Effigy Mounds quarter launched at ceremony held

The Effigy Mounds coin was released with much revelry and ceremony at the Waukon High School gym, on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017.

The coin launch was initiated by the playing of a welcoming song on drums, played by Native Americans. The chanting and drums welcomed a procession of Natives from The Andrew Blackhawk American Legion Post 129 of Black River Falls, WI, who present the colors.

Junior ranger Aida Frey led the Pledge of Allegiance. Frey visited Effigy Mounds National Monument when she was younger and became a junior ranger. Since then she has visited over 250 nation parks.

The presentation began with Jerry Gallagher, a KWWL anchor, acting as the master of ceremonies. Gallagher began the presentation by introducing Edmore Green, who is the chairperson of the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri.

Green spoke about the history of the Effigy Mounds, located just a few miles from where he was standing.

He mentioned that over 2,000 years ago his ancestors formed the mounds. He reminded the audience members how important the day is, not just for him, but also for everyone attending.

“I will remember this day,” Green said. “I will remember this place.”

Gallagher took to the podium once again and introduced representatives of Senator Joni Ernst, Representative Rod Blum and Governor Terry Branstad. The Represenatives read letters penned by each politician. The letters all stated the importance of the quarter and what the national coverage of the quarter means for Effigy Mounds National Monument.

After the letters were read, a special video was shown of Iowa native Dr. Peggy Whitson. She recorded the video while she was soaring above the earth in the International Space Station.

She commented that she is a “sense of wonder” to know that mounds are beneath her as she flies high above the Earth.

After the video ended, Effigy Mounds supervisor Jim Nepstad took the stage to drive home the importance of quarter and offer a few words of encouragement.

“Persistence pays,” Nepstad said to the children.

 

Nepstad mentioned that the quarter would help “honor a landscape that many view sacred.”

 

Read the full article in the Wednesday, February 15, 2017 edition of The Outlook.