There are maybe more than you'd think. I've linked to a lengthy list of the hardiest:

Here is a link that might be useful: Ground covers for tough sites

Wild Strawberries (Fragaria virginiana) are nice.

I would stay away from most varieties of wild violets-they are some of the most invasive weeds in my garden.

Virginia Creeper can be very pretty on a steep bank. I have some growing up a fence-but I hear that it can be somewhat invasive as well.

Here is the list I have of Native ground covers.

Anemone canadensis (Canada anemone)
Antennaria species (pussytoes)
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (bearberry)
Asarum canadense (wild ginger)
Comptonia peregrina (sweet fern)
Euphorbia corollata (leafy spurge)
Fragaria virginana (wild strawberry)
Heuchera species (alumroots)
Juniperus species (junipers)
Maianthemum canadense (Canada mayflower)
Onoclea sensitilis (sensitive fern)
Opuntia species (prickly pears)
Osmunda species (ferns)
Viola species (violets)
Waldsteinia fragarioides (barren strawberry)

The plants on the list that I have so far are: barren strawberry, violets, ferns, prickly pears, wild ginger and pussytoes. The barren strawberry is the only one that is extablished enough for me to say it is a great ground cover. The others were new last year. The pussy toes I put in got washed out by a heavy downpour just after they were planted and they didn't recover so I am re-trying this year. I have a few ferns, but will add more this year.

I haven't really looked into the sedge's yet I will probably add someof those next year.

Pauline

Ooh, that list on the Extension site isn't such a good one IMO. Most are not native and many are invasive, to the point of being blacklisted by the DNR. Also, I guess 'groundcover' is subject to interpretation. I meant to say where "plants cover the ground like a carpet" as in even one foot tall is too tall. There are a few posted though that I'm considering.

The other issue is I've been staring at this area for several years and it just doesn't 'speak' to me about what would look good there!