Native American culture is a rich part of Wisconsin heritage.

One man has spent the last 16 years making sure his Ojibwe ancestors' way of life lives on.

In Ojibwe, Nick Hockings tells us he's from Lac Du Flambeau, the place where they spear fish at night using a torch. He's a member of the eagle clan of the Ojibwe Nation.

His name means enter the sky, circle around the earth.

He wants to make sure his people's way of life life is never forgotten.

"This 20 acres is all about the Ojibwe people and we're very, very proud to present it," he said.

His unique Waswagoning Indian Village, nestled into the northwoods of the Lac Du Flambeau reservation, represents just how his people lived on this very land, surviving with the help of nature's finest resources.

Waswagoning stays true to how the Ojibwe people lived on this land hundreds of years ago, like this summer hut, which is an exact replica.

"The motivation behind this village, the concept of everything has been to educate people about who we are as a nation of people living here," Hockings said.

Tours are available June through Sept.

Just two weeks ago students from the Wausau Area Montessori Charter School, who had just wrapped up studying Native American culture, came here so they could see with their own eyes everything they had read about.

"This is our culminating activity for the year," said Sarah Yoho, a teacher there.

Visitors learn how the Ojibwe honored the earth and its resources, the traditional games children played, and the tools that were used.

The tour is inter-active, and presented to people of all ages.

"The tour is quite comprehensive and you do learn a lot," said Hockings.