faye Begay.

09/22/2021

Thanks for the beautiful artwork by lead artist MELANIE TALLMADGE SAINZ -- founder and director of LITTLE EAGLE ARTS FOUNDATION -- of Wisconsin Dells, who is a close family member to EMMA BIG BEAR HOLT. Tallmadge Sainz collaborated with her husband, master carpenter FELIX SAINZ JR., Milwaukee artists MUNEER BAHAUDDEEN and MARTINA PATTERSON — part of the Rural Urban FLOW artist coalition — and local high school student VAL VASQUEZ, a Ho-Chunk member, on the mural. They’ve been working on it nearly every day since June 1, 2021. Please also note that the story behind the art is very interesting and intriguing, passed down from Tallmadge Sainz's Ho-Chunk ancestors. EMMA BIG BEAR FOUNDATION is thankful that this story is well preserved in this beautiful piece of art for us to enjoy for generations to come.

One by one, a team of artists and helpers lifted mosaic clay tile panels weighing 200-400 pounds each onto brackets along the inset wall Friday in Baraboo middle school’s new

08/18/2021

Many thanks to NANCY GRIMES -- formerly of West Union, Iowa and currently from the great state of Texas -- for donating five EMMA BIG BEAR and/or WINNEBAGO BASKETS. The round basket in the foreground was purchased by Nancy's grandfather about 80 to 90 years ago directly from Emma Big Bear herself, which was passed down to Nancy's father, and Nancy's mother kept clothespins in the basket. Over time, Nancy bought the other four baskets around northeast Iowa, and some were moved to Texas with her.

Per Nancy, "I believe it's important to preserve Emma's work and life story and so (I) knew her baskets needed to be brought home to northeast Iowa." EMMA BIG BEAR FOUNDATION is pleased Nancy knew the baskets have historical and cultural value and she contacted us to donate and preserve them for future generations to get to know and love EMMA BIG BEAR and her Winnebago artistry, family, and way of life.

EMMA BIG BEAR FOUNDATION is proud to be the caretaker of these beautifully-crafted works of art, and they will be displayed at next year's EMMA BIG BEAR & WINNEBAGO HISTORY DAY program & exhibit hall. Please SAVE THE DATE of SAT., JULY 2, 2022 from 11 AM to 3 PM @ Marquette Community Room in Marquette, IA. Be sure to bring along your EBB/Winnebago baskets to be authenticated by our on-site experts.

If you have EMMA BIG BEAR BASKETS or BEADED JEWELRY and don't know what to do with them, please contact EMMA BIG BEAR FOUNDATION officer Rogeta Halvorson and she'll be happy to help you with your donation:

(563) 880-9190; or,
[email protected]

06/25/2021

Please join Emma Big Bear Foundation for its 15th annual EMMA BIG BEAR & WINNEBAGO HISTORY DAY on Sat., July 3, 11 AM - 3 PM @ Marquette, IA community room. Please SHARE this post to help us reach a broader audience to learn about local legend Emma Big Bear & her people.