Daycholah Center – The New Name

On September 9, 2021, UCCI announced that our Outdoor Ministry site in Green Lake, Wisconsin, is being renamed. The new name is Daycholah Center. Daycholah is the original Ho-Chunk name for Green Lake.

This announcement comes because of a thorough process that involved many stakeholders, discussions, prayers, and a deep desire to reflect the mission and ministry of UCCI. This new name recognizes that this land was and remains a sacred place for Native Tribes. UCCI’s Outdoor Ministry has a unique role and opportunity to restore the voice of Native Americans, acknowledge their stewardship of this sacred place, and begin a journey with this one small reparative step toward building strong, supportive, and sustained positive relationships with our indigenous siblings.

Our commitment to the sacred place that is Daycholah Center, and the community created when people gather there is not changing. Judnard Henry, Daycholah Center Managing Director, states it perfectly: “Renaming is an appropriate and necessary first step on our journey toward a future where all are welcome and included and have a voice. We will continue to grow as a sacred place of love, a sanctuary, a community of inclusion and belonging, a place to learn, and to connect more deeply to God and all others.”

Please take some time to view the presentation of the full renaming story below, then explore the additional resources and FAQs.

Download PDF document of story

Thank You

UCCI is deeply grateful to those whose life work has been to educate and inspire necessary change.

Hocak United Church of Christ at the Indian Mission in Black River Falls

Ho-Chunk Nation Government

The Alliance for Justice, Inc.

Wisconsin Conference of the United Church of Christ

Reclaiming Sacred Spaces Collaborative Team:

Larry Littlegeorge, Cari Fay, Joe Scarry, Rev. Jan Davis, Judnard Henry, Lisa Hart, Rev. Bob Ullman, Rev. James Schleif

Resources

Learn about Wisconsin First Nations and the Ho-Chunk Nation

The Alliance for Justice

Read Robin Wall Kimmerer’s essay “Speaking of Nature”

Wisconsin Conference UCC Resources on the Doctrine of Discovery

Frequently Asked Questions

Daycholah Center was officially rededicated with the new name on
Indigenous Peoples' Day, October 11, 2021.
More about this special event.