The Ojibwe art and crafts display was a popular attraction at the event. The exhibit demonstrated the fine craftsmanship of authentic Ojibwe art. Fine items included beautiful jewelry, including some ceremonial jewelry, dream catchers, birchbark baskets, moccasins, decorative drums, dolls, religious items, art pieces and more. These items were offered for sale and many attendees of the workshop chose to purchase. The items are made by the parishioners of the St. Francis Solanus Mission and other Ojibwe crafts persons.

All proceeds from the crafts go to the St. Francis Solanus School which has been in existence for more than a century. The school is fully accredited: Pre-K through 8th grade. The school is a quality school and embraces both basics and educational innovation. The school depends predominantly on donations and is the only non-tuition Catholic school in Sawyer County.

St. Francis School and Mission is located on the Lac Courte Oreilles Indian Reservation of the village of Reserve, Wisconsin, approximately 12 miles from Hayward, Wisconsin. The school is staffed by the School Sisters of St. Francis. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The mission website is http://www.stfrancismission.org

On Monday, June 18th, Sr. Felissa Zander, head of the school staff, traveled to St. Lucas to visit the German American Museum. Sister Zander commented on the beautiful rolling countryside and the wonderful care of the farms and houses in this area. She also toured St. Luke’s Church, the historic Fort Atkinson and St. Wenceslaus Church, Spillville. Sister Zander was thrilled to visit Fort Atkinson as she teaches that history to the school children. She is also an organist and enjoyed the tracker church organs at St. Luke’s, St. Lucas, and St. Wenceslaus, Spillville.