Native American Story Telling (Waika)

Gather for Waika—traditional Ho-Chunk story telling—where Gerald Savage brings Native American tales to life, honoring the practice of sharing stories during the winter months of December through February. Recommended for ages 8 and up. 

Gerald is a 2025 Illinois Humanities Road Scholar Speaker who features Native American History and Native American Story Telling. Gerald’s formal native name is Ho-Chunk Ska Ga (White Winnebago), and he is a tribal elder with the Ho-Chunk Nation. He will briefly discuss the reintroduction of his family into the Illinois, who he is, and how he came to be.   

Gerald’s grandparents were Chief Walks with the Wind and Stands on a Cloud. They were very influential in the teaching of Gerald the native customs and ways. He carries on his grandfather’s tradition of teaching people about their tribal ways and story telling.