Role of French in Indiana history shown in Grand Kankakee re-enactment

Joe Zdziebko of Osceola held courtroom Sunday on the thirty sixth annual Voyageur Rendezvous on the Grand Kankakee Marsh Park in Hebron, telling tales of life because it as soon as was right here In Northwest Indiana within the mid-1700s.

Native People traded furs for items with French settlers and members of the French army within the banks of the Kankakee River and re-enactors helped guests journey again in time to expertise what it was like.

Zdziebko has been a historic re-enactor for 12 years.

“I used to be the previous trainer,” Zbziebko stated. He taught historical past and fitness center lessons and would regale anybody prepared to pay attention about historical past. When he retired, Zbziebko stated he discovered the 2 issues he wanted to take up the interest that has grow to be his ardour, money and time.

“All people has a interest,” Zdzeibko stated.

Martin Mitchell, 10, and his sisters Erin, 6, and Kaitlin, 8, listened to Zdziebko discuss in regards to the fur commerce as they dealt with the mink and beaver pelts he had laid out.

“We discovered about flags, weapons, bullets and furs,” Martin stated.

Mother Kristin Mitchell stated that is the second time the Crown Level household has come to the Voyageur Rendezvous on the banks of the Kankakee River. The kids are home-schooled and final yr’s go to tied into the training phase on the invention of America.

“To return and discuss to the re-enactors in particular person and see issues we speak about in books makes it extra attention-grabbing,” Mitchell stated.

“It’s an incredible setting,” she stated.

French Voyageurs paddled canoes by the marsh, pulling as much as the shore with their cargo together with textiles, cooking provides, ammunition and cord tobacco to commerce with the ready Native People for furs and beads.

Robin and Mike Lomalie, of Lowell, had been amongst those that attended together with their kids Zach, 19, and Brooke, 10. They discovered the main points in regards to the fur commerce attention-grabbing.

“They used to have to make use of beavers as cash,” Mike Lomalie stated.

Chuck Valentine, of Plainfield, Indiana, and Tom Wojcinski, of Hammond, had been portraying members of the French Marines. The duo wandered down from their campsite to gather a cargo of ammunition from the Voyageurs, and maybe a little bit brandy. French Marines manned three forts in Indiana on the time, Submit Ouitanon; now West Lafayette; Port Miamis, now Fort Wayne, and Port Vincennes, which retained its title, and had been tasked with offering legislation and order within the Indiana territory.

“We had been the native police pressure,” Valentine stated.

Each males, neither of whom are French, shared in thick French accents what their duties of the time had been with guests to the rendezvous.

“I identical to historical past. French historical past. There’s a variety of French historical past in Indiana that’s not talked about,” Valentine stated.

Wojcinski stated he fell in love with reenacting when he was simply 10 or 11 years previous and has been concerned since 1991. He portrays a French Marine for the Voyageur Rendezvous but in addition participates in different re-enactment occasions together with the Civil Struggle and World Struggle I.

“It’s simply enjoyable to speak to individuals in regards to the native historical past of our Area,” he stated.

Carrie Napoleon is a contract reporter for the Submit-Tribune.