The Menominee are working to preserve as many strips of black ash bark as possible before the tree disappears, and with it, a distinctive tradition.

The emerald ash borer has nearly wiped out the black ash trees in Wisconsin. However, the Ho-Chunk Nation is preserving black ash tree seeds.

First, Crowley takes a fresh cut black ash tree and pulls off the bark before working with the log itelf. She then cuts along the tree rings to make ribbons, which are pounded and sanded.