Simply Superior, February 12, 2021

According to historical accounts, brothers Stephen and George Bonga, who were of African and Ojibwe descent, were among the earliest inhabitants of the Twin Ports. Host Robin Washington speaks with interpreter, educator, learner, author and Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa member Vern Northrup about the brothers and tells us of the little-known travels and haunts of Stephen Bonga on both sides of the bay in the early 1800’s,.

The Bonga brothers joked that they were the “first white men” in the Wisconsin and Minnesota frontier where they settled. The accomplished family was integral to the development of the area at the beginning of the 19th century, and an important cultural link to all its people. Washington and Northrup discuss their substantial contributions and legacy.

Also on this week’s show, WPR’s Ezra Wall speaks with Dale Knapp from the Wisconsin Counties Association, who shares insights from a recent study of rural broadband internet access in the state. We’ll hear what the data from researchers shows about the challenges to connectivity for our region.