by Michael Smith
Wabasha Herald
Sunday, September 19, 2010

“A Bridging of Cultures” took place on the Wabasha riverfront Saturday morning, and it was merely the latest in a long line of historic events that have renewed the city and restored a riverfront along America’s artery.

John Bouquet reveals the plaque that will be affixed to the Fountain noting who it has been dedicated to: his and his wife, Marcia's parents

The Fountain and Statue of Chief Wapahasha II that now grace the riverfront at the foot of Pembroke Avenue were dedicated Saturday morning by John and Marcia Bouquet, who gifted this work to the City of Wabasha in honor and memory of their parents. John’s parents, Dr. B. J. and Dorothy Bouquet, grew up here and loved this city, while Marcia’s parents, Gus and Vivian Marmesh, also were known to love Wabasha and spent a lot of time here.

Vivian Marmesh, Marcia Bouquet's mother, said her family was very thankful to have John as a part of their family and noted how wonderful she thought this new park and statue were

Vivian was present for the ceremonies at the fountain Saturday. The others have passed away, but as John said, “I think my father would be proud of this…and the Eagle Center. He loved to watch the eagles. And mom would be proud of this fountain and the benches, where people can sit and gaze out at this beautiful river. I think that Gus and dad and Dorothy are up there right now smiling down on us.”

Also being dedicated along with the beautiful fountain that was completed last July, was the Statue of Chief Wapahasha II, who stands holding a cedar branch over the very river upon whose banks his tribe resided for generations.

Because of that special connection to Wabasha’s Native American heritage, Saturday’s special guests included Johnny Johnson of the Prairie Island Indian Community; JoAnne Bird, the Statue’s Sculptor, and her husband, Gordon; Roger Trudell, chairman of the Santee Sioux Nation in Santee, Nebraska where Chief Wapahasha III is buried; and direct descendant of the Wapahasha chiefs, Ernest & Vernell Wabasha of the Lower Sioux Indian Community at Morton, Minnesota. Jackie Bird, JoAnne’s daughter, dedicated the statue in Native American song. 

With internationally acclaimed performer Jackie Bird, as she sings at the lectern at Saturday's Dedication ceremonies for the Fountain and the statue of Chief Wapahasha II Saturday are, from left: Mayor John Meisch, Johnny Johnson, Fr. Richard Engels, John and Marcia Bouquet, and statue sculptor JoAnne Bird and her husband, Gordon

Serving as Master of Ceremonies was Mayor John Meisch, who is about to complete his 24th and final year serving the city in that capacity. He said he felt so thankful to be a part of this effort and all of the other wonderful civic improvements that have taken place here over the past 30 years, including the National Eagle Center, which looms over the site of Saturday’s dedication.

“Many times we find ourselves saying we are ‘thankful to be a part of something very special.’ This is one of them.”

Meisch thanked the Bouquets for their love for their community and for this tremendous gift to Wabasha. “We are so blessed and fortunate for people such as John and Marcia and their family who continually give back to their home towns. This is a marvelous contribution to our community.”

Johnny Johnson, Councilmember of the Prairie Island Indian Community speaks to the audience at Saturday's ceremony

Meisch read a congratulatory letter from U. S. Senator Al Franken, who called Wabasha and the fountain and statue “unique” and said the city will always be a shining example of working together for the good of all.

Fr. Richard Engels offered the blessing upon the fountain and statue, and, as noted, Jackie Bird also blessed each with a native American spiritual song.

Speaking after Johnson was Roger Trudell, Chairman of the Santee Sioux Nation, Santee, Nebraska

Johnson and Trudell each came forward and spoke briefly about what having this statue here meant to them and their tribes. Trudell, speaking on behalf of the Wapahasha (who have since simplified the spelling to today’s “Wabasha”) family, hereditary chiefs of the Mdewakanton Nation, “This is truly a spiritual, significant time.”

John thanked all of the people who helped them make this fountain and statue possible and told of how it came about and then offered a brief history of how it got to where it is today—but not until he’d told a few stories of his mother and father and of how his dad loved to fish and hunt on the river, and watch eagles.

“In the days long before cell phones, when dad was out hunting or fishing and was needed at the Clinic (which he helped found here along with four other physicians), mom would call him in from the river by waving a white towel in the air from the front step of our house just down the street from here!”

As the man behind the fountain and statue project for Wabasha's riverfront, John Bouquet gave the main address at Saturday's Dedication

But getting back to the fountain and statue’s history, “We used local contractors in all facets of the work, he said. “I was brought up to buy local and support each other in business. We didn’t ask for quotes…because none of us had ever done anything like this before, so we had nothing to base it on. We simply asked them to provide the materials and services that they could and trusted they would be fair. In every case, they were. It came out better and more magnificent than we could ever have imagined.

“I was always ready to accept suggestions and ideas to improve this project and was helped in so many ways by that. I also want to thank Marsha and my kids for their role in this. I honestly could not have done it without them. I literally lived here for eight months while this project was going on and could leave everything back in Rochester at work and home to them, knowing that they were taking care of it. I didn’t have to worry a bit.

“We used 320 tons of stone for this project, trying to get it to match the stone work the National Eagle Center already had going at that time. We somehow got it all to come out right and I thank the local contractors for their amazing work in making that happen.”

John revealed the plaque that will be affixed to the base of the statue of Chief Wapahasha II, identifying it to visitors

John called the statue of the second of the three Wapahasha chiefs “the crowning jewel of the whole project.”

“What a finishing touch this was on this,” he said.

At one point in the ceremonies, gifts were exchanged between the Bouquet family and Ms. Bird, as well as the Bouquets and Ernest and Vernell Wabasha in honor of their mutual appreciation for this project and respect…and, of course, friendship.

John also revealed plaques that will be placed on the fountain and statue to identify who the fountain is dedicated to, and who the statue is of. 

The special guests at Saturday's ceremonies unveiled the monument to the three Wapahasha chiefs located between the Fountain Park and the National Eagle Center (in the background). On each of the three panels of the monument is a biography of one of the three chiefs

As the dedication ceremonies concluded, everyone moved over closer to the Eagle Center, where a monument to the three chiefs was unveiled. On each of the three panels of the triangular monument was a brief biography of the three chiefs: Wapahasha I, II and III. 

Former Mayor John Wodele said of the ceremonies Saturday, “The most wonderful thing about what John and Marcia did here, was not only pay tribute to the Native Americans who lived here, but to their families and all of Wabasha’s families. It was a tremendously moving morning here in Wabasha.

Participants in Saturday morning's Dedication ceremonies for the Fountain and Statue of Chief Wapahasha II pose in front of the just-unveiled monument to the three Wapahasha chiefs. On each of the panels is a biography of each one them. From left are Gordon Bird, Roger Trudell, Johnny Johnson, Vernell and Ernest Wabasha, sculptor JoAnne Bird, John and Marcia Bouquet and Mayor John Meisch

“The Bouquets have contributed  a lot to Wabasha through the years, but this was certainly the apex of their history here.”

And as the accolades were spread and the cultures were being bridged, what will remain for generations to enjoy long into the future will be a beautiful fountain park alongside America’s greatest river…and in the statue, a tribute to an American Indian, an American who had been among the first to inhabit this land and lent his name to a city, and who would also have likely been looking down and smiling at what was taking place here…in Wabasha.

Additional Photos
All Photos on this page Taken By Michael Smith

Hereditary Chief Ernest Wabasha VI, a direct descendent of the Wapahasha chiefs, and his wife Vernell, were here for Saturday's Dedication

Jackie Bird looks skyward as she dedicates the statue of Chief Wapahasha II with a Native American spiritual song

Marcia Bouquet's family was able to be in attendance for Saturday morning's ceremonies, including her mother, Vivian (center)

The crowd at Saturday morning's Dedication ceremonies braved the cold and filled up most of the fountain area, spilling over onto Lawrence Blvd., Pembroke Avenue and the steps of the adjacent National Eagle Center

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