Betsy Thunder (c. 1850s – 1913)[1] was a medicine woman of the Ho-Chunk tribe, also known as the Winnebago Sky Clan. Thunder is believed to have been born in the 1850s on native Ho-Chunk land near Black River Falls in Wisconsin.[2] Her exact birth year is not known due to the loss of spoken history. Thunder was part of the respected Decorah bloodline.[2] Betsy Thunder married William Thunder, a medicine man to whom she became an apprentice for many years.[1][2] William Thunder trained her to become a medicine woman with the hope of passing on the skills and practices of medicine men and women to future generations.[2] Betsy Thunder had four sons to whom she passed down these skills to, one of which, John, also became a medicine man.[1] Despite knowing little to no English Betsy Thunder is known for treating both Ho-Chunk and white patients alike.[2] Thunder was paid for her healing services in common goods such as food, clothing, blankets and other essential goods.[1][2]
